How to watch Who Do You Think You Are? anywhere
David
David has been watching TV outside of his home country for over 12 years. In addition to his streaming expertise, he has a wealth of experience in watching sports and documentaries, having spent many years following these genres. He is an avid fan of The Detectorists and Blue Planet, and also has a keen interest in English football.
Who Do You Think You Are? is one of the BBC’s most popular factual shows.
It takes you through the family history of a series of celebrities telling you all about the interesting and sometimes controversial characters in their past.
Unfortunately, while Who Do You Think You Are? is popular around the world, it is not available to watch everywhere. This means that fans from the UK overseas for travel or work, and those ex-pats who like to tune in, cannot see the latest episode.
As an ex-pat myself and a fan of Who Do You Think You Are?, I know this frustration, which is why I have written this guide which offers a clear and simple solution.
So, if you want to watch Who Do You Think You Are? overseas, just keep on reading to find out how.
What channel is Who Do You Think You Are? on?
Who Do You Think You Are? is being broadcast on BBC One in the UK.
The show can also be streamed online with the BBC’s hugely popular streaming service, BBC iPlayer, either live or on-demand.
Unfortunately, the BBC iPlayer is not available for viewers outside the UK as it is blocked for avid watchers outside the UK.
It’s hugely frustrating. I know, having lived abroad and tried to watch countless BBC shows. But the good news is that I found the perfect solution, and in this guide, I’m going to tell you everything you need to know.
How do I watch Who Do You Think You Are? where I am?
A small app called a Virtual Private Network (VPN) offers the solution.
By using a VPN, you can hide your actual location and your online data is routed through external servers operated by the VPN.
These servers can be located in various countries around the world, allowing a VPN to make it look like you’re in the UK even when you aren’t.
In this way, you can unblock and enjoy the BBC iPlayer from anywhere, and that means shows like Who Do You Think You Are? can be enjoyed anywhere on the planet.
Where to get a VPN?
Unblocking Who Do You Think You Are? using a VPN is a simple process, but the challenge lies in choosing the right VPN.
This is an even bigger challenge for the BBC iPlayer, which works hard to block VPNs. And I know from experience how frustrating it is when you have signed up for a VPN only to find it doesn’t work.
Our recommendation after testing extensively for unblocking the BBC iPlayer and watching Who Do You Think You Are? is ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN stands out due to its fast connection speeds, extensive range of UK-based servers, and user-friendly applications that are compatible with almost all devices. Additionally, ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Most crucially, it works perfectly with the BBC iPlayer.
Other viable options include NordVPN and CyberGhost VPN, both of which offer similar features and also provide a 30-day money-back guarantee.
However, speaking from personal experience, I can confidently assert that ExpressVPN is the best VPN to choose and the most reliable provider to go for.
30-day money back guarantee
How to stream Who Do You Think You Are? outside the UK
To help you set up ExpressVPN and stream Who Do You Think You Are? On the BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world, all you need to do is follow this step-by-step guide that I have crafted especially for VPN beginners:
Step 1
Sign up for the annual deal provided by ExpressVPN on their website, which includes a 49% discount and an additional three months without charge.
Step 2
Download and install the official ExpressVPN application either from their website or the designated app store of your device.
Step 3
Open the ExpressVPN app and log in using the newly created account details.
Step 4
Go to the Selected Location feature within the app, choose a server based in the United Kingdom, and make the connection by clicking the Connect button.
Stream the show anywhere with ExpressVPN.
Step 5
Launch the BBC iPlayer website or app and log in to your account.
From there, all you have to do is seek out Who Do You Think You Are? and you will find every episode from every season ready to enjoy.
30-day money back guarantee
What is Who Do You Think You Are? all about?
The premise of Who Do You Think You Are?
Who Do You Think You Are? has been broadcasting on the BBC since 2004 and has proved to be one of the most popular documentaries on the BBC.
The premise revolves around tracing the ancestral roots and personal histories of well-known celebrities. The show takes viewers on an emotional journey as each episode focuses on a different celebrity and their quest to uncover their family heritage.
Through a combination of archival research, historical records, and expert guidance, the show uncovers intriguing stories, hidden secrets, and unexpected connections that shed light on the celebrities’ identities and origins and, my favourite bit, when they throw up some unexpected or deeply appropriate links.
Critical reception of Who Do You Think You Are?
Reviews for Who Do You Think You Are? have been overwhelmingly positive, and it even won a BAFTA for Best Factual Programme back in 2010.
Some popular episodes include Danny Dyer, when the Eastenders actor was found to have royal connections. The Guardian explained that “Danny Dyer’s hunt for ancestry is brilliant – because he goes about it hilariously, and because he does find something pretty cool and unexpected.”
It concludes that this was “The Best Who Do You Think You Are? ever, a lovely and super-amusing hour of television.”
It is a great episode for sure and one of my favourites too. But each has its own charm, power and personally, when it comes to Who Do You Think You Are?, I am a completist.
Who stars in Who Do You Think You Are?
Who Do You Think You Are? tends to only feature the celebrity who is the focus of that particular episode, along with the genealogists and historians who have been researching their family history.
The upcoming series is remarkably the 20th in the show’s history and features some terrific star names including:
Emily Atack
Emily Atack is an actor best known for her role as Charlotte Hinchcliffe in The Inbetweeners. She has also appeared in various television shows, including Dancing on Ice and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
Kevin Clifton
Kevin Clifton is a highly accomplished professional dancer and choreographer best known as a pro on Strictly Come Dancing, where he won the Glitterball Trophy in 2018 with his partner, Stacey Dooley.
He performs live around the world and has choreographed West End shows.
Claire Foy
Claire Foy made her name in the role of Queen Elizabeth II in the hit Netflix series The Crown. She also appeared in Wolf Hall, Unsane, and First Man, among numerous other TV shows and movies.
Dev Griffin
Dev Griffin is a British radio presenter and DJ on BBC Radio 1. He also works as a DJ at venues and festivals across the country and beyond.
Bear Grylls
Bear Grylls is a renowned adventurer, survival expert, and television personality who is known for his popular television series Man vs. Wild.
He has embarked on numerous expeditions and achieved remarkable feats, including summiting Mount Everest.
Lesley Manville
Lesley Manville is a highly esteemed British actress known for her collaborations with director Mike Leigh in films such as Another Year and Secrets & Lies. She has earned numerous awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for her role in the film Phantom Thread.
Chris Ramsey
Chris Ramsey is a comedian and actor who has toured extensively and appeared on various television shows, such as Hebburn and The Chris Ramsey Show, as well as various panel shows and game shows and Strictly Come Dancing.
Chris & Xand van Tulleken
Chris and Xand van Tulleken are identical twin brothers who are both qualified doctors and have used their medical expertise to educate and entertain audiences through various television programs such as Operation Ouch! and The Secret Life of Twins.
Summary
Who Do You Think You Are? is one of my favourite factual TV series, and I know I am not alone. As it enters more than 20 series, it remains as popular as ever and has fans not just in the UK but in the ex-pat communities and overseas audiences around the world.
Unfortunately, Who Do You Think You Are? is not available outside the UK because the streaming platform it is shown on, BBC iPlayer, is blocked for non-UK viewers.
But, as I have explained, there is an easy way to get around this and enjoy Who Do You Think You Are? from anywhere in the world.
All you need is a VPN app, and ExpressVPN is the best one to use.
Just install the app on your streaming device, connect to a UK-based server and watch Who Do You Think You Are? on BBC iPlayer wherever you happen to be.
This season promises laughter, tears, and more huge revelations. It’s a show you don’t want to miss, and thanks to ExpressVPN, you don’t have to, no matter where in the world you happen to be.
✔ Beginner-friendly
✔ Quick to set up
✔ Money back guarantee
30-day money back guarantee
