Abstract— Electrowetting‐based displays have been successfully demonstrated in reflective mode, showing video capability and high optical performance. However, because this technology is based on a high‐efficiency optical switch operating between a light‐absorbing state and a light‐transmitting state, the technology lends itself naturally to a transmissive mode enabling a complete range of applications. This paper describes the first active‐matrix full‐color transmissive electrowetting displays including its main technical and system aspects. Two architectures have been demonstrated: one uses color filters, the other field‐sequential‐color illumination. The paper also introduces alternative concepts for more efficient color transmissive electrowetting displays with multiple absorbing layers.