When Does Who Do You Think You Are? Season 18 Come Out? Is It Renewed?
Who Do You Think You Are? Season 18 doesn't have an official release date yet. Based on the roughly 13-month gap between previous seasons, expect it around June 2027.
TMDB
3.7
Seasons
17
Episodes
129

Diagnostics
- Network
- SBS
- Genres
- Documentary
- First aired
- 2008-01-13
- Last aired
- 2026-06-16
- Runtime
- 50 min
Predictive Logic Analysis
Who Do You Think You Are? has established itself as one of Australia's most durable documentary series, running continuously for 17 seasons across nearly two decades on SBS. The franchise's longevity and regular release cycle (with the most recent season ending in July 2025) indicate strong institutional support from the network. SBS, as a public broadcaster with a mandate for quality documentary and cultural programming, has historically been more conservative in cancellation decisions compared to commercial networks, and this genealogy-focused format has proven resilient with Australian audiences across multiple demographic shifts. The fact that TMDB lists it as a "Returning Series" rather than "ended" or "cancelled" aligns with the network's typical renewal patterns for established documentary properties.
However, the absence of explicit renewal signals or recent trade coverage creates moderate uncertainty. Without a formal renewal announcement or credible reporting from industry sources, we cannot assume confirmation outright. The July 2025 air date is recent enough that renewal decisions may not yet be publicly announced, but the longer the silence extends, the more cautious optimism should become. Given SBS's track record with long-form documentaries and the show's institutional stability, renewal remains the most probable outcome—but confirmation is needed to move beyond "likely".
What is Who Do You Think You Are? about?
Who Do You Think You Are? has become a cornerstone of Australian documentary television by transforming the personal obsession of genealogy into genuinely compelling narrative television. The show's central appeal lies in watching celebrities confront the concrete reality of their own heritage—discovering ancestors who were convicts, war heroes, or artistic visionaries, often upending the family mythology they've carried their entire lives. What begins as a straightforward ancestry hunt frequently becomes an intimate portrait of how the past shapes identity, as each episode traces the threads connecting a well-known Australian figure to the precise historical moment and circumstance from which they emerged. The genuine shock and emotion that registers on participants' faces when uncovering unexpected truths—a forbidden love affair, a hidden scandal, a relative's sacrifice—proves far more affecting than any scripted drama.
The show's distinctive strength lies in its refusal to treat genealogy as dry historical recitation. Rather than simply presenting a family tree, each episode unfolds as a mystery narrative, with participants following archival clues, visiting historical sites, and interviewing descendants of their ancestors' contemporaries. Richard Mellick's narration provides measured guidance through these discoveries, while the production team consistently balances the intimate interviews with broader historical context, situating individual family stories within the larger movements and events that defined Australian society. The tone remains respectful of both the celebrity participants and the historical subjects themselves, avoiding cheap sensation while never shying away from the darker chapters that inevitably emerge.
Across seventeen seasons and 121 episodes, the program has maintained remarkable cultural resonance in Australia, appealing to viewers who might never otherwise engage with genealogy as a hobby or history as a subject. Audiences have responded warmly to the show's capacity to humanize historical periods through the specific lives of real people, and celebrities have evidently found value in the experience beyond the television appearance. The long run demonstrates that the formula—careful research, emotional honesty, and the universal appeal of ancestry—has proven sustainable and adaptable across decades, with the show continuing to draw both established and emerging stars willing to excavate their family histories.
Themes
Is Who Do You Think You Are? renewed or cancelled?
Working toward renewal
TMDB status listed as 'Returning Series'
17 seasons and 121 episodes demonstrate sustained audience and network support
SBS public broadcaster renewal patterns favour long-running documentary franchises
Recent air date (July 2025) means renewal decision may still be in process
Working against it
No explicit renewal announcement or trade coverage yet available
Who Do You Think You Are? Season 18 Release Date
If renewed for season 18, the show would likely follow its established production and broadcast schedule. SBS documentary series of this scale typically operate on annual or semi-annual cycles, suggesting a potential 2026 premiere if greenlit in early 2025. However, without confirmation of renewal or production status, the exact timing remains speculative. The July 2025 air date for season 17 is consistent with mid-year slots SBS has used for this property in recent years, though the network may adjust scheduling based on production priorities and commissioning calendar.
Who Do You Think You Are? seasons
Season 12008 · 6 ep
- 1. Jack Thompson2008-01-13
- 2. Kate Ceberano2008-01-20
- 3. Geoffrey Robertson2008-01-27
- 4. Catherine Freeman2008-02-03
- 5. Dennis Cometti2008-02-10
- 6. Ita Buttrose2008-02-17
Season 22009 · 6 ep
- 1. Ron Barassi2009-09-27
- 2. Sigrid Thornton2009-10-04
- 3. Ben Mendelsohn2009-10-11
- 4. Christine Anu2009-10-18
- 5. Maggie Beer2009-10-25
- 6. John Butler2009-11-01
Season 32010 · 6 ep
- 1. Magda Szubanski2010-11-28
- 2. Rod Marsh2010-12-05
- 3. Tina Arena2010-12-12
- 4. Shane Bourne2010-12-19
- 5. Paul Mercurio2010-12-26
- 6. Georgie Parker2011-01-02
Season 42012 · 6 ep
- 1. Shaun Micallef2012-03-27
- 2. Kerry O'Brien2012-04-03
- 3. Melissa George2012-04-10
- 4. Vince Colosimo2012-04-17
- 5. John Wood2012-04-24
- 6. Michael O'Loughlin2012-05-01
Season 52013 · 8 ep
- 1. Adam Hills2013-04-02
- 2. Asher Keddie2013-04-09
- 3. Don Hany2013-04-16
- 4. Michael Caton2013-04-23
- 5. Lex Marinos2013-04-30
- 6. Susie Porter2013-05-07
- 7. Rove McManus2013-05-14
- 8. John Howard2013-05-21
Season 62014 · 8 ep
- 1. Andrew Denton2014-07-08
- 2. Rebecca Gibney2014-07-15
- 3. Jacki Weaver2014-07-22
- 4. Richard Roxburgh2014-07-29
- 5. Amanda Keller2014-08-05
- 6. Adam Goodes2014-08-12
- 7. Lisa McCune2014-08-19
- 8. Paul McDermott2014-08-26
Season 72015 · 9 ep
- 1. Geoffrey Rush2015-08-04
- 2. Toni Collette2015-08-11
- 3. Luke Nguyen2015-08-18
- 4. David Wenham2015-08-25
- 5. Dawn Fraser2015-09-01
- 6. Peter Rowsthorn2015-09-08
- 7. Greig Pickhaver2015-09-15
- 8. Ray Martin2015-09-22
- 9. Retrospective Special2016-09-06
Season 82016 · 8 ep
- 1. Julia Morris2016-09-13
- 2. Peter Garrett2016-09-20
- 3. Delta Goodrem2016-09-27
- 4. Mal Meninga2016-10-04
- 5. Rachel Griffiths2016-10-11
- 6. Shane Jacobsson2016-10-18
- 7. Jane Turner2016-10-25
- 8. John Newcombe2016-11-01
Season 92018 · 8 ep
- 1. Noni Hazlehurst2018-04-17
- 2. Charlie Teo2018-04-24
- 3. Natalie Imbruglia2018-05-01
- 4. John Jarratt2018-05-08
- 5. Justine Clarke2018-05-15
- 6. Todd McKenney2018-05-22
- 7. Ernie Dingo2018-05-29
- 8. Patti Newton2018-06-05
Season 102019 · 8 ep
- 1. Scott Cam2019-04-30
- 2. Jennifer Byrne2019-05-07
- 3. Marta Dusseldorp2019-05-14
- 4. Karl Kruszelnicki2019-05-21
- 5. Casey Donovan2019-05-28
- 6. Kurt Fearnley2019-06-05
- 7. Kerri-Anne Kennerley2019-06-04
- 8. Rodger Corser2019-06-11
Season 112020 · 8 ep
- 1. Lisa Wilkinson2020-05-19
- 2. Bert Newton2020-05-26
- 3. Cameron Daddo2020-06-02
- 4. Lisa Curry2020-06-09
- 5. Denise Scott2020-06-16
- 6. Kat Stewart2020-06-23
- 7. Julie Bishop2020-06-30
- 8. Troy Cassar-Daley2020-07-07
Season 122021 · 8 ep
- 1. Celia Pacquola2021-06-08
- 2. Malcolm Turnbull2021-06-15
- 3. Denise Drysdale2021-06-22
- 4. Jeff Fatt2021-06-29
- 5. Uncle Jack Charles2021-07-06
- 6. Grant Denyer2021-07-13
- 7. Chris Bath2021-07-20
- 8. Natalie Bassingthwaighte2021-07-27
Season 132022 · 8 ep
- 1. Simon Baker2022-06-21
- 2. Myf Warhurst2022-06-28
- 3. Justin Hodges2022-07-05
- 4. Dr Chris Brown2022-07-12
- 5. Paula Duncan2022-07-19
- 6. Matt Moran2022-07-26
- 7. Liz Ellis2022-08-02
- 8. Sandra Sully2022-08-09
Season 142023 · 8 ep
- 1. Barry Humphries2023-05-02
- 2. Jenny Brockie2023-05-09
- 3. Derryn Hinch2023-05-16
- 4. Rhonda Burchmore2023-05-23
- 5. Stephen Page2023-05-30
- 6. Peter Helliar2023-06-06
- 7. Kerry Armstrong2023-06-13
- 8. John Waters2023-06-20
Season 152024 · 8 ep
- 1. Manu Feildel2024-05-07
- 2. Miranda Otto2024-05-14
- 3. Kathy Lette2024-05-21
- 4. Wayne Blair2024-05-28
- 5. Pat Rafter2024-06-04
- 6. Melissa Doyle2024-06-11
- 7. Stephen Curry2024-06-18
- 8. Heather Ewart2024-06-25
Season 162025 · 8 ep
- 1. Claudia Karvan2025-05-13
- 2. Patrick Brammall2025-05-20
- 3. Mark Coles Smith2025-05-27
- 4. Gina Chick2025-06-03
- 5. Tom Gleeson2025-06-10
- 6. Camilla Franks2025-06-17
- 7. Marc Fennell2025-06-24
- 8. Matthew Nable2025-07-01
Season 172026 · 8 ep
- 1. Bruce McAvaney2026-05-12
- 2. Guy Sebastian2026-05-19
- 3. Episode 32026-05-26
- 4. Episode 42026-06-02
- 5. Episode 52026-06-09
- 6. Episode 62026-06-16
- 7. Episode 72026-06-23
- 8. Episode 82026-06-30
Who Do You Think You Are? trailer
Who Do You Think You Are? cast
View all cast →
Richard Mellick
Narrator
Where to watch Who Do You Think You Are?
See all viewing options →AI Verdict
Who Do You Think You Are? is a long-running, stable documentary franchise for SBS with a proven track record spanning 17 seasons since 2008. The show's most recent season aired in July 2025, and its status as a "Returning Series" on TMDB suggests continued confidence in the format, though absence of explicit renewal news introduces some uncertainty.
Live signals
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Interest rising
Verdict updated 2 months ago
Updated 2026-05-17 · AI-generated analysis
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Frequently asked
- When does Who Do You Think You Are? Season 18 come out?
- Who Do You Think You Are? Season 18 doesn't have an official release date yet. Based on the roughly 13-month gap between previous seasons, expect it around June 2027.
- Is Who Do You Think You Are? renewed or cancelled?
- Who Do You Think You Are? is a long-running, stable documentary franchise for SBS with a proven track record spanning 17 seasons since 2008. The show's most recent season aired in July 2025, and its status as a "Returning Series" on TMDB suggests continued confidence in the format, though absence of explicit renewal news introduces some uncertainty.
- How many seasons of Who Do You Think You Are? are there?
- Who Do You Think You Are? has aired 17 seasons so far.
- How many episodes of Who Do You Think You Are? are there?
- There are 129 episodes of Who Do You Think You Are? across 17 seasons.
- Where can I watch Who Do You Think You Are??
- Who Do You Think You Are? is available to stream on Google Play Movies.































