Gavin & Stacey’s James Corden bags first serious acting role in huge new British Netflix drama in ‘coup’ for streamer

GAVIN & Stacey funnyman James Corden has landed his first serious acting role in a huge British Netflix drama. I can reveal the star will play an eccentric but brilliant forensic psychologist called Dr Ben Smith in the new series of crime thriller Department Q. James Corden has landed his first serious acting role in a huge British Netflix drama Credit: Alamy There was also talk that Netflix might swoop in and buy up the farewell festive special of Gavin & Stacey Credit: Handout He starts filming his scenes this week. James will appear ­opposite leading man Matthew Goode, who plays the central character, Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck, in the Edinburgh-based show. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! A TV insider said: “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.” Based on the novels by Danish writer Jussi Adler-Olsen, Department Q was a breakthrough hit for the streaming service last year. It received rave reviews and enjoyed great viewing figures when it dropped in May 2025. Not surprisingly, series two was commissioned within months. Most read in TV Previously, James’ roles have tended to be comedy-based, including appearances on Doctor Who and Fat Friends, which were both years ago. More recently, he has worked on streaming projects including the 2022 series Mammals on Prime Video, as well as upcoming Apple TV+ comedy The Choir with his Gavin & Stacey co-star and co-creator, Ruth Jones. There was also talk that Netflix might swoop in and buy up the farewell festive special of Gavin & Stacey. But it ended up staying with the BBC and aired there on Christmas Day 2024. It looks like Netflix kept hold of James’ number . . . LIFE NOT A JOY COL? Colin Firth seems to be carrying some emotional baggage as he plays a husband embroiled in a love triangle Credit: Click News and Media Firth stars as academic Dr Alex Comfort, author of Seventies bonking bible The Joy Of Sex, in his new drama of the same name Credit: Click News and Media Laura Linney plays his wife Ruth and Julianne Moore as his mistress Jane Henderson Credit: Click News and Media Laura Linney as wife Ruth in The Joy Of Sex Credit: Click News and Media COLIN FIRTH seems to be carrying some emotional baggage as he plays a husband embroiled in a love triangle. The actor stars as academic Dr Alex Comfort, author of Seventies bonking bible The Joy Of Sex, in his new drama of the same name. He appears opposite Laura Linney as his wife Ruth and Julianne Moore as his mistress Jane Henderson. But it’s not as sexy as it sounds, with our pics appearing to show Ruth, inset, hurling her hubby’s belongings from a window as he scuttles off with suitcases in hand. The true story of the sex manual’s development shows how Comfort’s unusual approach to love-making was mirrored in his private life. Can such a tangled relationship ever have a happy ending? STUNTS ON VIGIL A BLAST Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie said they loved feeling like movie stars with their high-octane stunts while filming Vigil’s third series Credit: BBC SURANNE JONES and Rose Leslie said they loved feeling like movie stars with their high-octane stunts while filming Vigil’s third series. With a dead body, a bomb blast and a hostage situation, the BBC thriller, starring the pair as a detective couple, came back with a bang. “This is kick-ass,” said Suranne with a smile. But the Doctor Foster star said she wasn’t allowed to do one stunt – being dropped from a helicopter. “Insurance said I couldn’t. So I was like, ‘What? I took it on for this.” Rose enjoyed a more action-packed series this time, having been pregnant with each of her two children while filming the first and second seasons. This series takes place in the Arctic and the cast and characters had to carry rifles to protect themselves from bears. “We saw a fresh bear footprint in the snow and it was the size of a dinner plate,” said Rose. Having to carry heavy rifles “killed our backs” said Suranne, but it was a small price to pay compared to series one’s location. “I’m thrilled there are no submarines!” she added. DAVINA’S REALITY NO-GO Davina McCall has confirmed she gets asked every year to compete in Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! Credit: Getty DAVINA McCALL has confirmed she gets asked every year to compete in Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here! And each time The Masked Singer and Long Lost Family host gives the BBC and ITV a polite, but firm, “No, thanks”. Discussing her TV career as she received the Outstanding Contribution award at the Edinburgh TV Festival last week, she explained her reasons. Davina said: “Why haven’t I done the jungle? Because you’re laying yourself completely bare and I like to keep a bit of me for my family and for my husband Michael (Douglas).” As for Strictly, the explanation is much less spiritual. “It’s because it’s on in the run-up to Christmas,” she said. “And I just love Christmas too much.” You gotta love Davina. JACOB IS ALL IN ON PLOT Jacob Roberts says he did a lot of research before filming his harrowing male breast cancer storyline Credit: ITV CORONATION Street’s Jacob Roberts says he did a lot of research before filming his harrowing male breast cancer storyline. His character Kit gets the shock news that he has the deadly BRCA gene and a stage three tumour. As well as working closely with charities, Jacob spoke to co-star Sally Dynevor. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, at the same time that her TV character, Sally Metcalfe, was battling the disease. She put Jacob in touch with a cancer charity. “I found a group chat with a load of guys and I found that really helpful because it’s just blokes talking,” Jacob says. “It was such a nice way of getting an insight into how people felt at certain points. “The more you speak to the guys, the more it feels like I want to do them justice.” As he undergoes treatment, Kit will lose weight and his hair. “I’ve never wanted to shave my head, but I’m not going to do this part justice if I don’t,” Jacob added. CHRIS IN STREET SUPPER Chris Edgerley has returned to telly with a role on Coronation Street Credit: ITV AFTER treading the boards in some of the country’s biggest shows, Chris Edgerley has returned to telly with a role on Coronation Street. The actor, who was in The Bodyguard: The Musical, alongside Alexandra Burke, made his debut in the ITV soap last night. In a scene that also featured Ronnie Bailey (Vinta Morgan), Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) tried to pull Chris’s character as he had dinner. Chris said: “It’s always been a goal to be on Corrie, so to make my debut on the cobbles has been a dream come true. “Everyone on set was so welcoming, it felt like home. I’d love for this episode to lead to a regular role.” Chris got his big break presenting kids’ TV show Hi-5 on ITV from 2008 to 2011. This winter he will swap the cobbles for the Yellow Brick Road, as he stars alongside Jake Quickenden in The Wizard Of Oz in Colchester, playing the Tin Man. Comment now