She's the woman with the job everyone wanted. Jodie Whittaker has official stepped into the TARDIS [1]. Well, if you want to get technical, she's actually fallen out of it: that Christmas special cliffhanger has definitely left us desperate for the new series! As we wait to see how she'll tackle the tricky role [2] alongside new companions Bradley Walsh, Tosin Cole, and Mandip Gill [3], it's time to learn a little bit more about the woman in control of that sonic screwdriver. We've dug into the archives to discover more about Ms Whittaker, from her breakout roles to her family life. It's time to get to know a new time lord!
She's a Northerner
Jodie grew up in Skelmanthorpe, a village a few miles outside of Huddersfield in Yorkshire.
She Has an Unusual Middle Name
Jodie's middle name is Auckland, like the city in New Zealand.
Venus Was Her Rising
Jodie's breakout role was in the 2006 independent British film Venus alongside legendary actor Peter O’Toole. The actress, who was 24 at the time, played the Lolita-esque love interest for O'Toole, who is 50 years her senior.
Then She Bonded With Boyega
Another memorable film role was the British sci-fi comedy Attack the Block, which she starred in with a number of other cool up-and-coming actors, including Luke Treadaway and John Boyega (in his first film role).
She'll Take on Difficult Challenges
Jodie once stood in for Carey Mulligan [4] in the stage production of The Seagull with only three hours notice.
Her Husband Is in the Biz, Too
Jodie married American actor Christian Contreras in Arizona in 2008. The pair met in drama school and are very private about their relationship. Jodie told the Telegraph “he's mine, he's not anyone else’s!” [5] However, we do know one other tidbit . . .
She's a Mum
Jodie gave birth to her and Christian’s first child, a daughter, in 2015. She went back to work on Broadchurch only a few months later.
She Got Starstruck Meeting Girls Aloud
The band recorded the theme for the St Trinians film, and made a music video on set with the cast. Jodie, who played Beverly in the film, describes making the video as "My favourite day!" She said in an interview [6], "I worked up the courage to go over to them and say, 'Hi! I'm in the film, too! Really nice to meet you!'"
Her Doctor Who Role Is Perfect Because It Was Unexpected
In an interview following the announcement, Jodie explained, "I've been asked so many times growing up, 'What's your dream part?', and I always try and articulate something that is outside of what people have told me I can and only play. And now it's like, see?! I told you!"
She's the BFF We All Want
Jodie supports her pals, and it sounds like she always sticks to plans! Eight years after first discussing a potential project with friends Rachel Tunnard and Rachel Deering, it finally came to fruition. Jodie took the lead in Adult Life Skills, an extension of a BAFTA-winning short film that Tunnard wrote and directed. Deering costarred. The film garnered critical acclaim, and Tunnard won the Nora Ephron prize for female writers and directors at the Tribeca Film Festival. Talk about Girl Power!