EXCLUSIVE: Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker’s third series as the Doctor will run to just eight episodes because of coronavirus restrictions on filming

Doctor Who’s new series will have just eight episode because of coronavirus

Jodie Whittaker’s third series as the Doctor will run to just eight episodes – after three were dropped because of Covid-19.

The 13 series has started its 10-month shoot and is expected to air late next year.

But several episodes have been shelved because the new safety regulations means that each instalment is taking longer than usual to film.

Showrunner Chris Chibnall told the Mirror he was “thrilled” to be able to make the show at all. “In this strangest of years, the Doctor Who production team have worked wonders to get the show back into production,” he explained.

“Given the complexity of making Doctor Who, and with new and rigorous Covid working protocols, it’s going to take us a little longer to film each episode, meaning we expect to end up with eight episodes, rather than the usual eleven.

“But rest assured, the ambition, humour, fun and scares you expect from Doctor Who will all still be firmly in place. For everyone around the world, this is a challenging period — but the Doctor never shirks from a challenge.”