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Why Kelly MacDonald isn't returning for Dept. Q season 2 after key role in first run
McDonald played Dr Rachel Irving in season 1.
Netflix
- James Hibbs
Published: Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at 12:09 pm
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When the cast was confirmed for Dept. Q season 2, there was one particularly noticeable absence - Kelly Macdonald.
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Macdonald played the therapist of Matthew Goode's DCI Carl Morck, Dr Rachel Irving, in season 1 of the Netflix detective drama, and the two were seen getting closer right at the end of that run.
However, it has now been officially confirmed that she won't be back for season 2, with the show's creator and director Scott Frank explaining why during a panel at Bloody Scotland.
During the Q&A segment, Frank was asked about Macdonald's absence, and he revealed that it is was due to scheduling conflicts with DC series Lanterns.
As reported by What's on Netflix, Frank said: "She’s making another show. She’s doing Lanterns, so our show and their show couldn’t make it work."
Kelly Macdonald stars in DC's Lanterns John Johnson / HBO Max
However, Frank did concede that Macdonald "may come back" in a future season of the Edinburgh-based show, and that will depend on "how her career is going on the other show".
In Lanterns, Macdonald plays Kerry Kane, the Sheriff of Rushville, Nebraska, where much of the series takes place.
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Other cast members who will be returning for Dept. Q season 2 include Goode, Alexej Manvelov, Leah Byrne, Jamie Sives, Mark Bonnar Kate Dickie, Aaron McVeigh and Sanjeev Kohli.
During the panel at Bloody Sunday, executive producer Rob Bullock said that the production is current "15 weeks into a 20-week shoot".
"It’s long and gruelling hours and we are actually in the middle of night shoots as well," he added.
There are a whole host of new cast members joining for season 2, and while it has yet to be officially confirmed, it has been widely reported that one of them will be James Corden, playing forensic psychologist Dr Ben Smith.
Dept. Q is available to stream in full on Netflix now. Sign up for Netflix from £5.99 a month. Netflix is also available on Sky Glass and Virgin Media Stream.
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Authors
James HibbsDrama Writer
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
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