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Dept. Q, Netflix’s newest crime thriller show, comes from Afdeling Q, a bestselling Nordic noir book series by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen.
The novels revolve around a cold-case unit tackling Denmark’s most haunting unsolved crimes. The thriller books sparked a successful run of Danish film adaptations, starting with The Keeper of Lost Causes in 2013.
Now, the franchise has gotten a fresh twist with a brand-new TV adaptation. This time, the action shifts to Edinburgh, with The Queen’s Gambit creator Scott Frank at the helm and Matthew Goode stepping into the role of Carl Mørck, the detective leading the cold-case team. And with the crime thriller of it all, plus the compelling characters, this is perfect for anyone missing Mare of Easttown.Here's everything you need to know about Dept. Q, coming to Netflix May 29, 2025.
When can I watch Department Q on Netflix?
The newest version of Dept. Q premieres on Netflix on May 29, 2025. Whether you are a longtime fan of the books or brand new to the series, this adaptation offers a fresh and gritty take on the cold-case files, packed with mystery, emotion, and the kind of tension that lingers long after the credits roll.
Who's in the Dept. Q cast?
Netflix
At the core of Dept. Q is a trio of characters whose chemistry (and tension) drives the whole story. Carl Mørck, played by Mathew Goode, is brilliant but difficult, a detective whose sharp instincts are matched only by his rough edges.
His assistant, Assad, is loyal and quietly mysterious—his past isn’t fully clear, which only makes him more compelling. Rounding out the team is Rose, who’s sharp, grounded, and doesn’t let Carl’s attitude slide. Together, they form an uneasy but effective team, each bringing something different to the table as they reopen cases everyone else has forgotten.
Here's the full Dept. Q cast:
- Matthew Goode as Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck
- Chloe Pirrie as Merritt Lingard
- Jamie Sives as Detective Chief Inspector James Hardy
- Mark Bonnar as Stephen Burns
- Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim
- Leah Byrne as Detective Constable Rose Dickson
- Kate Dickie as Detective Chief Superintendent Moira Jacobson
- Shirley Henderson as Claire Marsh
- Kelly Macdonald as Dr. Rachel Irving
- Tom Bulpett as William Lingard
Where was Dept. Q filmed?
Jamie Simpson/Netflix
The setting of the show shifted from Copenhagen to Edinburgh, Scotland. “I hadn’t really seen a show in Edinburgh before, and it’s a beautiful city,” Scott Frank tells TUDUM. “When I went to go look at the city, I was like, ‘Okay, this is amazing. It’s the perfect combination between the modern and the medieval.’ They’re there side by side and it just works in such a lovely way.”
“Edinburgh is smaller than Copenhagen, but both are big port cities," Matthew Goode adds. "[With its] gothic architecture, and it being the judicial center of Scotland, it’s just a really lovely fit.”
Why Does Dept. Q Stand Out In The Detective Genre?
Netflix
What makes Dept. Q different from your average crime show is its focus on cold cases, which are long-forgotten crimes that still haunt the victims and investigators alike. The tone is dark, sometimes even chilling, but it’s grounded in real emotional weight.
The show digs into how these cases impact the people working on them—what they uncover, what they carry, and what it costs them. It’s not just about solving puzzles; it’s about what those puzzles do to the people trying to piece them together.
How Dark and Twisty Are The Cases?
Netflix
Let’s just say you should prepare to buckle up. The cases in Dept. Q are layered, intense, and often very unsettling. They deal with the kind of buried secrets and moral gray areas that will keep you guessing—and maybe even a little uncomfortable.
While avoiding spoilers, expect themes of betrayal, trauma, and redemption, with emotional and psychological twists that hit just as hard as the plot turns. It’s gripping, smart, and refuses to let you look away.
Check out The 8 Best Shows To Watch On Netflix In May for more!
