'Holby City' has resumed filming.

Nic Jackman

Nic Jackman

The long-running BBC drama paused filming earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but it has now restarted, with the cast and crew working on a special episode that sees the hospital gripped by the health crisis.

Kate Oates, the head of continuing drama at BBC Studios, said: "It's with great pleasure that we open the doors at Elstree to welcome back the exceptional cast and crew of 'Holby City'.

"We have some gripping stories to tell as we explore how the lives of our characters have been irrevocably changed since the start of the pandemic - and how our heroes battle against the odds, come what may."

The show is set to return to air later this year with a duration time of 40 minutes, which is slightly shorter than before.

The announcement was made shortly after Nic Jackman claimed he hadn't seen a 'Holby City' script "in months".

The Cameron Dunn actor also insisted he'd received "no news" about when filming was set to restart.

He said: "I've certainly had no news on that [filming starting], but I know the team have been working hard behind the scenes to get stories and scripts ready for when we can go back.

"I genuinely haven't seen a script in months. The last thing I did was sort of in mid-March."

The actor also admitted he expects there to be "challenges" as a result of social distancing guidelines.

He told the Daily Star Online: "I really don't know how it's going to work because obviously there's so many challenges in filming a show like 'Holby', with the restrictions and the social distancing in place.

"And in terms of story and where it's going to go I have no idea."