[1] He worked largely in British film and television,[2] and attended Henley-in-Arden School in Warwickshire before further training 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.

Schlesinger suggested him to producer Mark Shivas as director for Channel 4's drama trilogy What If It's Raining?, written by Anthony Minghella.

Shortly before Whittaker's death, writer Julian Fellowes spoke of him as, "the most exciting director in the industry.

"[4] In 2001 he filmed his final project The Rocket Post, a romantic drama set on a remote Scottish island.