Netflix's crime thriller "Dept. Q" will lose a key supporting character in Season 2, as actor Kelly Macdonald will not return in the role of Dr. Rachel Irving due to scheduling conflicts with her commitment to HBO's "Lanterns". The departure was announced at the Bloody Scotland crime-writing festival and represents a significant loss, despite such circumstances being common in the entertainment industry. Rachel, who serves as Detective Morck's mandated therapist, has become a crucial character for maintaining the show's psychological depth and equilibrium.

The 2025 series, based on Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen's bestselling novels, has become a critical and popular success, with stars Matthew Goode, Leah Byrne, Alexej Manvelov, and Kate Dickie all confirmed to return for Season 2. Series co-creator Scott Frank made the announcement, confirming that whilst the main cast continues, Macdonald's character—who functioned as Morck's therapist and provided both an outsider's perspective and psychological balance—will be absent. The character was praised for transcending the typical "support system" archetype, offering genuine complexity and emotional depth to the narrative.