Picture Credits: Getty Images / Netflix
The hit British crime thriller Dept. Q is currently in production for its highly anticipated second season, and Netflix has now confirmed to What’s on Netflix that James Corden is officially joining the cast.
Based on Jussi Adler-Olsen’s novels and spearheaded by creator and showrunner Scott Frank (The Queen’s Gambit, Godless), Dept. Q was a massive breakthrough hit for Netflix when it debuted back in May 2025. Set in a moody Edinburgh, the Left Bank Pictures and Sony Pictures Television production was swiftly renewed in August 2025.
We’ve been keeping a close eye on the returning British series for a while now. We previously reported on early returning cast members and broke the news on season 2’s production timeline. Now, the series has landed a massive new name. Production for the new season has been underway since June and is expected to run through October with the second season adapting Jussi Adler-Olsen’s second novel, Disgrace.
Stepping away from his traditional comedy roots, James Corden is taking on his first major serious acting role in a drama. Corden will play Dr. Ben Smith, described as an “eccentric but brilliant forensic psychologist.” He will be acting opposite series lead Matthew Goode, who returns as the maverick Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck, operating out of an Edinburgh police station basement to solve the unsolvable.
The casting was first brought to light by The Sun, who reported that Corden is heading to Scotland to begin filming his scenes this week, citing sources who go on background to speak about Corden’s current career movements.
Speaking to the British tabloid, the TV insider touched on Corden’s departure from his usual comedy wheelhouse:
“Everyone tends to associate James with comedy roles, which is completely understandable given he is best known for Gavin & Stacey. But this will show a different side to James by placing him in a drama which, although it has a streak of sardonic humour running throughout, is ultimately about grisly murders and kidnappings.”
The insider added that landing Corden for his first full series with Netflix is “something of a coup as they remain the dominant streamer with a reputation for delivering quality dramas.”
While Corden is universally known for fronting The Late Late Show and co-creating Gavin & Stacey (which is gearing up for a highly anticipated festive farewell special that Netflix has reportedly been eyeing), his recent scripted acting credits include the 2022 Prime Video series Mammals and the upcoming Apple TV+ comedy The Choir.
Picture Credit: Netflix
Alongside Goode and Corden, the massive ensemble cast for Dept. Q season 2 features returning series regulars Mark Bonnar, Leah Byrne, Kate Dickie, Alexej Manvelov, and Jamie Sives. Recurring cast members expected to appear include Ross Anderson, Amy Brenneman, Tony Curran, Alex Ferns, and Aisling Franciosi, among others.
Are you looking forward to seeing James Corden flex his dramatic acting chops in Dept. Q season 2? Let us know in the comments below and for more on Netflix UK’s upcoming slate of new releases, keep it locked here on What’s on Netflix.
