James Corden 'cast in British Netflix crime thriller'
James Corden is stepping away from comedy to "show a different side" to his acting.
James Corden has reportedly been cast in Netflix thriller Dept. Q.
The 48-year-old comedian and former Late Late Show host is said to have landed a role as an "eccentric but brilliant" forensic psychologist in the new series of the streamer's tense crime drama.
A source told The Sun newspaper's TVBiz column: "Everyone tends to associate James with comedy roles, which is completely understandable given he is best known for Gavin and 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.”
Dept. Q, which is based on the Department Q novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen, earned rave reviews when the first season hit Netflix in May 2025.
A second series was quickly commissioned, and it's said James starts filming his scenes this week.
He's said to appear opposite Matthew Goode, who leads the thriller as Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck.
Meanwhile, James is also teaming up with Gavin and Stacey co-creator Ruth Jones on a new series for Apple TV focused on a local community choir.
Earlier this year, he confirmed the duo planned to start shooting in September.
Back in March, he told Virgin Radio's Chris Evans: "Ruth and I are writing a new show for Apple. It's called The Choir, it's about a community choir.
"We'll start shooting in September, it'll be on probably October next year.
"We hope its good, we're really enjoying writing it. We've written six episodes, we've gotta write two more."
James and Ruth will play siblings in The Choir, which will be set on a "coastal town" in England.
Almost a year ago, Deadline reported that the longtime friends' new show will focus on estranged siblings Ben (Corden) and Lisa (Jones).
Ben - who has been living abroad - travels back to a small English town where Lisa lives as he's made to "return to a life he never wanted" in a place he did not like.
