Netflix's hit crime thriller Dept Q is not bringing back Line of Duty star for season 2

Dept Q writer and director Scott Frank has confirmed that one familiar face definitely won't be returning for season two.

Netflix fans are eagerly awaiting the next instalment of the crime thriller series, which is currently 15 weeks into a 20-week shoot, but the new episodes will be missing one particular character.

During an appearance at international crime-writing festival, Bloody Scotland, on 20 September, Frank was asked about the upcoming season and also Kelly Macdonald's absence.

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In reference to the Line of Duty actor, who played Carl Morck's therapist Dr Rachel Irving, Frank said: "She’s making another show," before adding: "She’s doing Lanterns, so our show and their show couldn’t make it work. But she may come back. We never know. Depends on how her career is going on the other show."

And when asked what he could tell fans about season two, Frank joked: "Nothing. It’s shit."

He went on to say: "Season two is going to be okay, fine. You’ll enjoy it, you can fold your laundry while you’re watching it."

What's on Netflix also reports that Matthew Goode, who plays DCI Morck in Dept Q, teased details about Akram Salim (played by Alexej Manvelov).

"This is what’s so interesting about season two — you suddenly start getting the scripts and you’re like, 'oh my God'," he hinted.

"You start finding out about Akram and you’re just like, awesome… those of you who like the show, you’re going to [be in] for an absolute treat."

Meanwhile, Manvelov said of his character: "It has to be a contrast to Carl, who’s insane. So Akram has to be secretly insane. But on the surface, he looks calm."

He went on to say that all of the team "deal with trauma… but they do it in different ways".

"And this is a facet of a person who already kind of thinks that he already dealt with that trauma. He’s all cried out, he’s all done. And now he’s being the stable point of gravity for the rest of the group. But of course, inside, he is raging," he added.

The first season of Dept Q premiered on Netflix on 29 May 2025. It follows DCI Morck as he leads a cold case department in Edinburgh's police force, with the figure looking into the disappearance of lawyer Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie).

Following the success of the first series, the show was renewed for a second season in August 2025. At the time, Goode said in a statement: "I'd like to thank Netflix for giving us the opportunity to further investigate Department Q's storylines.

"We have a wonderful cast and crew, headed by our resident genius Scott Frank. I cannot wait to read what comes from his magic quill!"

Dept Q is streaming on Netflix, and season two is on the way.

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Kirsty is a freelance writer and editor specialising in all things entertainment. Over the past 16 years, she has worked on showbiz desks at various national newspaper websites in London, including Express.co.uk, The Sun, and MailOnline.

More recently, she spent three years living in New York City writing celebrity and lifestyle news for DailyMail.com, The Mirror US, and Daily Express US. Kirsty graduated from Southampton Solent with a BA in Magazine Journalism and Feature Writing. When she's not watching reruns of Sex and the City, you'll find her listening to David Bowie and daydreaming about an espresso martini.