Dept. Q Reviews: Worth Watching on Netflix? Season 1 & 2

Dept. Q — Netflix’s grimy Edinburgh crime thriller based on Jussi Adler-Olsen’s novels — landed with a thud on May 29, 2025, and viewers either binged all nine episodes in a weekend or debated it passionately on Reddit. With an 88% Rotten Tomatoes critics score and six weeks in Netflix’s Global Top Ten, the series has already justified its Season 2 renewal. Whether it deserves the hype depends on what kind of crime drama you’re looking for.

Platform: Netflix · Seasons Released: 1 · Season 2 Status: Renewed · Filming Location: Edinburgh · Key Cast – Akram: Alexej Manvelov

Is the Dept. Q series worth watching?

Critic scores

Rotten Tomatoes aggregators have not reached consensus on Dept. Q. Collider awarded the series 97% and called it “a triumph of atmosphere,” while TechRadar’s 81% score included The Guardian’s four-star assessment labeling it a “grimy, gothic treat.” The spread from 81% to 97% reflects how Dept. Q divides opinion between those who value its slow-burn tension and those who find it pacing-deficient.

Audience feedback

Reddit threads filled within days of release with viewers demanding Season 2. One UNILAD-sourced comment read, “I need season 2. It’s so good,” while another called Dept. Q “one of the best series I’ve seen in years.” Not all feedback glowed — FandomWire reviewer Sean Boelman called it “one of the most underwhelming new shows to come out in quite a while,” citing plotting concerns.

Binge factor

Irish Times described Dept. Q as “a thumpingly bingable thriller fuelled by mordant wit and a world-weary detective.” The nine-episode Season 1 kept Netflix viewers engaged enough to propel it onto the platform’s Global Top Ten for six consecutive weeks, according to Collider.

Will there be a season 2 for Dept. Q?

Renewal confirmation

Season 2 is officially renewed. Netflix announced the continuation nearly three months after the May 29 premiere, per GamesRadar. The renewal came as no surprise given the series’ six-week run in Netflix’s Global Top Ten.

Returning cast

Matthew Goode will reprise his lead role as DCI Carl Morck in Season 2, confirmed by GamesRadar. Alexej Manvelov returns as Akram, and Leah Byrne and Jamie Sives will also appear again as Rose and Hardy respectively. No word yet on whether new cast members will join.

Production updates

Season 2 will be set in Edinburgh, maintaining the series’ distinctive Scottish atmosphere. No production start date or target release window has been announced as of this writing.

Is Department Q like Slow Horses?

Dept. Q and Slow Horses occupy adjacent corners of the British spy-crime thriller space, though their execution differs markedly.

Tone and style

Both series feature brilliant detectives who resist authority, but Dept. Q leans into Edinburgh’s grimy architecture and rain-slicked streets, while Slow Horses embraces London’s bureaucratic malaise. TechRadar noted Dept. Q’s “cinematic flair” in capturing its setting, a visual approach distinct from Slow Horses’ more intimate dialogue scenes.

Character parallels

DCI Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) parallels Slough House’s River Cartwright in that both protagonists carry personal trauma that complicates their professional effectiveness. Where Cartwright channels his frustration into sardonic detachment, Morck’s self-loathing manifests as reckless workplace behavior.

Viewer recommendations

If Slow Horses’ snappy dialogue and rapid plotting appeal to you, Dept. Q’s slower burn may frustrate. Conversely, viewers who appreciated Slow Horses’ character depth over plot velocity will find similar rewards in Dept. Q’s nine-episode arc.

Who is Akram in Dept. Q?

Actor background

Alexej Manvelov portrays Akram, the Syrian-born detective whose unflappable demeanor provides counterbalance to DCI Morck’s chaos. Manvelov’s performance earned consistent praise across review outlets, with one UNILAD-sourced comment describing him as a “superb character.”

Character role

Akram serves as Morck’s pragmatic partner in Department Q, the cold-case unit established after Morck’s near-fatal trauma. His background as a Syrian refugee informs his observational skills and patience — qualities that complement rather than clash with Morck’s volatile methods.

Performance reception

Manvelov’s Akram drew positive notices for providing emotional grounding amid Dept. Q’s darker narrative turns. Social media feedback highlighted the character’s composure as a refreshing counterpoint to standard crime-drama archetypes, according to TechRadar’s coverage.

Where is Department Q filmed?

Primary locations

Dept. Q films entirely in Edinburgh, Scotland. The production leverages the city’s Gothic architecture, narrow closes, and period buildings to establish the series’ distinctive visual identity. Edinburgh’s topography doubles effectively as both modern police procedural setting and atmospheric backdrop for cold-case investigations.

Atmospheric impact

Reviewer Jonathan Glazier noted that “visually, Dept Q is a triumph. Its gloomy Edinburgh setting is captured with stunning, almost cinematic flair.” The city’s rain-soaked streets and historic detailing contribute substantially to the series’ “grimy, gothic” aesthetic that The Guardian identified in its four-star assessment.

Production notes

Netflix’s investment in Edinburgh-based production reflects the platform’s broader strategy of utilizing British urban settings for crime content. Season 2 will maintain the Edinburgh setting, per GamesRadar’s reporting on the renewal announcement. Netflix’s investment in Edinburgh-based production reflects the platform’s broader strategy of utilizing British urban settings for crime content, and you can find our review of the series here: Найкращі фільми всіх часів.

Dept. Q’s divide-and-conquer critical reception tells the real story. The series performs precisely when measured against atmospheric ambition — Collider’s 97% reflects appreciation for what the show achieves cinematically. Where it stumbles is in plot mechanics, which FandomWire’s “underwhelming” verdict captures cleanly. For viewers who prioritize mood and character interiority over narrative velocity, Dept. Q justifies its Season 2 renewal. For those expecting Netflix’s typical propulsive pacing, the nine-episode investment may feel miscalculated.

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