Julia May Whelan, born on May 8, 1984, is an American actress and author renowned for her captivating performances on screen and her success in the world of literature. Whelan's celebrated role as Grace Manning in the family drama series Once and Again (1999-2002) and her co-starring appearance in the Lifetime movie The Secret Life of Zoey (2002) brought her significant recognition in her early acting career. A prodigy in the acting realm, Whelan's career commenced at the tender age of 11, and she sustained a steady presence on television until she embarked on a scholarly journey to Middlebury College in 2004.

Whelan's academic accomplishments are noteworthy, having graduated magna cum laude from Middlebury in 2008. Her pursuit of knowledge also led her to Lincoln College, Oxford, where she spent the academic year 2006-2007 as a visiting student. Post-graduation, Whelan revived her film career with a role in the fantasy thriller Fading of the Cries in November 2008.

Further enriching her repertoire, Whelan has also established herself as a screenwriter, a lifetime actor, and a lauded audiobook narrator with over 500 titles to her credit. The international bestseller My Oxford Year stands as a testament to her literary prowess, with her narration receiving a Society of Voice Arts award. Her talents extend beyond narration, as she is a Grammy-nominated audiobook director, a writing tutor, an amateur baker, and a certified tea sommelier.