Netflix just dropped its new crime drama Department Q. It takes us to Edinburgh and stars Matthew Goode as Carl Morck. He is a detective returning to work after a terrible incident. His new job is to run a cold case department in the police basement. I am sure you have seen this kind of character before. He is a brilliant but grumpy detective with a messy home life. We get a lot of those on TV. But this show might just be worth your time.
The series comes from Scott Frank who you might know from his work on Godless and The Queen's Gambit. It is based on a book by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen. If you are a fan of dark crime thrillers this show is probably for you. It feels like a good fit for anyone waiting for the next big mystery story to hit the streaming service.
The story starts with Morck and Detective Inspector James Hardy (Jamie Sives) investigating a crime scene. A younger officer is also there. Then a masked man shows up and starts shooting at them. Morck gets hurt in the attack. Hardy becomes paralyzed. The younger officer dies. When Morck finally goes back to work he is sent to run this new cold case department. It seems like they just want to keep him out of the way. He is joined by Salim (Alexej Manvelov). Salim is a Syrian police officer who had to leave his home. Now he works in Edinburgh. They start digging into the disappearance of Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie). She was a prosecutor who went missing four years ago. This case soon turns into a much larger mystery.
Why Netflix's Department Q Has Critics Talking And Fans Hooked On Its Cold Cases
From Gritty Scenes To Engaging Characters, The Show Hits Many Of The Right Notes
The nine-episode first season arrived on May 29. It has received mostly good reviews. The Guardian called it a "grimy, gothic treat." Variety described it as an "emotionally fraught crime thriller that never lets up." It seems people are enjoying its dark atmosphere and emotional depth. I found myself drawn into the mystery right away, even with a lead character who is not exactly easy to like.
DCI Carl Morck’s personality is certainly a bit rough. He is the kind of character you might want to punch in the face. But Matthew Goode, a professionally charming actor, manages to make him watchable. Morck has his reasons for being so sour. He is recovering from an attack that paralyzed his partner. He is also raising a difficult teenager. But his constant bad mood can sometimes feel a bit much on screen. Luckily his co-stars help balance things out. They bring a bit of mystery and quirk to the department. This stops Morck's unpleasantness from becoming too annoying.
Alexej Manvelov plays Akram. He is a calm and always polite Syrian refugee. He is assigned to Morck’s new cold-case department as an admin assistant. But his skills go far beyond filing papers. Akram is good at baking sweet treats and also at fighting. He has a mysterious past. This keeps you guessing about him. Leah Byrne plays Rose. She adds a dash of fun to the dreary office. Rose is a young detective forced into deskwork after a traumatic event. She is bright and chatty. She brings humor and makes the department more likable. Akram’s hidden past also keeps you wondering about the story.
The show has a lot of Scottish talent too. Kelly Macdonald, Mark Bonnar, Shirley Henderson, Jamie Sives, Clive Russell, Stuart Bowman, and Kate Dickie are all in it. There is so much talent. It almost makes up for the fact that Morck, the main character, is English. Some locals in the show do not seem to like him being English. This is another small detail that adds to the show's feel.
What Makes Department Q A Standout In A Crowded World Of Detective Shows?
Beyond The Grumpy Lead, The Show's Supporting Cast And Story Structure Keep Things Interesting
Once Department Q gets its office set up, it starts on its first case. This series covers the first of Adler-Olsen's 10 books. Four years ago a woman went missing. Everyone thought she had taken her own life. But Morck’s gut feeling and his distrust of people lead the team to a remote Scottish island. There they uncover a conspiracy that might reach very high up. This case has many twists and turns. It keeps you wondering what will happen next. This makes it perfect for binge-watching.
The show also tells a parallel story about a young and ambitious prosecutor named Merritt Lingard. Chloe Pirrie plays her very well. There is also an investigation into the shooting that put James Sives’ DS Hardy in the hospital. We also see Morck’s therapy sessions with Kelly Macdonald’s Dr. Rachel Irving. She gives a strong supporting performance. These different stories play with time. They give us several ways to get into the case. But mostly this is a straightforward police show. It has the expected suspicious higher-ups, false clues, and cliffhangers.
The show also has a dark sense of humor. This does not make it totally different from other shows but it does set it apart from the most basic crime stories. For example, Morck’s wife is not dead. He does not spend his nights drinking alone. Instead, he argues with a moody teenager and his strange housemate. This housemate is a comedian named Sanjeev Kholi who plays a student who never seems to finish his studies. These small details add to the show’s unique feel.
The show just works. It is interesting enough and funny enough to make it a good way to spend a few evenings watching TV. Thanks to Akram and Rose, the show has the makings of a likable team. Even if Morck is not as great as characters like Jackson Lamb from Slow Horses, the show has potential. If it gets more seasons, it could really find its own path and lean into its strengths: the great cast and the dark humor. However, it is not always easy for new shows to get new seasons.
Will Department Q Get A Second Season And What Does The Cast Think About Returning?
The Future Of The Show Looks Promising With More Books To Adapt And Eager Actors
Department Q has not been renewed for a second season yet. Netflix often waits to see how many people watch a series in its first few weeks. Then they decide if they will bring Matthew Goode back to solve more cold cases. I am hoping they see enough interest to continue this story. The show has a solid foundation for future seasons.
The good news is that there are many more stories for Netflix to use. Jussi Adler-Olsen's series has 10 books. This means there are plenty of other mysteries to draw from if Department Q gets the green light for season two. Matthew Goode already spoke about wanting a second season. He told Yahoo UK that he told the director and writer that they "really need to do" another season. He even said the show could have more fight scenes in season two. His co-star Chloe Pirrie also agreed. She said she would "love to see more" and found the characters "such fun to be with." This eagerness from the cast is a good sign.
It is worth noting that the first six books have already been made into movies in Denmark. The remaining four movies are planned to come out between 2026 and 2032. This shows that the stories have a proven track record. It also means there is a lot of material to work with for a TV series. Knowing there are so many books makes the idea of a second season feel much more possible. It is always good when a show is based on a successful series with plenty of source material.
The depth of talent in this show’s cast is amazing. Sometimes, it almost works against Department Q. When you see actors like Mark Bonnar and Jamie Sives on screen, it is hard not to remember their great work in other shows. Their characters had richer dialogue in crime dramas like Guilt. The same goes for Matthew Goode, Kelly Macdonald, and Shirley Henderson. These are all excellent actors. They sometimes feel limited by the typical crime show material here. But they all make Department Q better. It makes you think about how good this group could be if they were not tied to the usual rules of a police show. Even so, I found myself enjoying the show and I am hopeful that Netflix will give it a chance to continue.