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NBC’sThe Irrationalfilled a crucial spot in the network’s strike-affected fall slate in 2023, and now the unorthodox procedural has scored a season 2 renewal. The series is loosely based on the best-selling nonfiction bookPredictably Irrationalby Dan Ariely, and concerns Alec Mercer (Jesse L. Martin), a behavioral psychologist who assists the police in various high-profile cases using his knowledge of the human mind. Though an expert in his field, Mercer finds he is no match for a domestic terrorist who trounces all of his ingenious theories.
While the critical reaction to season 1 was lackluster (viaThe Hollywood Reporter), the clever and original premise kept the audience engaged. This was due largely to the dearth of content in the 2023 fall season because ofthe Hollywood strikeswhich brought the film and TV industry to a halt throughout most of the year. NBC was quick to renew the series for a second season, and the shocking kidnapping of Rose in the season 1 finale lit a fire of excitement under the burgeoning procedural. Now, season 2 will be the true test ofThe Irrational’s staying power.
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The Irrational Season 2 Latest News
A New Cast Member Is Added
Though few details are known about the character, his debut episode will air on August 17, 2025, meaning he will be a late-season addition.
With the sophomore season’s return just around the corner, the latest news confirmsa new cast member is joiningThe Irrationalseason 2. Continuing the show’s trend of putting Alec’s family at the forefront of the story,Ron Canada (The Shield) has been tapped to play the role of Alec and Kylie’s father. Though few details are known about the character, his debut episode will air on July 14, 2025, meaning he will be a late-season addition.
The Irrational Season 2 Release Date
The Procedural Returns In October
The Irrational’s first season was somewhat unusual, and it was one of only a handful of new series which anchored NBC’s fall slate which was affected by the 2023 strikes. Now, however, the Jesse L. Martin-led procedural has been given its proper place in the upcoming fall schedule and will begin airing onTuesday, August 10, 2025, at 10pm.The Irrationalwill now share a night with the popular sitcomNight Courtand the upcoming medical comedySt. Denis Medical.
The Irrational Season 2 Cast
Jesse L. Martin Returns As Professor Alex Mercer
Though the full ensemble hasn’t been confirmed yet,the cast ofThe Irrationalis returning for the sophomore season en masse, even characters who were seemingly on the way out. First and foremost,Jesse L. Martin will return as brilliant psychologist Alec Mercer, and he’ll be joined by his ex-wife and FBI Agent Marisa Clark, played by Maahra Hill. Showrunner Arika Lisanne confirmed that Molly Kunz’s Phoebe will be back in season 2, even though her character has seemingly left.
Professor Mercer’s new girlfriend, Rose, was a crucial part of season 1, and her kidnapping in the season 1 finale means that Karen David will probably be back as well. With that new storyline in mind,it’s highly likely that the sophomore season will add a slew of new charactersin order to flesh out the ensemble. One confirmed newcomer is Ron Canada (The Shield) who will appear as Alec and Kylie’s father.
The Irrational Season 2 Story Details
Who Kidnapped Rose?
Even though the finale ofThe Irrationalseason 1 wrapped up its domestic terrorism plot nicely, the last few moments of season 1, episode 11, offered a twist that set up season 2. With the church bomber in custody,Alec was shocked to witness his new girlfriend Rose kidnapped by a group of strangers in a black van. Nothing about this storyline was teased in season 1, and the identity of the snatchers is wholly unknown. Most likely, they will have something to do with Mercer’s past, andseason 2 will see him use his mental miracles to find Rose and bring the culprits to justice.
The Irrational
Cast
Based on the novel by Dan Ariely, The Irrational is a crime drama series created by Arika Mittman. Alec Mercer, a behavioral psychology professor, is enlisted for his uncanny ability to profile and analyze people. Helping to solve several cases for governing bodies, Mercer’s world is shaken when he finally meets his equal in a female suspect in a domestic terror case.
