“But, at the same time, it could be that people want pure escapism and they want something a lot lighter. Maybe they’ll run away from it. I think it’s so difficult to tell.”

Whatever happens, there’s one thing Panjabi can be proud of: The actor who’s had scene-stealing roles in “Bend It Like Beckham” and opposite Angelina Jolie in “A Mighty Heart,” is the series’ big star, her face on the poster, front and center.

“As a child growing up, I never felt I would have that opportunity because there weren’t that many roles for somebody like me leading a show. And I was quite happy to take second or third position as long as I was working,” she says. Of the producers handing her the lead, she says: “I’m sort of eternally grateful for that trust.”

Panjabi, who was born with the name Archana but changed it because teachers couldn’t pronounce it, has had quite a purple patch lately, with roles in “Run,” “Blindspot” and “I Know This Much Is True.” She’s grateful: “Our profession is feast or famine so it’s nice to be able to have these opportunities.”

These days, she’s on the set of “Departure” and it’s completely different from the last time. She and the cast are now tested for COVID-19 regularly, they keep face masks on until the moment the cameras start rolling, there are limited props and there’s plenty of sanitizer on hand.

“You have to train your mind differently. You have so many things to think about in terms of the script, but you also have to think of this additional element of taking care — to protect yourself and to protect others,” she says.