Alex Kingston: Cancer shock led to career fears

Alex Kingston, known for her role in Doctor Who, has shared details of her 2024 cancer diagnosis and its impact on her career. The 63-year-old actress revealed that she had to step away from a planned television project shortly after her diagnosis, an action that felt deeply uncomfortable and fueled her anxieties about professional reliability. Initially, Kingston attributed her symptoms to the natural effects of aging, only to discover they were linked to her illness, which came as a profound shock.

By September 2025, Kingston had recovered sufficiently to join the cast of Strictly Come Dancing. She described the experience as a dream and a perfect antidote to her cancer treatment. Kingston expressed immense enjoyment from her time on the show, particularly praising her dance partner, Johannes Radebe. Her return to acting is underway with a role in ITV's upcoming spy thriller, Secret Service, scheduled for release later in 2026. Kingston views this part as an ideal way to ease back into her professional life after her treatment.