Doctor Who’s Jodie Whittaker admits coronavirus pandemic has left her ‘paranoid’

Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker has confessed that the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic has ‘skyrocketed [her] paranoia’ over the course of the year.

Like the large majority in her industry, the 38-year-old actress faced massive delays in filming as national lockdowns upended shooting schedules.

And after recently receiving a negative COVID-19 test – giving her the vital all-clear to leave her London home and relocate to Cardiff to resume filming Doctor Who – the star has admitted that she’s struggled with this year’s unprecedented events.

Stressful: Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker has confessed that the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic has ‘skyrocketed [her] paranoia’ over the course of the year. Pictured in 2019

‘I’m pretty anxious anyway, so it [the pandemic] has skyrocketed my paranoia,’ she told The Telegraph’s Stella Magazine. ‘That worst-case scenario, that I cause someone ill health, I cause them long COVID… I’m a follower of a rule and I need things to be really clear, otherwise it sends me into an apocalyptic panic attack.’ 

On getting her negative coronavirus test results, the actress said: ‘That was the highlight of my day. Now I’ve got to sort the house out and pack my stuff – you take going away for granted so much until it’s gone.’

Ahead of setting off four her journey west, Jodie also relished the prospect of moving into a house in Wales with her American actor husband Christian Contreras and their five-year-old daughter as she films the show. 

All-clear: The star recently received a negative COVID-19 test – giving her the vital all-clear to leave her London home and relocate to Cardiff to resume filming Doctor Who

All-clear: The star recently received a negative COVID-19 test – giving her the vital all-clear to leave her London home and relocate to Cardiff to resume filming Doctor Who

‘I can’t wait to get back,’ she sad if regaining some semblance of normality amid a volatile year. ‘Lockdown reminded me that I really love my job.’

While her new scenes won’t hit screens until next year, Doctor Who fans will next month be treated to the highly-anticipated Christmas special. 

Following the show’s virtual panel at New York Comic Con, the BBC released two snaps to whet fans’ appetites, ahead of the episode which will air this festive season.

The special – titled Revolution of the Daleks – will see The Doctor trapped on a space prison thousands of light years away from her beloved TARDIS, with her beloved companions Yaz, Graham and Ryan trying to rebuild their lives without her.

Dramatic: Doctor Who fans were recently given their first glimpse at this year's Christmas Special, with one snap showing Jodie's time-travelling heroine trapped in a space prison

Dramatic: Doctor Who fans were recently given their first glimpse at this year’s Christmas Special, with one snap showing Jodie’s time-travelling heroine trapped in a space prison 

One snap shows Jodie in character as the titular Doctor, appearing to be in the midst of her imprisonment as the wall was covered in tally markings, perhaps showing the number of days she had been trapped.

The second image features Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole), Graham O’Brien (Bradley Walsh), and Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill) in the midst of a tense exchange, unsure of how to proceed without the Doctor’s space know-how.

An official synopsis for Revolution of the Daleks reads: ‘The Doctor is locked away in a high-security alien prison. Isolated, alone, with no hope of escape. 

Worrying: The second image features Ryan, Graham, and Yaz in the midst of a tense exchange, unsure of how to proceed without the Doctor's space know-how

Worrying: The second image features Ryan, Graham, and Yaz in the midst of a tense exchange, unsure of how to proceed without the Doctor’s space know-how

‘Far away, on Earth, her best friends, Yaz, Ryan and Graham have to pick up their lives without her. 

‘But it’s not easy. Old habits die hard. Especially when they discover a disturbing plan forming. A plan which involves a Dalek. How can you fight a Dalek, without the Doctor?’

It’s been reported that the Christmas Special – which was filmed before the COVID-19 crisis brought the television industry to a halt – will be the final appearance for companions Graham and Ryan, though Yaz is expected to return for series 13.

Coming soon: An air date for the Christmas Special is yet to be confirmed, though it's likely to be on New Year's Day, when the previous two specials have been broadcast

Coming soon: An air date for the Christmas Special is yet to be confirmed, though it’s likely to be on New Year’s Day, when the previous two specials have been broadcast 

An air date for the Christmas Special is yet to be confirmed, though it’s likely to be on New Year’s Day, when the previous two specials have been broadcast. 

Doctor Who recently began filming for its new series, with BBC insiders confirming last month that it is still expected to air in 2021 as planned.

The last series ended on a shocking cliffhanger as the titular time traveller was transported to a mysterious alien spaceship.

She had just learned that her entire history on Gallifrey had been a lie, and she had also been the origin of her species’ method of regeneration. 

Back on TV! Doctor Who recently began filming for its new series, with BBC insiders recently confirming that it is still expected to air in 2021 as planned

Back on TV! Doctor Who recently began filming for its new series, with BBC insiders recently confirming that it is still expected to air in 2021 as planned