Magda Szubanski is the actor behind many of Australia’s most loved comic characters. Magda has always been a fearless performer. But where is that courage from? To better understand how world events have shaped her family, Magda will trace the lives of two ancestors. Both were forced to make grim choices and both were forced to confront with the brutality of war.

Cricketer Rod Marsh trawls the records, to overturn long-held secrets and piece together the dramatic circumstances that led to his father’s adoption. For the first time he discovers who his biological grandparents are and why their children were given up for adoption.

Singer Tina Arena has always wanted to find out more about where her Italian-born parents came from, a subject that has never really been talked about in her family. She is driven to find out the truth behind some family secrets and heads off to Sicily to explore her Italian roots and the tough reality of her grandparents’ childhoods.

Actor and comedian is probably best known for his roles in City Homicide and Thank God You’re Here. In this series he investigates a pattern of absent fathers and discovers a man with grand but fraudulent designs.

Actor, dancer and TV chef Paul Mercurio is probably best known for his role in Strictly Ballroom. In this series he embarks on a journey into his ancestry to investigate rumours of a mafia connection and discovers a political kingmaker leading a double life.