Tonight's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? sees Claire Foy step away from the spotlight and onto a deeply personal journey, as the BBC revisits one of the series' most popular instalments.

The acclaimed actress, best known for her role as a young Queen Elizabeth II in Netflix's The Crown, uncovers extraordinary tales from her own family history. Now 41, Foy sets aside scripts and stagecraft to trace both her maternal and paternal lines, revealing moving stories of wartime sacrifice, personal loss, and even a dash of courtroom intrigue.

Before international acclaim, before the BAFTAs, Emmys and Golden Globes, Claire Foy's screen career had far more humble beginnings. Her earliest TV appearance was in the pilot episode of the supernatural comedy Being Human in 2008. That same year, she earned attention in the title role of the BBC's Little Dorrit, a period drama that showcased her early promise.

Foy's big-screen debut came in 2011 with Season of the Witch, where she starred opposite Nicolas Cage. While the film didn't win over critics, her performance stood out - hinting at the commanding screen presence she would later become known for.

Soon after, she began building a reputation on British television with roles in Upstairs Downstairs and Peter Morgan's The Promise. But it was her haunting portrayal of Anne Boleyn in Wolf Hall (2015) that truly put her on the radar of critics and viewers alike.

That same year, Foy was cast in what would become her most defining role: the young Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown. Her portrayal was widely praised for its depth and humanity, capturing the monarch not just as a ruler, but as a woman balancing duty with personal sacrifice.

Speaking to the BBC at the time, she said: "I think that she was an incredible monarch. She united people and she was a massive symbol of continuity and dignity and grace." She added, "My main feeling is just thinking about her as a mother and a grandmother and a great-grandmother, really, and I'm very honoured to have been a teeny tiny, small part of her story."

Across two seasons, Foy's performance helped shape the show's identity and cemented its critical and commercial success. Her work earned her a BAFTA, a Golden Globe, and an Emmy - with many hailing her portrayal as one of the most nuanced depictions of modern royalty ever seen on screen.

Even after handing over the crown to Olivia Colman, Foy's version of the Queen proved so iconic that she returned briefly in later seasons, reinforcing just how unforgettable her interpretation had become.

Determined not to be typecast, Foy took a bold turn in 2018 with The Girl in the Spider's Web, stepping into the role of Lisbeth Salander. The gritty, action-packed thriller was a dramatic shift from royal corridors, but one that demonstrated her range.

She has since continued to defy expectations, with roles in First Man, alongside Ryan Gosling, and the powerful ensemble drama Women Talking, where her emotionally resonant performance drew widespread acclaim.

Tonight's repeat of Who Do You Think You Are? offers viewers a chance to see another side of Claire Foy - not the Queen, not the Hollywood star, but the woman behind the roles, piecing together her own remarkable history.