Matthew Goode Steps Into a Grumpy Role for Netflix's Dept Q, Showing a Different Side of His Acting

Matthew Goode is usually the charming guy, so seeing him as a grump in Dept. Q feels really fresh. He plays Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck, a brilliant but moody cop in Edinburgh's cold case unit. You know how some people are really good at their job but also really annoying? That is Carl. Even when people respect his skill, they quickly start to dislike him. It is a fun change for Goode, and it gives us a look at his acting range. This nine-part series is based on books by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen. Scott Frank, who made The Queen’s Gambit, is behind this show which launched recently.

It is not that Goode has never been the main actor before. He just did not enjoy it as much in the past. He said that after some bad experiences early in his career, he just wanted to be "not the lead anymore." He also admits actors do not get to pick if a main part is given to them. Scott Frank apparently fought to cast him in Dept. Q. The two first worked together on The Lookout in 2007. In that movie Goode played an American thief. This was a long way from the refined British roles Goode has played recently. Think of his suave characters in The Crown, Downton Abbey, and Freud’s Last Session. This new part in Dept. Q lets him break out of that typical image.

Matthew Goode and Scott Frank's Unique Working Relationship and Their Shared Humor

The Director's Fight to Cast Goode in a Role Different from His Usual Type

Matthew Goode and director Scott Frank talked about their working connection in an interview with The Associated Press. Goode called Frank his "father and son." Frank's response was funny, calling their relationship "taxing, toxic, troubling." Goode then joked that Frank is the "genius" and he just does what he says. Frank quickly added that he wished that was true. He said they go way back and he was lucky to have Matthew on his first film as a director. Frank said Goode was outstanding and made things easier for him. He said they truly know one another and he would work with Goode on everything he ever did. Then he added that Goode is "a pain in the ass." Goode responded that there "has to be some cost." This kind of back-and-forth really shows their comfortable and humorous bond.

Frank made a good point that Goode’s character, Carl Morck, reminds him of Goode in many ways. He said "To know him is to want to strangle him." Frank believes many people only see actors in one way because they just see the roles they have already played. They do not really pay attention to what else an actor can do. This role in Dept. Q is definitely not a period drama, which was part of the appeal for Goode. He feels grateful to Frank for giving him chances with characters others might not have considered him for. Goode said he thought this new part might seem more like something for Tom Hardy. But he sees himself as an actor who wants to be versatile. He does not always get that chance. So he feels very thankful to Frank for fighting for him to get this part.

Getting Into Character: Carl Morck's Difficult Personality and His First Time as a Detective

How the Show's Scottish Setting Brings a New Energy to the Story and Its Characters

Goode had not played a detective before, making this his first time. He jokingly mentioned his memory is not what it used to be with three kids. But he confirmed this is indeed his first detective role. Carl Morck seems to annoy everyone around him. Frank explained that many people Carl irritates are the ones you want him to annoy. But then others surprisingly do not let Carl get away with being Carl. They push back at him. This creates some interesting dynamics on screen. Carl is definitely not a posh character which also sets him apart from many of Goode's previous roles.

Frank moved the story from its original Danish setting in Copenhagen to Edinburgh, Scotland. It works really well in this new location. The character of Carl was made English. The show does not give too many details about his past right away. This allows for a sense of mystery and offers room for future seasons. There are 10 books in the series, so there is plenty of material if the show keeps going. This means we could get to know Carl and his history better over time.

The first episode shows Carl returning to work after a terrible incident. He is physically healed. His mental health is not doing well. We find out a rookie cop died and Carl's partner, Detective Chief Inspector James Hardy (Jamie Sives), is paralyzed because of the shooting. Carl’s colleagues are not happy he is back. His boss, Detective Chief Superintendent Moira Jacobson (Katie Dickie), sends him to the basement. She makes him the only member of a new task force called Department Q. Carl is tasked with solving a high-profile cold case to distract the public. He is determined to solve this crime, but he lashes out at everyone. He struggles to deal with his own pain.

Building a Team: The Supporting Cast of Dept Q and Their Contributions to the Show

New Detectives and How Their Personal Journeys Add Depth to the Cold Case Investigations

Carl eventually teams up with Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov) and Detective Constable Rose Dickson (Leah Byrne). Akram is a Syrian immigrant who works in IT. He has his own secrets. Rose is a young cadet who had been put aside after facing mental health challenges. This unlikely group works together, looking back at the missing person’s case. They try to find things that were missed before. The show is good at showing the patience and detailed work needed for a full investigation.

Frank and Goode both talked about the nerves that actors feel, especially on their first day of filming. Frank admitted everyone needs reassurance. Goode added that every actor he has ever met feels this way. Frank said that the first day is truly scary because you are in front of many strangers. Acting, he believes, is the hardest job because you make yourself vulnerable. Goode talked about how he likes to work. He prefers to give himself to the other actors with whom he has big relationships in the show. He said he is not competitive. He wants to share the screen. This is why he had a long lunch with Alexej Manvelov early on. He wanted them to have a great friendship. This kind of off-screen connection often helps with on-screen chemistry. It is clear that the cast truly works well together.

The show handles the grim details of the missing person’s fate. It does not shy away from showing difficult situations. The series is often dark and melancholy. Some have compared it to Apple TV+’s Slow Horses, which also features a cynical main character exiled to an undesirable department. Both shows feature brilliant men getting good work out of overlooked colleagues. However, Dept. Q leans more into a sad and dark tone. It focuses on the hard realities of the case and its characters. It shows how personal pain can come out when you least expect it.

Final Thoughts on Dept Q's Intense Storytelling and Matthew Goode's Performance

Why This New Crime Thriller Is Worth Watching and What It Means for Goode's Career

Dept. Q is deeply intense and complex. While its many twists and turns do not always perfectly resolve, the series is a gripping watch. Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), a prosecutor, has her own difficult storyline running alongside Carl’s. She faces threats and has to deal with a past she thought she had left behind. Her choices also affect her mentally disabled brother, William (Tom Bulpett). This side of the story adds more emotional weight to the series.

The show shows how both Carl and Merritt deal with their pain. Merritt pulls inward, becoming more paranoid. Carl is harsh and pushes forward. Alexej Manvelov's Akram provides a calm presence, sometimes striking witnesses and suspects by surprise. These different ways of handling pressure make the characters interesting to watch. The show's central mysteries are gripping, but it is the characters who really make it stand out.

Matthew Goode's performance as Carl Morck is strong. He manages to embody the character's challenging qualities while still keeping viewers interested. It is a testament to his skill that he can play someone so unlikeable yet still draw you in. This role certainly shows a new side of Goode. It moves him away from the charming characters he is known for. It is a welcome change for an actor with such talent. Dept. Q is definitely a show that makes you think and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is a strong new offering in the crime thriller genre.