Dept. Q Season 2 Hits Filming Milestone as James Corden Joins and Kelly Macdonald Sits Out

Dept. Q Season 2 is deep into production, with filming well underway and Netflix still keeping the release date secret. The new season will explore more of Akram and Moira, while Kelly Macdonald is absent because of scheduling. James Corden also joins the cast as forensic psychologist Dr. Ben Smith.

What Is the Latest Dept Q Season 2 Production Update?

Image © 2026 Bloody Scotland / Paul Reich

Dept. Q Season 2 is deep into production, with the second season moving through a planned 20-week shoot around Edinburgh and beyond. Matthew Goode returns as detective DCI Carl Morck, while Scott Frank continues shaping the cold-case drama around the maverick Dept. Q team. Netflix has not announced a release date, but filming progress suggests the new season is moving steadily toward completion.

How Close Is Dept Q Season 2 to Finishing Filming?

Executive producer Rob Bullock said the team was “15 weeks into a 20-week shoot” during the Bloody Scotland panel. Night filming was also underway, and Scott Frank confirmed that production had expanded beyond Edinburgh, including time in Aberdeen. Radio Times estimated a late October 2026 wrap, while What’s on Netflix considers 2027 the safer release window.

• Filming progress: Production is well advanced, but Netflix has not confirmed the final wrap date.
• Expanded locations: Season 2 is using more settings outside the Edinburgh police station and central city locations.
• Creative lead: Master storyteller Scott Frank remains closely involved as writer and executive producer.
• Returning core: Matthew Goode, Kate Dickie, Alexej Manvelov, and Leah Byrne are among the returning cast members.
• Release timing: No official premiere date has been announced, so late 2026 or 2027 remains an estimate rather than fact.

The series continues its darkly humorous approach as a band of misfits tackle cases previously deemed unsolvable, with Carl leading the unit through difficult investigations and personal fallout.

What Cast and Story Changes Are Coming in Dept Q Season 2?

Season 2 will spend more time with Akram and Moira while introducing new faces. Matthew Goode said, “You start finding out about Akram,” and Alexej Manvelov described Akram as calm on the surface while “inside, he is raging.” Kate Dickie also confirmed viewers will see Moira Jacobson outside the office, including scenes at her flat.

• Akram’s story: Alexej Manvelov as Akram gets a deeper emotional arc tied to trauma, anger, and his role within the team.
• Moira expands: Kate Dickie’s Moira gets more personal material and time away from police headquarters.
• Kelly Macdonald exits: She is not returning as Dr. Rachel Irving because filming conflicted with Lanterns.
• New addition: James Corden joins as Dr. Ben Smith, an eccentric forensic psychologist.
• Other cast: Ross Anderson and Amy Brenneman are among the new cast members reported for the season.
• Main mystery: The central terrible crime and its links to rich and powerful people in Scottish society remain under wraps.

For now, Dept. Q Season 2 is defined by steady production progress, deeper character work, and a larger world around Carl, Akram, Moira, and the rest of the team as filming continues across Scotland.

Final Thoughts

Dept. Q Season 2 is moving ahead with Matthew Goode as detective DCI Carl Morck and the familiar team returning for another darkly humorous investigation. Production is well advanced, but Netflix has not announced a release date or revealed the central crime. Expect deeper stories for Akram, Moira, and DC Rose Dickson as the series expands its Edinburgh world.

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