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Gavin & Stacey icon tipped to join cast of Netflix's Dept. Q for second season in "eccentric" role
James Corden will reportedly play a forensic psychologist, Dr Ben Smith.
Netflix
- James Hibbs
Published: Tuesday, 1 September 2026 at 10:47 am
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After the highly anticipated second season of Netflix drama Dept. Q went into production in June, it has now been reported that Gavin & Stacey creator and star James Corden is joining the series.
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The Sun has reported that Corden will play an eccentric but brilliant forensic psychologist called Dr Ben Smith in the new season, and that he starts filming his scenes this week.
A TV insider told the publication: "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.
"It also sees him take on his first series with Netflix, which is something of a coup as they remain the dominant streamer with a reputation for delivering quality dramas."
James Corden. Karwai Tang/WireImage
Since playing Smithy for the last time in the Gavin & Stacey finale, Corden has been seen starring in the films Smurfs, California Schemin' and The Christophers. He also hosted FIFA World Cup on FOX After Hours in the US this summer.
He is also said to be working on a new series with Gavin & Stacey co-creator and co-star Ruth Jones. Titled The Choir, the project is being developed as an eight episode series for Apple TV.
Dept. Q season 2 will continue to star returning cast members Matthew Goode, Alexej Manvelov, Leah Byrne, Jamie Sives, Mark Bonnar, Kate Dickie, Aaron McVeigh and Sanjeev Kohli.
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Meanwhile, other new cast members joining for season 2 include Aisling Franciosi (Speak No Evil), Greg Wise (The Crown), Nicholas Rowe (Red Eye), Tony Curran (Outlander: Blood of My Blood) and Hamish Clark (Monarch of the Glen).
Alex Ferns (EastEnders), Ross Anderson (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms), Rebecca Root (Heartstopper) and Isla Johnston (The Queen's Gambit) round out the cast of the Edinburgh-based crime series.
Dept. Q season 1 is available to stream 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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