Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the crime thriller series Dept. Q, which premiered on Netflix on May 29, 2025, and has already become one of the most critically acclaimed detective shows of the year.
Released on May 29, 2025, this British crime drama series consists of six hour-long episodes that dive deep into Edinburgh’s most haunting cold cases. Created by Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani (The Queen’s Gambit), the series is based on the bestselling novels by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen, though relocated from Copenhagen to Scotland’s capital city.
Starring Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck, alongside Chloe Pirrie, Alexej Manvelov, Kelly Macdonald, and Leah Byrne, Dept. Q follows a brilliant but damaged detective who leads an unconventional cold case unit. Filmed between February and June 2024 in Edinburgh, this is a story that explores trauma, redemption, and the relentless pursuit of justice for forgotten victims.
Carl Morck: A Detective Haunted by Tragedy
Carl, a former top-rated detective, is wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralyzed and another policeman dead. Matthew Goode plays DCI Carl Morck, a brilliant detective whose razor-sharp sarcasm and abrasive nature have earned him few friends within the police force, still reeling from a tragic shooting. His assignment to head the newly formed Department Q becomes both punishment and potential salvation.
Department Q: The Misfit Cold Case Unit
A brash but brilliant cop becomes head of a new police department, where he leads an unlikely team of misfits in solving Edinburgh’s cold cases. The department serves as a dumping ground for cases deemed unsolvable, but Carl and his team approach each investigation with fresh perspectives and unconventional methods. Their dynamic creates both tension and breakthrough moments as they tackle cases that have stumped investigators for years.
Complex Characters with Hidden Depths
Chloe Pirrie, Alexej Manvelov, Kelly Macdonald, and Leah Byrne round out the ensemble cast, each bringing unique skills and personal baggage to Department Q. Their characters serve as both colleagues and unofficial therapists for Carl, creating a found family dynamic within the police procedural framework. The chemistry between cast members elevates the show beyond typical detective series.
The Investigation Process: Psychological Depth Meets Procedural Excellence
Each episode focuses on cold cases that have been forgotten by the system but never by the victims’ families. The series excels at weaving together past and present, showing how unresolved crimes continue to impact everyone involved. The investigations reveal layers of corruption, cover-ups, and human tragedy that go far beyond simple whodunit mysteries.
Critical and Audience Success on Netflix
Dept. Q premiered on Netflix on May 29, 2025, and the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 87% approval rating based on 49 critic reviews. The series now holds a 94% audience score alongside its 83% “Certified Fresh” critics’ score, making it one of Netflix’s highest-rated crime dramas. From the creators behind The Queen’s Gambit comes this gripping new Netflix mystery series set in Edinburgh’s cold case unit, and it has already become a streaming phenomenon, dethroning other popular series to claim Netflix’s top spot.
If you love psychologically complex crime dramas with stellar performances and intricate storytelling, Dept. Q is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The combination of Matthew Goode’s compelling lead performance, Edinburgh’s atmospheric setting, and Scott Frank’s masterful writing creates an unforgettable detective experience.
A masterpiece of crime television that proves the best mysteries aren’t just about solving cases, but about healing the people who refuse to let justice remain buried.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 6 episodes
Platform: Netflix
Rating: TV-MA / 87% Rotten Tomatoes (83% Critics, 94% Audience) 8.2/IMDb
Genre: Crime Drama, Mystery, Psychological Thriller
Protagonists: Matthew Goode (DCI Carl Morck), Chloe Pirrie, Alexej Manvelov, Kelly Macdonald, Leah Byrne
Antagonist: Unresolved crimes, institutional corruption, and Carl’s own psychological trauma