Jodie Whittaker is an English actress best known for her role as the Thirteenth Doctor in the long-running British television series Doctor Who. She made history in 2017 by becoming the first woman to portray the Doctor, a character that has been a cultural icon since the show's debut in 1963. Born on June 17, 1982, in Skelmanthorpe, West Yorkshire, Whittaker studied at the Royal Holloway, University of London and later trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. In addition to her work on Doctor Who, she has appeared in various films and television series, showcasing her versatility as an actress.