Dept Q, a Scottish-set crime drama on Netflix, has been hailed as the perfect series for fans of the genre. The show, adapted from an eleven-book Danish Nordic noir series by Jussi Adler-Olsen, has captured the attention of mystery enthusiasts and earned widespread praise.
A Beloved Book Series Comes to Screen
The original book series, translated into dozens of languages and previously adapted into a Danish film, provides a rich source material. Dept Q premiered in 2025, following DCI Carl Morck, played by Matthew Goode, as he returns to work after a tragic incident.
Instead of a warm welcome, Morck is relegated to a near-derelict basement office, once the police station's shower quarters, and assigned a mountain of cold cases. He is soon joined by Akram Salim, a Syrian former policeman (Alexej Manvelov), partner James Hardy (Jamie Sives), and rookie constable Rose Dickson (Leah Byrne).
Rave Reviews and a Central Mystery
The team investigates the disappearance of Crown solicitor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), the season's central plot. On Rotten Tomatoes, reviewers have been effusive: “A great, entertaining detective series with quirky, interesting characters, an amazing cast, morbid sense of humour, and a (cold) case that keeps you guessing,” wrote one fan, noting its appeal to “an audience that likes fleshed-out characters, black humour and a slow-burn mystery story.”
Some flagged a slower start, but quickly remedied: “This does take a couple of episodes to get going, but I can’t deny it’s a story well told and well worth watching.” Another admitted, “This is one of those shows that makes you wish you’d watched it sooner when you finally get around to it. The story is a thoroughly and expertly woven mystery that pulls you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat.”
Matthew Goode's Complex Character
Goode's performance as Morck was singled out as a selling point, described as “a complex main character that makes an impression as a particularly unpleasant person carrying a lot of rage and guilt who leaves you rooting for him the further things progress.” One review added, “The character arcs are satisfying, no side character feels underutilized, and that conclusion...”
Season 2 Confirmed
The first season's success led to Netflix producing a second season, as confirmed by the streaming service. Fans expressed relief and excitement: “If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and put this one at the top of your queue. After the credits rolled all I can say is I’m overjoyed and relieved that Netflix had the sense to renew this show and I’m very excited for Season 2!”
Another echoed, “Absolutely amazing, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters, the humor, the story itself... It’s all brilliant. Had me literally gasping when all the loose ends came together.” Dept Q is streaming now on Netflix.
