Netflix’s new British crime drama, Dept. Q, has quickly climbed to the top of the streaming charts since its release on May 29, 2025, captivating audiences with its dark, gripping storytelling and complex characters. Created by Scott Frank, known for his work on The Queen’s Gambit, and based on Jussi Adler-Olsen’s acclaimed Nordic noir novel series, the show reinvents the cold case unit story by transplanting it from Copenhagen to Edinburgh, Scotland.
At the heart of Dept. Q is DCI Carl Morck, portrayed by British actor Matthew Goode, who embodies a character burdened by guilt and sarcasm. Morck is a former top detective whose career took a devastating hit after a shooting incident left a young police officer dead and his partner paralyzed. As a result, he is exiled to the basement as the sole member of Department Q—a newly formed cold case unit that initially serves as a public relations stunt designed to distract from the failures of an under-resourced police force.
However, Morck’s sharp intellect and relentless determination soon turn the unit into a formidable team. Alongside him are Akram, played by Alexej Manvelov, DC Rose Dickson (Leah Byrne), and DCI James Hardy (Jamie Sives). Together, they dive into the chilling four-year-old missing persons case of Merritt Lingard, played by Chloe Pirrie, setting the stage for a season filled with suspense, emotional depth, and unexpected twists.
Matthew Goode revealed at a special screening in Soho, London, that Scott Frank advised him not to read the original Department Q novels before filming. This creative choice allowed Goode and Frank to develop a distinctly English version of Morck, making him an outsider in Edinburgh’s police force. “Scott really freed me up,” Goode explained, noting that relocating the story to Scotland enabled a rich socio-political and economic backdrop that fit the narrative better than the original Danish setting.
Goode praised Frank’s approach to storytelling, highlighting his intelligence and refusal to patronize the audience. “It’s a very taut, very dark, brilliant crime thriller with also a lot of levity,” he said. “It’s also very amusing, and one of Scott’s pet hates is any kind of sentimentality. So it’s a slow burn, but it unfurls itself beautifully.”
Jussi Adler-Olsen, the author of the original novels, expressed mixed feelings about previous film adaptations of his work, describing their screenwriting as “terrible, terrible in so many ways.” However, he lauded Frank as “the best writer in the world,” confident that this new adaptation would do justice to his stories. “I’m astonished how in the world is the story turning this way, I can’t believe it,” Adler-Olsen remarked, eager to see how the narrative evolves in its new Scottish setting.
The cast also includes notable Scottish actors such as Shirley Henderson, famed for her role as Moaning Myrtle in the Harry Potter films, and Mark Bonnar, known for detective series Guilt and Shetland. Swedish actor Alexej Manvelov rounds out the ensemble, adding to the show’s international flavor.
Despite its auspicious debut, Dept. Q encountered a curious hiccup shortly after its premiere. Approximately 19 hours post-release, all nine episodes mysteriously vanished from Netflix’s platform, sparking confusion and frustration among viewers. Social media buzzed with reports of the disappearance, though other Netflix titles remained accessible. The series reappeared on the platform later that evening, around 10:38 pm ET, but Netflix has yet to comment on the cause of the outage.
Critics and viewers alike have noted that Morck’s character shares traits with other beloved anti-heroes in the crime genre, combining the gruffness of Gary Oldman’s Jackson Lamb from Slow Horses with the sharp intellect of Jack Lowden’s River Cartwright. However, comparisons aside, Dept. Q offers a fresh take on the cold case formula, blending Nordic noir’s brooding atmosphere with uniquely British socio-political nuances.
The show’s debut season has left audiences eager for more, with many hoping for a Season 2 renewal to continue following Morck and his team as they tackle Edinburgh’s darkest mysteries. The combination of a stellar cast, intelligent writing, and a compelling central mystery seems to have struck a chord with viewers worldwide.
In addition to Dept. Q, the streaming landscape this summer offers a variety of intriguing options. The fourth season of Resident Alien is set to return on June 6, with episodes dropping on Peacock a week after airing on Syfy and USA Network. Meanwhile, beloved animated series Phineas and Ferb makes a highly anticipated comeback after a decade-long hiatus, promising new adventures for fans old and new.
Netflix also introduces Sirens, a drama featuring an all-star cast including Meghann Fahy, Julianne Moore, Milly Alcock, and Glenn Howerton of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame. Anime enthusiasts have their eyes on Solo Leveling, the buzziest anime show of 2025, which explores a world overrun by portals to dangerous dungeons filled with monsters and treasure.
For those interested in culinary journeys, PBS’s The Grocery List Show, hosted by former Top Chef contestant Chrissy Camba, offers a fresh take on the everyday grocery store experience, blending personal stories and food culture.
With a vibrant mix of returning favorites and new offerings, the current TV and streaming season promises something for every taste. Yet, it’s clear that Dept. Q has emerged as a standout, captivating audiences with its blend of mystery, character depth, and atmospheric storytelling.
As fans await news of a second season, the buzz surrounding Dept. Q serves as a reminder that well-crafted crime dramas continue to hold a powerful place in the entertainment world—especially when they bring fresh perspectives and compelling characters to the screen.
