The departure of Sheridan Smith from Jonathan Creek will not be addressed on-screen.
The new series of the BBC One comedy-drama sees Creek (Alan Davies) solving mysteries alongside his wife Polly (Sarah Alexander).
"We don't mention [Sheridan's character] Joey," Davies confirmed to Digital Spy and others, on set for the new three-part run.
"It is the destiny of former sidekicks that they never get mentioned again! It is becoming a convention of this show."
Amateur detective Creek was previously assisted by Smith's Joey Ross, Julia Sawalha's Carla Borrego and, originally, Caroline Quentin's Maddie Magellan.
"He will never meet anyone quite like Maddy again," Davies acknowledged. "That part was deliberately written for Caroline because Caroline is pretty bonkers - she was brilliant in that role."
The new series of Jonathan Creek - the show's first full series for 10 years - begins tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
Alan Davies on new Jonathan Creek: 'He's ditched the duffle coat'
Watch a trailer for the new series of Jonathan Creek below:
