Benedict Cumberbatch and Frances McDormand will not return for Good Omens' second season

The full cast of heavenly and hellish characters for the second season of Neil Gaiman’s Good Omens has been unveiled, with a balance of returners and new additions. However, two familiar voices that will not be returning for season two are those of Frances McDormand and Benedict Cumberbatch.

Throughout season one, McDormand voiced the role of the almighty God, who served as the narrator for the apocalyptic tale. Cumberbatch voiced God’s counterpart, the 500-foot tall and absentee father Satan. It’s unclear if their roles have simply been written out of the new material in season two, or if they will be replaced by new actors.

Those reprising their roles include Derek Jacobi as Metatron and his I, Claudius co-star Dame Siân Phillips. More season two returners are Mark Gatiss (Sherlock), Steve Pemberton (Killing Eve), Reece Shearsmith (Inside No. 9), and Niamh Walsh. Cast newcomers include Tim Downie (Outlander), Pete Firman, Andi Osho (I May Destroy You), and Alex Norton.

Other confirmed returning cast members include Jon Hamm, Miranda Richardson, Maggie Service, Nina Sosanya, Doon Mackichan, as well as Gloria Obianyo, Liz Carr, Quelin Sepulveda, and Shelley Conn. It’s possible these cast members could take on new roles, or reprise their roles from season one.

“We are so thrilled that we were able to get so many fabulous actors to return to the Good Omens family. Some of them are reprising roles, some of them are playing completely new characters,” says Neil Gaiman, who serves as writer and co-showrunner. “And we are just as thrilled by the people coming to the Good Omens team for the first time. We have an ensemble cast of astonishing talent, and seeing what they’re giving us is a daily treat. I can’t wait until the rest of the world gets that treat, too.”

Gaiman continues to serve as executive producer and co-showrunner with Douglas Mackinnon, who has returned to direct. Gaiman co-wrote season one with John Finnemore, and the two are joined by new writers Cat Clarke, Jeremy Dyson, and Andy Nyman for the second season.

Michael Sheen and David Tennant will return as Aziraphale and Crowley for another potential apocalypse-avoiding adventure on some date not yet disclosed by Amazon.