If you ask most people about Jodie Whittaker movies and shows, they’ll immediately start talking about the Thirteenth Doctor. It makes sense. Being the first woman to pilot the TARDIS is a massive, history-making deal. But honestly? If you only know her as the breathless, sonic-screwdriver-waving Time Lord, you’re missing out on some of the rawest, most gut-wrenching performances in modern British telly.
Jodie’s career didn't start in space, and it definitely didn't end there. She’s built a reputation for being the go-to actor for "grief-stricken but resilient." Think about it. She’s got this incredible ability to look like she’s about to shatter into a million pieces, yet she keeps pushing forward. It’s a specific kind of northern grit that makes her feel less like a "movie star" and more like someone you’d actually know in real life.
The Broadchurch Breakthrough and That Raw Grief
Before she was jumping through time, Jodie was Beth Latimer in Broadchurch. You remember that show, right? It was the one that had the entire UK glued to their sofas on Monday nights back in 2013. While David Tennant and Olivia Colman were busy being grumpy detectives, Jodie was the beating heart of the story.
Playing the mother of a murdered boy is a nightmare scenario for any actor. It could easily slide into melodrama, but she kept it so real it was almost hard to watch. She wasn't just "sad"; she was angry, exhausted, and desperately trying to hold a crumbling family together. It’s widely considered her best work for a reason. Critics at The Independent even noted at the time that she was "the beating heart" of the drama. She basically became the face of a community's collective trauma for three seasons.
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The Sci-Fi Roots: Attack the Block and Black Mirror
You might have forgotten that she was in Attack the Block (2011) alongside a very young John Boyega. She played Sam, a nurse who gets caught up in an alien invasion on a London council estate. It’s a cult classic now. What’s cool about it is that she isn't a "damsel." She’s just a normal woman trying not to get eaten by glowing-toothed monsters.
Then there’s Black Mirror. If you haven't seen "The Entire History of You," go watch it. Now. It’s one of the highest-rated episodes of the entire anthology. Jodie plays Ffion, a woman caught in a toxic spiral of memory-recording technology and infidelity. It’s uncomfortable, it’s tense, and she plays the "guilty secret" vibe perfectly. It was a massive hint at the range she’d later bring to Doctor Who.
Beyond the Doctor: Recent Hits and 2026 Projects
So, what has she been up to since she regenerated? A lot, actually. She hasn't slowed down one bit.
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- Time (Series 2): She starred in the second installment of Jimmy McGovern’s prison drama as Orla O’Riordan. If you thought Broadchurch was heavy, this is on another level. She plays a mother sent to prison for a minor offense, and it’s a brutal look at how the justice system fails women.
- Toxic Town (2025): This Netflix limited series just dropped last year, and it’s a must-watch. It tells the true story of the Corby toxic waste scandal. Jodie plays Susan McIntyre, one of the mothers fighting for justice. It’s that classic Whittaker energy—justice-seeking, fierce, and deeply human.
- Frauds (2025): She teamed up with Suranne Jones for this ITV art-heist series. It’s a bit lighter than her usual "crying in the rain" roles, playing a confidence trickster. It’s fun to see her lean into a bit of mischief for once.
What's coming next?
As of early 2026, she’s currently attached to a few big projects that are generating serious buzz.
- Dear England: This is a 4-part BBC series adapted from the smash-hit stage play about Gareth Southgate. Joseph Fiennes is playing Southgate, and Jodie is playing the team’s psychologist, Pippa Grange. It’s a fascinating pivot into the world of elite sports psychology.
- Office Romance: She’s recently wrapped filming on this movie (set for a 2026 release) where she plays a character named Lizzy. It’s a bit of a departure, and fans are eager to see her in a more contemporary, character-driven film role.
- Big Finish Audio: For the Doctor Who purists, she’s actually back! She’s been recording new audio adventures as the Thirteenth Doctor. "The Violet Hour" is set to drop in March 2026. It’s great because we get to hear her and Mandip Gill (Yaz) back together without the constraints of a TV budget.
Why We Keep Watching
There’s something about Jodie Whittaker that feels authentic. Maybe it’s the Yorkshire accent she refuses to lose, or the way she’s not afraid to look "unpolished" on screen. In movies like Adult Life Skills (2016)—which she also executive produced—she plays a woman living in a shed who can’t grow up. It’s quirky, it’s indie, and it’s 100% Jodie.
She doesn't just play characters; she inhabits their messiness. Whether she’s a grieving mother, a time-traveling alien, or a woman fighting a council over toxic waste, she brings a "lived-in" quality to the screen.
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Actionable Tips for the Ultimate Jodie Binge
If you want to see the full scope of Jodie Whittaker movies and shows, don't just stick to the hits. Here is how to actually experience her range:
- Watch 'Venus' (2006) first. It was her debut. She played opposite the legendary Peter O'Toole and held her own as a surly teenager. It’s the rawest version of her talent.
- Don't skip the shorts. She did a short film called Emotional Fusebox which eventually became Adult Life Skills. It’s a great lesson in how she develops a character over years.
- Check out 'Trust Me' (2017). This was the role she did right before Doctor Who. She plays a nurse who steals a doctor's identity. The tension is sky-high, and it shows why she was the perfect pick for a character with a hidden past.
- Follow the 2026 release of 'Dear England'. If you like British culture and drama, this is going to be the "water cooler" show of the year.
The real "secret" to her career? She’s a character actress trapped in a leading lady’s body. She takes the roles that hurt a little bit, and that’s why we’re still talking about her long after she left the TARDIS behind. Keep an eye on the BBC iPlayer and Netflix this year; she isn't going anywhere.
Actionable Insight: If you're a fan of her Doctor Who run, try watching Time (Series 2) on BBC iPlayer. It’s the polar opposite of her Doctor—grounded, gritty, and incredibly moving—and it serves as the best proof of her incredible acting range in the post-TARDIS era.