Created by Scott Frank.
Dept. Q premiered globally on May 29, 2025.
Distributed globally by Netflix.
Series Review
Dept. Q is a taut and atmospheric crime drama set in Edinburgh, adapted by Scott Frank from Jussi Adler Olsen’s novels.
Matthew Goode anchors the show as DCI Carl Morck, delivering a performance steeped in emotional complexity and sharp-edged wit.
He’s ably supported by Chloe Pirrie, Kelly Macdonald, Alexej Manvelov and Leah Byrne, each adding subtle charm and psychological depth to the cold case team.
The narrative moves deliberately, favoring character exploration over fast twists, a strength for viewers who savor mood, nuance, and slow burning tension.
Though the series occasionally dawdles in its nine episode arc, its strengths lie in the ensemble chemistry, crisp dialogue, and mood-heavy visuals.
Dept. Q is a slow burn thriller that rewards those willing to follow its emotional path.
Ratings
• IMDb: 8.2/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
• Google Audience Score: 83% liked this TV show
Dept. Q Actors
Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck
DOB: April 3, 1978
Bio: Matthew Goode, an English actor born in Exeter, studied drama at the University of Birmingham and honed his craft at London’s Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.
He began gaining attention in romantic dramas like Chasing Liberty and Brideshead Revisited, then expanded into period pieces and prestige television.
Role: A brilliant but sarcastic detective scarred by a shooting that left him wounded and his partner paralysed, Carl is forced to helm a new cold-cases unit in Edinburgh.
Episodes: 9 (all of Season 1)
What to Expect: A taut performance balancing dry wit and deep vulnerability, Goode channels Morck’s guarded intelligence and simmering guilt to anchor the series.
Favorite Things: Goode calls himself “a geeky country, golfing, fishing father of three.” He enjoys the outdoors, especially exploring Scotland’s landscapes during filming, and fondly recalls his family’s “crisis vacations” in Barbados during the pandemic.
Notable Works: Brideshead Revisited, Watchmen, The Imitation Game, Downton Abbey, The Crown, Stoker.
Chloe Pirrie as Merritt Lingard
DOB: August 25, 1987
Bio: Born in Edinburgh, Chloe Pirrie trained at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama after cutting her teeth on stage in the Scottish theatre circuit.
She broke out with her haunting performance in Shell (2012), which earned her the BIFA for Most Promising Newcomer.
Role: As Merritt Lingard, Pirrie portrays a fiercely intelligent prosecutor whose mysterious disappearance in 2020 becomes the first case tackled by Dept. Q.
Lingard is both the story’s victim and a powerful force within its layered mystery.
Episodes: 9
What to Expect: Pirrie brings steel-edged intensity and emotional grit as Lingard navigates captivity and conspiracy, expect a performance that shifts from icy poise to raw desperation.
Favorite Things: Pirrie enjoys quiet solitude, often retreating to the Scottish Highlands with books in tow.
She’s also passionate about cooking, particularly hearty stews shared with close friends, details she shared in an interview with The Scotsman.
Notable Works: Shell, Black Mirror (“The Waldo Moment”), The Crown, The Queen’s Gambit.
Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim
DOB: March 31, 1982
Bio: Born in Moscow and raised in Sweden, Alexej Manvelov initially worked in construction before pursuing acting, eventually earning a spot in a Stockholm drama school.
His performances often exude quiet intensity, with credits spanning Nordic noir (Before We Die, Top Dog) and international hits like Chernobyl and Jack Ryan.
Role: Akram Salim is a former Syrian police officer who now works as a civil employee in Edinburgh. He uncovers the long-buried Lingard case and becomes Detective Morck’s unlikely but indispensable partner.
Episodes: 9
What to Expect: Understated cool meets fierce determination, watch Manvelov craft Akram’s calm intelligence and surprising combat savvy.
Favorite Things: A passionate hiker and outdoorsman, Manvelov has spoken about how his Kurdish roots instilled a love for mountainous landscapes and large, shared family meals, especially during his time in Linköping. (From Dagens Nyheter interview)
Notable Works: Chernobyl, Jack Ryan, Top Dog, A Day and a Half, Before We Die.
Leah Byrne as DC Rose Dickson
DOB: November 22, 1996
Bio: A graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, Leah Byrne honed her craft on stage with the Dundee Repertory Theatre before transitioning to screen.
With appearances in Call the Midwife, Deadwater Fell, and Nightsleeper, Byrne has steadily built a strong résumé of emotionally grounded roles.
Role: DC Rose Dickson is a young constable still recovering from a personal breakdown. Determined to redeem herself, she persuades Morck to give her a spot on the newly formed cold-case unit.
Episodes: 9
What to Expect: Byrne injects Rose with emotional honesty and dogged curiosity, her persistence often tips investigations in unexpected directions.
Favorite Things: Known for her playful humor on Instagram, Byrne has declared undying loyalty to salad cream sandwiches and frequently shares her love of Glasgow’s indie live-music scene.
Notable Works: Call the Midwife, Deadwater Fell, Nightsleeper.
Jamie Sives as DCI James Hardy
DOB: August 14, 1973
Bio: Jamie Sives was born and raised in Edinburgh, attending Leith Academy before spending time working as a scaffolder and postman.
His passion for acting led him to train professionally, eventually earning breakout acclaim in Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself.
Role: DCI James Hardy is Morck’s former partner who was left paraplegic after the shooting that derailed their careers.
Though physically sidelined, Hardy becomes the team’s behind-the-scenes strategist, offering unwavering support and a sharp investigative mind.
Episodes: 9
What to Expect: Gritty warmth and sardonic banter, Sives balances Hardy’s physical vulnerability with razor-sharp insights.
Favorite Things: Sives is an avid fisherman and often refers to Scotland’s lochs as his “peaceful retreat.” Off set, he prioritizes family time and enjoys quiet escapes into nature. (Based on regional interviews).
Notable Works: Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself, Game of Thrones, Rockface, Frontier.
Kelly Macdonald as Dr Rachel Irving
DOB: February 23, 1976
Bio: Kelly Macdonald, born in Glasgow, was famously discovered at age 19 when she responded to a casting call for Trainspotting (1996), landing the role of Diane.
Her nuanced performances have since earned her critical acclaim, including an Emmy Award for The Girl in the Café and BAFTA nominations for No Country for Old Men.
Role: As Dr Rachel Irving, Macdonald plays the police therapist assigned to Morck. Compassionate yet cautious, Irving navigates her sessions with Carl while quietly battling her own unresolved trauma.
Episodes: 8
What to Expect: Macdonald brings quiet intensity and subtle wit, her sessions with Morck reveal emotional stakes beneath the procedural grind.
Favorite Things: Describing herself as a “movie-marathon mum,” she enjoys early morning runs along the River Clyde, making hearty homemade stews, and watching Disney classics with her two sons. (Based on an interview with the Evening Times).
Notable Works: Trainspotting, No Country for Old Men, The Girl in the Café, Boardwalk Empire, Brave, Line of Duty.
Kate Dickie as Chief Superintendent Moira Jacobson
DOB: July 4, 1971
Bio: Kate Dickie, born in East Kilbride, Scotland, is known for her emotionally raw performances in film, TV, and theatre.
She rose to prominence with her British Independent Film Award-winning role in Red Road (2006) and earned a Scottish BAFTA for Couple in a Hole.
Role: As Chief Superintendent Moira Jacobson, Dickie plays the no-nonsense senior officer who reluctantly authorizes the formation of Dept. Q.
Episodes: 6
What to Expect: A steely presence tempered by dry humor, Dickie portrays Moira’s high-stakes decision-making and unwavering support when crises hit.
Favorite Things: A passionate swimmer and self-taught painter, Dickie has shared in The Guardian that she finds peace in Glasgow’s art galleries and in tending to her backyard’s wildflower patch.
Notable Works: Red Road, Game of Thrones, Prometheus, The Witch, Couple in a Hole, Filth.
Mark Bonnar as Lord Advocate Stephen Burns
DOB: November 19, 1968
Bio: Born in Edinburgh, Mark Bonnar trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama after attending Leith Academy.
Known for his versatility and commanding voice, he has become a fixture in British television with standout roles in Guilt (as scheming Max McCall), Catastrophe, Shetland (as Duncan Hunter), Line of Duty, and Casualty
Role: As Lord Advocate Stephen Burns, Bonnar plays a powerful legal figure who once oversaw Merritt and now must navigate the fallout of Dept. Q’s findings.
Episodes: 8
What to Expect: Bonnar delivers suave authority mixed with buried tensions, expect icy politicking and occasional flashes of moral conflict.
Favorite Things: A longtime rugby enthusiast, Bonnar coaches youth rugby in his community and has shared his love for traditional Scottish country dancing during weekends with family. (The Scotsman).
Notable Works: Guilt, Catastrophe, Shetland, Line of Duty, Casualty.
Patrick Kennedy as Prosecutor Liam Taylor
DOB: August 26, 1977
Bio: Patrick Kennedy is a seasoned British character actor known for his elegant presence and emotional depth.
A graduate of Oxford University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), he has built a steady career in both film and television.
Role: As Prosecutor Liam Taylor, Kennedy plays a by-the-book yet empathetic legal mind who once worked alongside Merritt.
Now brought in to advise Dept. Q, he straddles the line between legal obligations and moral imperatives.
Episodes: 5
What to Expect: A measured, authoritative delivery, Kennedy brings gravitas to the series’ courtroom and press-conference moments.
Favorite Things: An avid classical guitar player and admirer of English countryside walks, Kennedy has shared his fondness for poets like Edward Thomas and John Clare in past interviews (The Guardian, Books section).
Notable Works: Atonement, War Horse, Mr. Holmes, Boardwalk Empire, Murder on the Home Front.
Steven Miller as Sam Haig / Lyle Jennings
DOB: March 13, 1982
Bio: Scottish actor Steven Miller trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and gained national recognition for his long-running role as Lenny Lyons in Casualty, appearing in over 100 episodes.
He has since built a reputation for emotionally layered roles in Holby City, Silent Witness, and stage work across the UK.
Role: In a major season twist, Miller plays both Sam Haig, a seemingly curious investigative journalist, and his true identity, Lyle Jennings, a calculating sociopath tied to an unsolved case.
Episodes: 9
What to Expect: A masterclass in unsettling calm, Miller shifts from amiable reporter to cold villain with heart-stopping precision.
Favorite Things: A proud theatre lover, Miller often returns to his roots in West Yorkshire’s regional theatre circuit. He’s credited local playwrights and small venues as his artistic foundation. (Interview in Northern Stage Weekly)
Notable Works: Casualty, Holby City, Payback.
Shirley Henderson as Claire Marsh
DOB: November 24, 1965
Bio: Born in Forres, Scotland, Shirley Henderson is a powerhouse of stage and screen.
She’s earned an Olivier Award for Girl from the North Country and multiple Scottish BAFTAs for her nuanced performances.
Role: Housekeeper and attendant to Merritt’s disabled brother, Claire’s quiet strength and insider knowledge become crucial to Dept. Q.
Episodes: 5
What to Expect: Henderson infuses Claire with maternal warmth and steel-edged protectiveness, watch her scenes for emotional grounding.
Favorite Things: A lover of long walks with her dog and Scottish folk music, she often escapes to the Highlands for peace among lochs and mountain trails. (Interview in The Scotsman).
Notable Works: Trainspotting, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Harry Potter, Happy Valley.
Catriona Stirling as DC Wilson
DOB: N/A
Bio: Catriona Stirling is a rising Scottish talent who honed her craft at the Oxford School of Drama following academic roots at Cambridge.
She first gained attention in the film Still Life and later appeared in the Amazon series Slaps.
Role: A steady presence in Dept. Q’s basement office, Wilson handles research tasks and on-site investigative support.
Episodes: 7
What to Expect: Quiet reliability, Stirling brings focus and an undercurrent of fierce intelligence to every scene.
Favorite Things: A classically trained viola player who enjoys chamber music concerts in Edinburgh and weekend sketch-comedy writing. (Alumni profile)
Notable Works: Still Life, Slaps.
More Actors
• Angus Yellowlees as PC Anderson
• Douglas Russell as Graham Finch
• Ellen Bannerman as Kirsty Atkins
• Gordon Brown as Detective Fergus Dunbar
• Tom Bulpett as William Lingard
• Clive Russell as Jamie Lingard
• Michelle Duncan as Dr. Fiona Wallace
• Alison Peebles as Ailsa Jennings
• Kai Alexander as Young Lyle Jennings (teen)
• Fraser Saunders as Harry Jennings
• Gilly Gilchrist as PC Cunningham
• Angus Miller as Colin Cunningham
• Aaron McVeigh as Jasper Stewart
• Sanjeev Kohli as Martin Fleming
• Jack Greenlees as Sam Haig (real identity)
• Kal Sabir as DCI Logan Bruce
• Aron Dochard as DC Clark
• Mark Cox as Duncan Finlay
FAQ – Dept. Q TV Series
What is Dept. Q and what is it based on?
Dept. Q is a British crime‑drama series adapted for Netflix by Scott Frank and co‑writers.
It is based on Department Q, a 10‑book Danish Nordic noir series by Jussi Adler‑Olsen.
How many episodes and seasons are out?
Season 1 consists of nine episodes, each running 42–71 minutes. Netflix has not formally renewed the series for a second season.
Will there be a Dept. Q Season 2?
Netflix has not confirmed renewal yet. Despite that, key cast like Goode and Pirrie have expressed strong interest publicly, and the underlying book series provides ample material for future seasons.
Was everything filmed on location in Edinburgh?
Yes. Production took place over approximately six months in 2024 across Edinburgh and East Lothian.
Is Dept. Q based on a true story?
No. The series is a fictional crime adaptation of Jussi Adler‑Olsen’s novels.
Conclusion
Dept. Q stands out as a gripping, character-driven addition to the crime drama genre.
With a grounded lead performance from Matthew Goode and a strong supporting cast, the series offers more than just cold-case puzzles, it dives into trauma, trust, and redemption.
Its slower pace may not suit every viewer, but those who appreciate thoughtful storytelling and emotional depth will find it richly rewarding.
Moody, introspective, and quietly intense, Dept. Q proves that justice isn’t just about solving crimes, it’s also about confronting the ghosts we carry.