Stephen Whittaker (28 June 1947 – 7 February 2003) was a British actor and director. He worked largely in British film and television, and trained as an actor at London's Corona Academy. He began his career aged 17, as a "bad boy" in the film To Sir With Love (1966), and in the classic BBC Doctor Who adventure The Web of Fear, as a soldier battling Yeti in the London Underground.
In 1985 Whittaker took a director's training course, and directed a short training film which he sent to John Schlesinger (who had directed him in Yanks). Schlesinger suggested him to producer Mark Shivas as director for Channel 4's drama trilogy What If It's Raining?, written by Anthony Minghella. This was the beginning of a directing career of prestigious TV and film work. Shortly before Whittaker's death, writer Julian Fellowes spoke of him as, "the most exciting director in the industry."
In 2001 he filmed his final project The Rocket Post, a romantic drama set on a remote Scottish island. The film had severe funding problems, and was eventually released in 2006, three years after his death. The credits bear a dedication to his memory.
The Rocket Post (2004)Sons and Lovers (2003) (TV)The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (2001) (TV)Dalziel and Pascoe (1 episode, 2000)- "A Sweeter Lazarus" (2000) TV episode producer Andy RowleyGrafters II (1999) TV mini-seriesGrafters (1998) TV mini-series (unknown episodes)A Life for a Life (1998) (TV)Stone, Scissors, Paper (1997) (TV)Tangier Cop (1997) ... aka Heartbreak CityStone Cold (1997) Producer Andy Rowley BBC SceneHearts and Minds (1995) (TV)Killing Me Softly (1995) (TV)Closing Numbers (1993)Inspector Morse (1 episode, 1993) - "The Day of the Devil" (1993) TV episodeAgatha Christie's Poirot (1 episode, 1992) - "Death in the Clouds" (1992) TV episodePortrait of a Marriage (1990) (TV)Eurocops: Hunting the Squirrel (1988) (TV), crime drama written by Billy Hamon, starring John BenfieldWhat If It's Raining (1985) (TV)Blott on the Landscape .... Orderly (1 episode, 1985) - Episode #1.6 (1985) TV episode .... OrderlyThe Keep (1983) .... S.S. CommandoThe Return of the Soldier (1982) ....Hostile SoldierYanks (1979) .... Merchant seamanThe Great Gundown (1977) .... LaredoI Escaped from Devil's Island (1973) .... Leper CountBury Me an Angel (1972) (as Stephen Wittaker) .... KillerStrange Report .... The Office Boy (1 episode, 1969)Chastity (1969) .... EddieUp the Junction (1968) (uncredited) .... AlfThe Web of Fear (1968 Doctor Who serial) .... Craftsman WeamsTo Sir, with Love (1967)Out of the Unknown .... Harold (1 episode, 1966) Actor
1985
Blott on the Landscape (TV Mini Series) as
Orderly
- Man in a Tree (1985) - Orderly
1983
The Keep as
S.S. Kommando
1968
ITV Playhouse (TV Series) as
Dave Rawlings / George West
- Only a Game (1981) - Dave Rawlings
- Countercrime (1968) - George West
1979
Spearhead (TV Series) as
R.T. Corporal
- Waiting Games (1979) - R.T. Corporal
1978
The One and Only Phyllis Dixey (TV Movie) as
Reporter
1977
The Great Gundown as
Laredo
1977
Target (TV Series) as
Jack Price
- Set Up (1977) - Jack Price
1976
Plays for Britain (TV Series) as
Terrorist
- The Paradise Run (1976) - Terrorist
1975
The Legend of Robin Hood (TV Mini Series) as
Ralph Gammon
- Part 6 (1975) - Ralph Gammon
- Part 5 (1975) - Ralph Gammon
- Part 4 (1975) - Ralph Gammon
- Part 3 (1975) - Ralph Gammon
- Part 2 (1975) - Ralph Gammon
- Part 1 (1975) - Ralph Gammon
1973
I Escaped from Devil's Island as
Leper Count
1973
The Roses of Eyam (TV Movie) as
Scythe Torre
1973
Crown Court (TV Series) as
Kevin Wilson Lewis
- Settling a Score: Part 3 (1973) - Kevin Wilson Lewis
- Settling a Score: Part 2 (1973) - Kevin Wilson Lewis
- Settling a Score: Part 1 (1973) - Kevin Wilson Lewis
1972
Callan (TV Series) as
Deane
- The Richmond File: A Man Like Me (1972) - Deane (as Stephen Wittaker)
1971
Bury Me an Angel as
The Killer (as Stephen Wittaker)
1970
Villette (TV Series) as
Steward
- Crossing the Styx (1970) - Steward
1969
Strange Report (TV Series) as
Office Boy
- Report 2475: Revenge - When a Man Hates (1969) - Office Boy
1968
The Root of All Evil? (TV Series) as
Stephen
- West of Eden (1968) - Stephen
1968
You and the World (TV Series) as
Bobby
- Terry (1968) - Bobby
- Situation Vacant (1968) - Bobby
1966
The Wednesday Play (TV Series) as
Roddy / Davis
- The Man Behind You (1968) - Roddy
- The Connoisseur (1966) - Davis
1968
Doctor Who (TV Series) as
Craftsman Weams
- The Web of Fear: Episode 3 (1968) - Craftsman Weams
- The Web of Fear: Episode 2 (1968) - Craftsman Weams
- The Web of Fear: Episode 1 (1968) - Craftsman Weams
1968
Up the Junction as
Alf (uncredited)
1968
BBC Play of the Month (TV Series) as
Paratrooper
- The Parachute (1968) - Paratrooper
1967
Sat'day While Sunday (TV Series) as
Ossie
- Home Is Like No Place: Part 2 (1967) - Ossie
- Home Is Like No Place: Part 1 (1967) - Ossie
1967
Armchair Theatre (TV Series) as
Marco
- The Girl (1967) - Marco
1967
Champion House (TV Series) as
The Clerk
- Blind Spot (1967) - The Clerk
1967
Sanctuary (TV Series) as
Peter Lord
- A Cup of Tea with the Fullers (1967) - Peter Lord
1967
To Sir, with Love as
Schoolboy
1967
Z Cars (TV Series) as
Stan Finch
- Finch and Sons: Part 2 (1967) - Stan Finch
- Finch and Sons: Part 1 (1967) - Stan Finch
1967
Thirty-Minute Theatre (TV Series) as
Joey
- The Gun (1967) - Joey
1966
Out of the Unknown (TV Series) as
Harold
- The World in Silence (1966) - Harold
1965
I Dream of Jeannie (TV Series) as
Bellboy
- The Moving Finger (1965) - Bellboy
1965
ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) as
Belhaven
- The Edwardians #4: The Madras House (1965) - Belhaven
1965
Bewitched (TV Series) as
Eddy
- Eye of the Beholder (1965) - Eddy
1964
Crossroads (TV Series) as
Tony Mortimer
Director
2003
Sons & Lovers (TV Movie)
2001
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (TV Movie)
2000
Dalziel and Pascoe (TV Series) (1 episode) - A Sweeter Lazarus (2000)
1999
Grafters (TV Series) (2 episodes) - Episode #2.2 (1999)
- Episode #2.1 (1999)
1998
A Life for a Life (TV Movie)
1988
Screen Two (TV Series) (2 episodes) - Stone, Scissors, Paper (1997)
- Love Birds (1988)
1997
Scene (TV Series) (3 episodes) - Stone Cold: Part 3 (1997)
- Stone Cold: Part 2 (1997)
- Stone Cold (1997)
1995
Killing Me Softly (TV Movie)
1995
Hearts and Minds (TV Series) (4 episodes) - Episode #1.4 (1995)
- Episode #1.3 (1995)
- Episode #1.2 (1995)
- Episode #1.1 (1995)
1993
Inspector Morse (TV Series) (1 episode) - The Day of the Devil (1993)
1992
Poirot (TV Series) (1 episode) - Death in the Clouds (1992)
1990
Portrait of a Marriage (TV Mini Series) (4 episodes) - Episode #1.4 (1990)
- Episode #1.3 (1990)
- Episode #1.2 (1990)
- Episode #1.1 (1990)
1988
Eurocops (TV Series) (1 episode) - Hunting the Squirrel (1988)
1986
What If It's Raining (TV Series) (3 episodes) - Episode #1.3 (1986)
- Episode #1.2 (1986)
- Episode #1.1 (1986)
Assistant Director
1972
The Runaway (assistant director)
Thanks
2004
Out of the Shadows (Short) (in memory of)