Dept. Q

7.9
2025

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.

Production

Logo for Left Bank Pictures

Trailers & Videos

Thumbnail for video: Official Trailer

Official Trailer

Thumbnail for video: Department Q Cast Explain Dark Themes, Adapting The Novel & Scottish Slang | BAFTA

Department Q Cast Explain Dark Themes, Adapting The Novel & Scottish Slang | BAFTA

Seasons

9 Episodes • Premiered 2025

Still image for Dept. Q season 1 episode 1: Episode 1

1. Episode 1

7.7

DCI Carl Morck returns to work after a near-fatal incident and finds himself head of a new department. A prosecutor faces a tough day in court.

Still image for Dept. Q season 1 episode 2: Episode 2

2. Episode 2

7.7

As Carl and his new assistant start digging into their first cold case, he can't stop his personal demons encroaching on his professional life.

Still image for Dept. Q season 1 episode 3: Episode 3

3. Episode 3

8.0

Carl and Akram recreate the fateful ferry journey on their way to the Isle of Mhòr. A frustrated Rose makes her case for joining their Department.

Still image for Dept. Q season 1 episode 4: Episode 4

4. Episode 4

7.5

Rose goes to the island to find out what Carl couldn't. Akram finds a note which sends the investigation in an entirely new direction.

Still image for Dept. Q season 1 episode 5: Episode 5

5. Episode 5

7.8

The prosecutor's disappearance becomes connected with a death. A scuffle in a newspaper office sees Carl making headlines, and Moira sees a therapist.

Still image for Dept. Q season 1 episode 6: Episode 6

6. Episode 6

8.0

The police detain a suspect for the Leith Park shooting. Carl returns to the scene of the crime, before losing his temper in public once again.

Still image for Dept. Q season 1 episode 7: Episode 7

7. Episode 7

7.9

Carl makes some dangerous allegations to some powerful men, while Rose takes a fresh angle to uncover more information about Sam Haig.

Still image for Dept. Q season 1 episode 8: Episode 8

8. Episode 8

8.1

The kidnappers give their victim a clue as they press her for an answer to their question. Dept. Q gets closer to unravelling its own riddle.

Still image for Dept. Q season 1 episode 9: Episode 9

9. Episode 9

8.0

A decades-old recording helps all the clues to fall into place. But as the pressure rises — in and out of the chamber — can Carl get there in time?

Cast

Photo of Matthew Goode

Matthew Goode

DCI Carl Morck

Photo of Chloe Pirrie

Chloe Pirrie

Merritt Lingard

Photo of Jamie Sives

Jamie Sives

DCI James Hardy

Photo of Alexej Manvelov

Alexej Manvelov

Akram Salim

Photo of Leah Byrne

Leah Byrne

DC Rose Dickson

Photo of Kelly Macdonald

Kelly Macdonald

Dr Rachel Irving

Photo of Kate Dickie

Kate Dickie

Moira Jacobson

Photo of Tom Bulpett

Tom Bulpett

William Lingard

Photo of Aaron McVeigh

Aaron McVeigh

Jasper Stewart

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Reviews

M

MovieGuys

7/10

Based on the Danish novel "The Keeper of Lost Causes" by Jussi Adler-Olsen and no doubt the 2013 Danish film, the Scottish series, "Dept.Q" cant quite fill the boots, of its scandi crime thriller, counterpart.

Lets look at the positives. The acting is undeniably superb. This series is backed by a strong cast, of veteran UK actors. As a result, the complex characterisations, are brought to full bodied life.

The script sensibly, adheres to a similar core story, to the one found in the Danish film, too. Its dark, disturbing and at times creepily unsettling, stuff.

Where it falls down, is its re-invention, of the main character.
Morck is presented as an "angry man", "the devil", ready to violently explode. By contrast, the Danish film's Morck is driven not by rage but instead, a meticulously obsessive, crime solver personality. One that brushes aside social norms and conventions, to close the case.

In summary, if you can look past the measure of sabotage, of the main character, then there's a decent crime drama on offer. Its not as outstanding, as its Scandinavian counterpart but its still compelling enough, to warrant a look.

You've reached the end.