Overview

• Dept. Q transplants Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Danish Nordic noir into a Scottish ‘tartan noir’ setting centered on Edinburgh’s cold case unit.
• The show’s unflinching exploration of trauma, PTSD and institutional failings is anchored by Matthew Goode’s brooding performance as Detective Carl Morck.
• Critics have awarded the series an 83% “Certified Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, complementing its 94% audience approval for its gritty realism.
• Supporting performances from Kelly Macdonald, Alexej Manvelov and Leah Byrne enrich the ensemble with complex character dynamics.
• With ten novels in the source material and a rapid rise on Netflix’s 2025 thriller charts, Dept. Q has ample narrative fuel for future seasons.