Jessica Raine
An actress who brought steely compassion to 1950s London's nursing wards, becoming the beloved face of a hit period drama before exploring darker, complex roles.
Born 1982 (age 44)·British actress (born 1981/82)·Birthday: May 20·Millennials
Biography
Jessica Raine didn't just play a midwife; for millions, she became the empathetic heart of post-war London. As Jenny Lee in the smash-hit 'Call the Midwife', Raine portrayed a wide-eyed yet determined nurse with a depth that transcended the period costumes. Her performance grounded the show in emotional truth, making the medical dramas and social struggles of Poplar deeply personal. Seeking to avoid typecasting, she made a deliberate pivot after leaving the series, embracing roles that showcased a sharper, more enigmatic range. She played BBC producer Verity Lambert in the docudrama about 'Doctor Who', and later took on parts in psychological thrillers like 'The Last Post' and 'The Woman in White', where her characters often harbored secrets or simmering intensity. Raine has consistently chosen work that challenges both her and the audience, moving seamlessly from national treasure to unsettling presence.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jessica was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jessica Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Jessica's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Nurse Jenny Lee, the central character in the first three series of the globally successful BBC drama 'Call the Midwife'.
- Played pioneering BBC producer Verity Lambert in the acclaimed drama 'An Adventure in Space and Time', about the creation of 'Doctor Who'.
- Starred as a lead in the BBC psychological thriller 'The Woman in White', a modern adaptation of Wilkie Collins's novel.
- Appeared in the BAFTA-nominated film 'The Last Vermeer' and the television series 'Wolf Hall'.
Did You Know?
Her birth name is Jessica Helen Lloyd; she changed it to Raine, which is her middle name.
She trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.
She provided the voice for the character Lady Johanna in the video game 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt'.
She is married to actor Tom Goodman-Hill, whom she met while working on 'The Last of the Mohicans' stage play.
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