Jodie Whittaker

Jodie Auckland Whittaker (born 17 June 1982) is an English actress. She is best known for her roles on television as Beth Latimer in Broadchurch (2013–2017) and the Thirteenth Doctor in Doctor Who (2017–2022; 2025).

She came to prominence in her 2006 feature film debut Venus, for which she received British Independent Film Award and Satellite Award nominations. She was later praised for her roles in the science fiction film Attack the Block (2011) and the Black Mirror episode "The Entire History of You" (2011).

In 2017, Whittaker became the thirteenth and first lead actress to play the Doctor in Doctor Who and formally assumed the role from Peter Capaldi in "Twice Upon a Time". Whittaker starred in three series and five specials beginning with "The Woman Who Fell to Earth" in 2018 and concluding in 2022 with "The Power of the Doctor". She returned to the role in 2025 with a cameo appearance in the series 15 finale "The Reality War".

Early life

Jodie Auckland Whittaker was born on 17 June 1982 in Skelmanthorpe, West Yorkshire. She is the second child and only daughter of Yvonne (née Auckland) and Adrian Whittaker. She attended Scissett Middle School and Shelley High School before training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating in 2005 with an acting gold medal.

Career

Early career

Whittaker made her professional debut in The Storm at Shakespeare's Globe in 2005. She has since worked in film, television, radio and theatre. In 2007, she stood in at short notice for an unwell Carey Mulligan in the Royal Court's production of The Seagull, and appeared in a fundraising play at the Almeida Theatre.