When I asked my followers in my Insta channel, Behind the Lens, to recommend some good TV Series, I didn’t expect to be quite so blown away with the first one. Netflix dropped Dept Q on 29 May 2025 and I caught up with it over the weekend and it is very, very good! Adapted to our screens by Scott Frank who also directed The Queen’s Gambit (which I also loved), this nine-episode crime thriller relocates the action from Copenhagen to a gloomy Edinburgh.
Plot and characters: gritty, flawed, compelling
DCI Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) is scarred—physically and psychologically—following a trauma, I won’t say anymore than that as this really is a good thing to not have spoiled. He gets given a newly formed department, with no budget and is forced to take up office in the basement, a former shower room in police hq. He is quite a grumpy character, which had me in stitches throughout. There is a lot of swearing, and it is quite gruesome in parts, so you will definitely need a strong stomach.
Morck gathers an unlikely team together in the form of:
- Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov), a former Syrian cop burdened by his past
- Rose Dickson (Leah Byrne), a young detective seeking redemption
- James Hardy (Jamie Sives), Carl’s former partner, now consulting after paralysis
They have to choose their first mission and it happens to be the cold case of Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), a Crown prosecutor who vanished years ago. The narrative alternates between the investigators and Merritt’s own harrowing experience, slowly pulling back the curtain on a dark conspiracy.
Atmosphere and direction: a moody masterpiece
Dept. Q nails its tone. I love the way it is filmed, the gothic architecture really creates a chill ambience. You really feel Morcks anger, well I think you feel everyone’s anger. Scott Frank’s meticulous direction ensures each lead carries emotional depth—from Carl’s PTSD to Akram’s unsaid trauma. I love seeing Akram and Morcks relationship develop. The first season has been brilliant, unravelling just enough of the layers to give you the story without ruining it. I had no idea what was going to happen in each episode and I really love that!
What critics are saying
- The Guardian praised it as a “grimy, gothic treat” elevated by a sharp script and strong ensemble. ft.com+11theguardian.com+11en.wikipedia.org+11.
- Entertainment Weekly awarded an A‑, admiring the blend of broken people seeking healing through crime‑closing rogerebert.com+14en.wikipedia.org+14time.com+14.
- Financial Times was slightly more tempered, commending the atmosphere but noting occasional disjointed storytelling and an abrasive lead ft.com.
Viewer voices
Reddit users reflect the mix of admiration and patience the series demands:
“It’s set in Edinburgh… The first episode is a bit of a slog for setting up the show, but after that the show gets better.”
“Dept Q on Netflix‑ actually deep detective show with interesting characters … Really hope this one gets renewed for a second season.”
Well, what do I think: Is it worth the watch? In a word, YES! Dept. Q will have you laughing, guessing and possibly watching with your eyes squinting shut. Despite other peoples reviews, I did not think it was a slow burn at all. I think the first 10 minutes completely had the opposite effect and I was drawn in. I really liked the way it flicked between stories and timelines, piecing it all together as Morck and the team did.
It kind of gave me Broadchurch vibes, with a more melancholy feel to it, like a dark true crime documentary. It was very well written and the characters are all portrayed perfectly. I wonder how many of them swear that much outside of the show?! Morck is a great character, the kind you wish you knew in real life and it is good to watch his journey and work out the clues around him, with him and the team.
I really wish this is renewed for a season 2. You can read more about the show and characters on Wikipedia. What did you think of the show? Check out my review of Happy Face, a true crime drama on Paramount+.
