The Canadian thriller Departure aired from 2019 to 2022, delivering three seasons of high-stakes investigation. At its core, the series is anchored by a consistent trio of actors, though the supporting cast shifts with each new mystery. For anyone asking who appears in the series, the answer depends heavily on which season they are watching.
The series follows Kendra Malley, a skilled investigator, as she untangles complex aviation and transportation disasters. Emmy-winning actress Archie Panjabi leads the ensemble, supported by Mark Rendall and Kris Holden-Ried, who appear across the entire run. The late Christopher Plummer also features prominently in the debut season.
Below is a detailed, season-by-season breakdown of the actors and characters that make up the cast of the Departure TV series.
Who Is in the Main Cast of Departure?
The core cast consists of three actors who appear in every season, alongside several key figures who recur or guest star. This section identifies the primary players and maps them to their roles.
Archie Panjabi
as Kendra Malley
Seasons 1-3
Mark Rendall
as Theo Barker
Seasons 1-3
Kris Holden-Ried
as Dominic Hayes
Seasons 1-3
Christopher Plummer
as Howard Lawson
Season 1
- Archie Panjabi leads the series as Kendra Malley across all three seasons.
- Christopher Plummer appears only in Season 1, marking one of his final television roles.
- The core cast of Panjabi, Rendall, and Holden-Ried remains consistent throughout the series.
- Departure concluded in 2022 after three seasons, with no plans for a fourth or fifth.
- Karen LeBlanc is listed as appearing across Seasons 2 and 3 as Special Agent Ellen Hunter.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Departure |
| Years Active | 2019–2022 |
| Number of Seasons | 3 |
| Lead Actor | Archie Panjabi |
| Main Character | Kendra Malley |
| Notable Guest Star | Christopher Plummer (Season 1) |
Departure Season 1 Cast: Who Starred in the First Series?
The debut season introduced the central investigation team and a wide array of suspects and officials. Alongside the core trio, the season boasted a strong supporting ensemble.
Who plays Kendra Malley?
Archie Panjabi plays Kendra Malley, the lead investigator. She appears in 18 episodes across the series, according to IMDb listings.
Who played Howard Lawson?
Christopher Plummer plays Howard Lawson. Sources indicate he appears in 10 episodes, and while Wikipedia lists him as a main cast member for Season 1 and a recurring character for Season 2, his screen time is concentrated in the first season.
The Season 1 cast also includes Peter Mensah as Levi Hall, Sasha Roiz as Pavel Bartok, Rebecca Liddiard as Madelyn Strong, Shazad Latif as Ali Basra, Tamara Duarte as Nadia, Alexandre Bourgeois as AJ Malley, Kristian Bruun as Daniel Hoffman, and Dougray Scott as Ethan Moreau.
Departure Season 2 Cast: Who Joined the Series?
For the second season, the series introduced a fresh mystery and a largely new supporting cast. Christopher Plummer does not return as a main player.
Who joined in Season 2?
Karen LeBlanc joins as Special Agent Ellen Hunter. Other additions include Jason O’Mara as Max O’Neill, David Hewlett as Bill Ratch, Dion Johnstone as Jordan Cole, Kelly McCormack as Charlotte Jensen, Etienne Kellici as Lucas, Charlie Carrick as Richard Bright, Wendy Crewson as Diana Bright, Donal Logue as Sheriff McCullough, Florence Ordesh as Rose Tate, and Claire Forlani as Janet.
Departure Season 3 Cast: Who Returned for the Third Season?
The third and final season continued the pattern of introducing new faces while keeping the lead trio intact. Karen LeBlanc also returns as Ellen Hunter.
Who stars in Season 3?
The Season 3 cast includes Patrick Sabongui as Shakir Urgessa, Savonna Spracklin as Annie Sullivan, Mikaela Dyke as Terry-Lynn Crawford, Brit MacRae as Jessica Hicks, Cihang Ma as Michelle, Tyler Elliott Burke as Arlo Shank, Eric McCormack as Cole Banks, Pamela Estrada as Lily, and Ben Carlson as Jack Bazin.
Several actors appear across the series in guest or recurring capacities. These include Allan Hawco as Captain Richard Donovan, Greg Bryk as Tyler Brick, Jennifer Podemski as Gail, Konima Parkinson-Jones as Nina Collins, Paula Boudreau as Margery Shank, Jaeden Noel as Tyler Lupinski, Paris Jefferson as Gillian, and Thomas Craig as McCauley.
Is There a Departure Season 4 Cast?
The series Departure has three seasons, not four. Several online sources reference a fourth season, but this appears to be an error. IMDb, Wikipedia, TV Guide, and Rotten Tomatoes all list three seasons, airing from 2019 to 2022. There is no fourth season, and therefore no Season 4 cast.
Timeline of Cast Changes Across Departure
The following timeline shows the key casting shifts that occurred as the series progressed.
- 2019: Season 1 premieres. Main cast: Archie Panjabi, Mark Rendall, Kris Holden-Ried, Christopher Plummer.
- 2021: Season 2 premieres. Christopher Plummer does not return as a main cast member. Karen LeBlanc, Jason O’Mara, and Claire Forlani join.
- 2022: Season 3 premieres and the series concludes. New cast members include Patrick Sabongui, Eric McCormack, and Ben Carlson.
What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About the Cast?
Most information about the cast is well-documented across authoritative sources like IMDb and Wikipedia. However, some details require clarification.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Departure has 3 seasons. | Some sources incorrectly state there are 4 seasons. |
| Christopher Plummer appears in Season 1 only. | His exact status for Season 2 is listed as recurring by Wikipedia, but he does not appear in Season 3. |
| There is no Season 4 in development. | The series concluded in 2022, and no official announcements suggest a revival. |
| Archie Panjabi is the lead actress. | Other actors’ exact episode counts for each season are not always publicly listed. |
What Is the Background and Significance of the Departure Cast?
Departure is a Canadian-British thriller series that aired from 2019 to 2022. The cast is led by Emmy-winning actress Archie Panjabi, known for her role in The Good Wife, who portrays investigator Kendra Malley. The series also features the late Christopher Plummer in one of his final television roles. The core cast remained stable across all three seasons, with new supporting characters introduced each season to drive the anthology-style plots.
Where Do the Cast Credits Come From?
The primary sources for cast information on Departure are IMDb, Wikipedia, TV Guide, and Rotten Tomatoes. These platforms offer full cast lists, character names, and episode counts. Critic and user reviews often highlight the performances.
“Archie Panjabi delivers a compelling performance as Kendra Malley.”
— Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus (paraphrased)
“Christopher Plummer brings gravitas to his role in Season 1.”
— IMDb User Reviews (paraphrased)
Summary: Who Stars in Departure?
The cast of the Departure TV series is built around a steady core of three actors — Archie Panjabi, Mark Rendall, and Kris Holden-Ried — who appear in every season. Christopher Plummer joins for the first season, and a rotating ensemble of supporting actors fills out each new story. After three seasons and a conclusion in 2022, the cast list is complete.
For those interested in similar ensembles, you might want to look at the Cast Of Suspicion (2022 Tv Series) or the Cast Of Shetland (tv Series).
Frequently Asked Questions About the Departure Cast
How many seasons of Departure are there?
There are 3 seasons of Departure, airing from 2019 to 2022.
Who plays Theo Barker in Departure?
Theo Barker is played by Mark Rendall.
Who plays Dominic Hayes in Departure?
Dominic Hayes is played by Kris Holden-Ried.
Is Departure based on a true story?
No, Departure is a fictional thriller series.
Where can I watch Departure?
Departure is available on streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, depending on your region.
Who is the lead actor in Departure?
Archie Panjabi is the lead actress, playing the main character Kendra Malley.
Did Christopher Plummer appear in all seasons of Departure?
No, Christopher Plummer is a main cast member only in Season 1.
Who plays Ellen Hunter in Departure?
Ellen Hunter is played by Karen LeBlanc, appearing in Seasons 2 and 3.
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Isabelle Knight covers television series, streaming platforms and TV cast guides for UK viewers.