Jodie’s suddenly a very familiar face

Sep 22 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Huddersfield actress Jodie Whittaker is currently in Canada for the premiere of her movie, Good.

But, as ANDREW BALDWIN reports, TV audiences are able to watch her over the next few weeks in BBC 1’s lavish new production of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel Tess Of The D’Urbervilles

‘It was fantastic. They’re so incredibly generous. Jason and Viggo, they’re so cool’

IF you thought that face looked familiar on television last night, it was.

Viewers following BBC serial Tess Of The D’Urbervilles saw Huddersfield actress Jodie Whittaker make her first appearance in the story.

She plays Izzy, best friend of Tess, the spirited heroine of Thomas Hardy’s classical work.

It will have been required watching by dad Adrian, mum Yvonne and older brother Kris at their family home in Huddersfield.

But Jodie herself was not around to see it. She was in Canada after an appearance at the Toronto Film Festival.

She was there for the premiere of her movie Good, about the rise of the Nazi party in pre-war Germany.

The film critics, apparently, are already talking about Oscars.

Not bad for someone whose big break came less than two years ago when she was plucked from hundreds of hopefuls to play the female lead in Venus alongside acting legend Peter O’Toole.

“We’re all thrilled for her. She has achieved such a lot,” says dad Adrian.

Not that his daughter is letting fame go to her head.