As much as we love a good Netflix drama, it’s all the more hard-hitting when it’s based on a true story like Toxic Town, particularly when an actor like Jodie Whittaker is at the forefront, bringing real people's stories to the screen so they can be heard.
The talented performer - known for her portrayal of the Thirteenth Doctor in Doctor Who - has moved audiences with her portrayal of Susan McIntyre, a determined and compassionate mother fighting for justice after an environmental crisis that affected many families in Corby.
If Toxic Town has captured your attention and you’re curious to learn more about Jodie Whittaker, you’re in the right place. Here’s everything you need to know, from her standout TV roles to her life off-screen.
Jodie Whittaker's top movies and TV shows
Toxic Town
In Toxic Town, Jodie Whittaker delivers a captivating performance as Susan McIntyre, a mother fighting for justice for her son Connor, after she finds out that her local council's mismanagement of toxic waste caused his birth defects.
For her role, Jodie had to take on a Scottish/Corby accent, as the real Susan moved from Scotland to the Northamptonshire town when she was three years old.
"From my point of view I'm instantly terrified because I think the opening scene is karaoke in a Glaswegian/Corby accent so there's things like that where you're going 'right okay", the actress said in an Interview on This Morning.
Doctor Who
It was a career-defining moment for Jodie Whittaker when she became the Thirteenth Doctor in Doctor Who, (taking over from Peter Capaldi) and her fame soared to stratospheric heights.
The announcement was huge for Whovians all over the world, and her casting, particularly as he first female Doctor, inspired a new generation of fans, particularly young girls who could now see themselves reflected in the character.
Reflecting on the significance of the role, she said, "To be asked to play the ultimate character, to get to play pretend in the truest form: this is why I wanted to be an actor in the first place. To be able to play someone who is literally reinvented on screen, with all the freedoms that brings - what an unbelievable opportunity. And added to that, to be the first woman in that role."
With the mammoth role came huge responsibility. "Everyone's Doctor until then was a white man. They are very different actors, but they all fit a specific mould - and I didn't.
"If Peter hadn't been good as the Doctor, it would only have reflected on him. Whereas I felt that if I wasn't very good at this, I've [ruined] it for other actors. I think it's completely unacceptable if that was the case, but that's how I felt."
From battling Daleks to outsmarting Cybermen, the Thirteenth Doctor was always ready to face down cosmic threats with a mix of brilliance, humour, and a dose of absolute chaos, along with her companions: Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole), Graham (Bradley Walsh) and Dan (John Bishop).
Her space-time adventures weren’t just about saving the world—they were about inspiring us to be bold, embrace our weirdness, and ask the big questions: “What’s out there?” and “How do we make it better?”
Broadchurch
The first time Jodie Whittaker worked with Doctor Who showrunner Chris Chibnall was in Broadchurch. Her portrayal of a grieving mother in Broadchurch brought the entire nation to tears. Set in a small, tight-knit coastal town, the series follows the investigation into the tragic death of a young boy.
Actors David Tennant and Olivia Colman also give stellar performances, and detective duo Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller also give stellar performances... We can never forget that shocking plot twist of an ending!
Jodie Whittaker's theatre roles
From the Athenian tragedy Atigone to the Jacobian revenge story The Duchess of Malfi, Jodie Whittaker has had plenty of theatre roles.
How old is Jodie Whittaker?
Jodie Whittaker was born on the 17th June 1982 to Yvonne and Adrian Whittaker and is therefore 42 years old.
She has one sibling, an older brother.
Where is Jodie Whittaker from?
Actress Jodie Whittaker is from the town of Skelmanthorpe (near Huddersfield) in West Yorkshire.
Is Jodie Whittaker married?
In 2008, Jodie Whittaker married Belizean-American actor Christian Contreras. The pair met while studying at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and tied the knot two years after their graduation.
The pair have two children, a daughter born in 2015, and a second child who arrived in 2022.
He has appeared in the sitcom Breeders with Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard and recently, he can be seen as Jerry Knox in the Disney+ show A Thousand Blows, which stars Stephen Graham.
Christian Contreras is best known for the films Halo: Nightfall, Foundation and Zero Dark Thirty.
Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, scrapbooking, playing board games and walking her three dogs.