Netflix's remake of hit Nordic crime drama with Line of Duty star airs tonight
Dept. Q is arriving on Netflix today, with Downton Abbey's Matthew Goode starring as an arrogant detective who must lead a team of misfits in cracking an Edinburgh cold case
Brand new crime drama Dept. Q is landing tonight (Thursday 29 May) on Netflix - with Downton Abbey's Matthew Goode starring in this adaptation of a Nordic hit. Based on the book series by Jussi Adler-Olsen, which has been adapted into numerous Danish films, the new series follows a detective as he's tasked with opening a cold case unit after leading an investigation that went horribly wrong.
With the likes of Line of Duty's Kelly Macdonald, The Game's Chloe Pirrie and Harry Potter's Shirley Henderson taking on roles in this new Netflix offering, the nine-part thriller will give crime fans something to dig their teeth into this evening.
Pick of the Day
Dept. Q, Netflix
Downton Abbey actor Matthew Goode stars as a bristly detective in this new crime drama, adapted from a successful series of Danish novels. The action has been translated from Copenhagen to Edinburgh, where we meet DCI Carl Morck (Goode), a gifted crime solver, whose arrogance has got the better of him.
Morck and his partner made the mistake of visiting a murder scene that wasn't ever assigned to them. After belittling the uniformed officers holding the fort there, they examined the body, without realising that the killer was lurking in the shadows. As a result, a young copper died on the job, and Morck's partner was left paralysed. Morck managed to make a physical recovery, but is haunted by every detail of that day and determined to seek justice.
When he returns to the station, his whispering colleagues don't want to talk to him and getting back to work isn't as easy as he'd hoped. His boss is under pressure to improve the public image of the force, and is strongarmed into opening a cold case unit, called Department Q. It's a PR exercise rather than a legitimate new arm of the force, and much like Slough House in Apple TV's hit Slow Horses, this is somewhere to shove employees who have fallen out of favour. It's the perfect assignment for Morck – he may be unpopular, but his intellectual brilliance and unique approach could solve a few impossible cases. Also starring Kelly McDonald as Morck's spiky therapist, Dr Rachel Irving.
Best of the Rest
Britain Under The Nazis: The Forgotten Occupation, Channel 4, 8pm
Marking the 80 th anniversary of the liberation of the Channel Islands, this documentary tells the story of the Brits who lived under Nazi occupation during World War 2. With actors bringing to life memoirs, diary entries and letters, we hear the voices of Jersey, Guernsey and Alderney residents who were stunned when German soldiers moved onto their islands in 1940. A feather in Hitler's cap, and a source of embarrassment for Churchill, these British territories were left undefended, and nobody quite knew what would happen next. Some anticipated the horrors to come and fled, but for those left behind they needed to decide whether to collaborate with their new neighbours or stage their own acts of resistance. With the local press under censorship, and a thick atmosphere of fear and suspicion, individual acts of courage shone through the darkness. Featuring analysis from historians, this programme is a chance to celebrate forgotten heroes.
Interior Design Masters With Alan Carr, BBC1, 8pm
It's the final, and either teacher John or visual merchandiser Rita is set to win a fabulous prize – the opportunity to design their own homeware range with John Lewis. The deciding challenge takes them to Portmeirion, the location of classic TV series The Prisoner, and a quirky Welsh village famed for its enigmatic architecture and design. Drawing influence from the colourful local buildings and artwork, John and Rita must each renovate a two-bedroom holiday cottage. They have a budget of £6500, three days to work and the help of former competitors Craig and Briony to get them across the finish line. John is channelling the Mediterranean with lemons on the wall and bold colours, while Rita wants a cosy chocolate box vibe. Guest judge, designer Sophie Robinson is famed for her vibrant maximalist designs, so she'll be looking for a cottage that screams 'more is more'. But who will she name the winner?
EastEnders, BBC1, 7.30pm
It's been a shocking week in Walford, but there's much more drama in store. The consequences of the car crash are still playing out and the survivors are coming to terms with what has just happened to them.
Meanwhile, back in Albert Square, shockwaves continue to ripple in the wake of Vicki's bombshell at No. 1. The impact of her outburst floors Barney, who already has a lot to get his head around after the kiss with Avani.
Emmerdale, ITV, 7.30pm
Jacob insists that Sarah is selfish for wanting a baby at this point in her life. He's shocked to learn that nobody else knows the reality of her situation.
John's mental torture continues, as he panics that the wedding won't go ahead.
Moira worries about the truth coming out, and fears that Lewis has too much power over her future freedom.
The tension between Dawn and Billy is taking its toll. Joe has a plan to make life easier.
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Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Colin Farrell looks smart in a navy blue suit as he films for season two of Apple TV series Sugar in Los Angeles
Colin Farrell looked smart as he filmed scenes for season two of his Apple TV series Sugar in Los Angeles on Friday. The Irish actor, 48, who stars as lead character John Sugar in the neo-noir mystery drama, wore a navy blue suit as he got in character. He completed his look with a black tie and added a pair of brown leather dress shoes. Colin shielded his eyes with a pair of square-framed sunglasses and was seen chatting with other members of the cast. The series follows private investigator John as he investigates the disappearance of a wealthy movie producer's granddaughter. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. It comes after Colin revealed the reason behind his decision to place his adult disabled son into care - explaining that he wants to ensure his son's care is properly managed while he and his ex-partner are still alive, and to provide him with a strong sense of community. The actor previously explained how son James, 21, was heartbreakingly misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy before doctors eventually confirmed he was suffering from Angelman syndrome. Angelman syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that primarily affects the nervous system, causes severe physical and intellectual disability. Speaking to Candis Magazine, Colin revealed he and his ex Kim Bordenave have made a decision and plan to settle James into a long-term care facility. He said: 'It's tricky, some parents will say: "I want to take care of my child myself." And I respect that. 'But my horror would be... What if I have a heart attack tomorrow, and, God forbid, James' mother, Kim, has a car crash and she's taken too – and then James is on his own? 'Then he's a ward of the state and he goes where? We'd have no say in it.' He and Kim are hoping to 'find somewhere we like where he can go now, while we're still alive and healthy, that we can go and visit, and we can take him out sometimes'. Colin continued: 'We want him to find somewhere where he can have a full and happy life, where he feels connected.' WHAT IS CEREBRAL PALSY? Cerebral palsy is the name for a set of conditions affecting movement and co-ordination stemming from a problem with the brain that takes place before, during or soon after birth. Symptoms are not typically obvious immediately after a child is born — but instead normally become noticeable after two or three years. They include delays in reaching development milestones, such as: not sitting by eight months; not walking by 18 months; appearing too stiff or too floppy; walking on tip-toes; weak arms or legs; fidgety, jerky or clumsy movements; random, uncontrolled movements; Difficulty speaking, swallowing or seeing — along with learning difficulties — can also be symptoms. Cerebral palsy symptoms can be caused by a number of things and are not necessarily an indication of the condition, which can occur if a child's brain does not develop normally while in the womb, or is damaged during or soon after birth. Causes include bleeding in the baby's brain, reduced blood and oxygen supply, infection caught by the mother while pregnant, asphyxiation during a difficult birth, meningitis or a serious head injury - though the precise cause is often not clear. There is no cure currently, but physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy and medication are often used as treatment. Each person living with the condition is affected in a different way, but generally speaking most children live into adult life and some can live for many decades. The Phone Booth actor previously discussed his first-born son's condition and said medical advice was sought after James missed developmental milestones and struggled to sit up or crawl as a baby. Colin explained how many sufferers of the rare syndrome are often misdiagnosed with cerebral palsy due to both conditions having similar symptoms. He told People: '[James] couldn't sit up. He wasn't crawling. I think he was a year and a half when we took him to get really checked out, and he was diagnosed as having cerebral palsy.' Cerebral palsy is the name for a set of conditions affecting movement and co-ordination stemming from a problem with the brain that takes place before, during or soon after birth. Difficulty speaking, swallowing or seeing — along with learning difficulties — can also be symptoms. Colin said: 'It was a common misdiagnosis, because it shared a lot of the same characteristics. And that was a downer for sure.' The Oscar nominee revealed that, when James was only about two and a half years old, a pediatric neurologist suggested he be tested for Angelman syndrome. Recalling the moment he received the diagnosis, he shared: 'I remember the first two questions I asked were, "What's the life expectancy and how much pain is involved?" 'And the doctor said, "Life expectancy, as far as we can tell, is the same for you and for me, and pain, no."' A doctor had noticed an unusual symptom that prompted him to test for Angelman syndrome. Colin explained: 'One of the characteristics of Angelman syndrome is outbreaks of laughter. And the doctor saw that James was laughing a lot and doing this movement [he waves his hands],' the father-of-two shared. Angelman syndrome is also characterized by seizures, which Colin - who also shares son Henry Tadeusz, 15, with Polish actress Alicja Bachleda-Curus, 41 - said is 'one of the things that parents struggle with greatly'. He added: 'Thankfully, James hasn't had a breakthrough seizure now in about 10 or 11 years, but I've been in the back of ambulances, I've been in the hospital with him. 'I've done Diastat [a sedative] up his rectum to get him out of a seizure that lasted longer than three minutes. Finding the right amount of medication that doesn't have adverse effects — that's all very tricky business.' The actor is now launching the Colin Farrell Foundation to provide support, education, and advocacy for adults with intellectual disabilities. 'This is the first time I've spoken about it, and obviously the only reason I'm speaking is I can't ask James if he wants to do this,' he said. The proud dad stated that his eldest son 'has worked so hard all his life, so hard'. He said: 'Repetition, repetition, balance, his jerky gait. When he started feeding himself for the first time, his face looks like a Jackson Pollock by the end of it. But he gets it in, he feeds himself beautifully. I'm proud of him every day, because I just think he's magic.' Colin also described watching his son take his first steps just before his fourth birthday. Detailing the 'profound' moment to People, Colin said: 'I knew they [James's carers] were working on walking. And I stood over there, and she let him go, and he just came to [me]. He shares his younger son Henry with Ondine co-star, Polish actress Alicja Bachleda-Curus (pictured, in 2010) whom he dated from from approximately late 2008 to early 2010 'It was so profound. It was magic. 'I'll never forget just the face of determination on him as he walked toward me. He took, like, six steps, and I burst into tears.' James's condition is severe enough that he is nonverbal and requires the help of a live-in caregiver to accomplish his day-to-day tasks. When James was four, Colin went public with his Angelman Syndrome, saying his son had demonstrated 'amazing courage' in the face of his condition. Shortly before James turned 18, Colin and Kim filed to obtain a conservatorship of him, noting he still needed help with tasks like getting dressed and making meals. He later went on to reveal that he and James's mother make sure to share in the smallest victories and enjoy the milestones whatever age they happen - including James's first words aged six, being able to feed himself at 19, and getting his seizures under control. Colin has maintained a very private life and has not spoken about his son in great detail until recently, although he told InStyle he first decided to 'talk publicly about the pride and joy I had in our son' while attending the 2007 Special Olympics. He said: 'He has enriched my life, but I don't want to minimize the trials that so many families go through; the fear, consternation, frustration, and pain... When you're the parent of a child with special needs, it's important to feel that you're not alone.' Discussing being a parent to a child with disabilities, the Hollywood star said that James was the main reason he was able to get sober. Colin and James's mother Kim dated from 2001 to 2003. He later had Henry with his Ondine co-star Alicja, whom he dated from from approximately late 2008 to early 2010. What is Angelman syndrome? Angelman syndrome is a genetic condition that affects the nervous system and causes severe physical and learning disabilities. A person with Angelman syndrome will have a near-normal life expectancy, but they will need support throughout their life. Characteristics of Angelman syndrome A child with Angelman syndrome will begin to show signs of delayed development at around six to 12 months of age, such as being unable to sit unsupported or make babbling noises. Later, they may not speak at all, or may only be able to say a few words. However, most children with Angelman syndrome will be able to communicate using gestures, signs or other systems. The movement of a child with Angelman syndrome will also be affected. They may have difficulty walking because of issues with balance and co-ordination (ataxia). Their arms may tremble or make jerky movements, and their legs may be stiff. Several distinctive behaviours are associated with Angelman syndrome. These include: * frequent laughter and smiling, often with little stimulus * being easily excitable, often flapping the hands * being restless (hyperactive) * having a short attention span * trouble sleeping and needing less sleep than other children
Scotsman
5 hours ago
- Scotsman
Inside the "strange and weird" world of Dept. Q with Edinburgh's Chloe Pirrie
Surreal, strange, weird... what happens when you set a Scandi noir crime drama in Scotland. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... 'Extraordinary moments, surreal, strange things…' Attempting to describe her favourite part of filming new Netflix drama Dept. Q when we speak ahead of its launch, Chloe Pirrie is immediately tied up in avoiding spoilers, such is the extraordinary turn of events that befall her character. 'There are moments, but I can't say what they were because it'll give it away,' she says, 'strange, weird things…' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An adaptation of the novels of Danish author, Jussi Adler-Olsen by acclaimed showrunner Scott Frank (The Queen's Gambit), written with Chandni Lakhani, Stephen Greenhorn and Colette Kane, the nine-part Netflix drama launches this week. Following the tale of Merritt Lingard, a high-flying lawyer played by Pirrie whose fate becomes intertwined with that of detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), who has been kicked downstairs to head up a new cold case department after an investigation went awry leaving his partner paralysed (Jamie Sives), the tense thriller sees them both pushed to their limits. Also starring are Alexej Manvelov (Jack Ryan, Top Dog), Kate Dickie, Kelly Macdonald (Line of Duty, Operation Mincemeat) and Leah Byrne (Call The Midwife, Nightsleeper) and an ensemble cast featuring many Scottish actors. Pirrie is a familiar face from TV and film, appearing in last year's Canadian horror film Kryptic, The Crown, Netflix's The Queen's Gambit, Emma, War & Peace, BBC's miniseries thriller The Victim and as Emily Bronte in Sally Wainwright's To Walk Invisible. Chloe Pirrie stars as Merritt Lingard in Dept. Q, filmed in Edinburgh. | Netflix Raised in Edinburgh, the daughter of a physiotherapist and a lawyer, Pirrie started acting at school in The Cherry Orchard and went on to study at Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. After a career launching appearance in Scott Graham's award-winning indie feature film Shell with Iain De Caestecker and Kate Dickie in 2010, she was named Best Newcomer at the British Independent Film Awards and a Screen International Star of Tomorrow. She soon landed roles in BBC2 Cold War spy thriller The Game alongside Brian Cox, Sky Atlantic's crime series The Last Panthers with Samantha Morton and John Hurt, Oscar-nominated comedy drama Youth with Michael Caine and Rachel Weisz and black comedy road movie Burn, Burn Burn. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad At the start of the series Pirrie's Merritt Lingard is a prosecutor at the top of her game, fighting for justice and described by some as a 'blunt instrument'. Brought up on Mull by an absent father, when her brother suffers a brain injury she becomes his protector and following the biggest case of her career, decides to make a change, with dramatic consequences. 'Merritt operates on a basis of not needing to be liked, doesn't have many friends and is a bit of a mystery to the people around her,' says Pirrie. 'She has very successfully compartmentalised her life in terms of her past and current work situation but is starting to struggle under the pressure of the case she's prosecuting. 'We're seeing somebody who is maybe not as in control as they're used to being. Chloe Pirrie and Mark Bonnar as lawyers in Dept. Q, Netflix's Scottish adaptation of Jussi-Alder Olsen's Scandi Noir series. | Netflix 'This case is more high profile but is coming with baggage she hasn't anticipated. Obstacles start to emerge that she doesn't understand and the frustration is starting to get under her skin. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Alongside this she is receiving anonymous threatening messages.' In terms of preparing for the part of Merritt, the lawyer element was straightforward as Pirrie has experience of playing a lawyer from The Victim in 2019. 'That was less of a thriller and more about depicting and anatomising someone's trial, so that gave me a lot. I did a lot of research for that and you become a bit more acquainted with the differences in the Scottish legal system and I went to the WS society and Signet Library where my dad works and got a bit of insight of the culture and expectations in that legal world. 'Also I watched a lot of murder trial documentaries where you learn so much about how a profession works and I just love doing that kind of research. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And for Merritt, she's somebody who has quite a different background from others in that profession so it was understanding what might be most challenging for her and those encountering someone who does things differently or doesn't conform.' For Merritt, a belief that those who commit a crime don't ever truly get away with it and that through justice, conscience or karma, the universe will see them ultimately punished, helps sustain her on the wild ride on which her life takes her. Chloe Pirrie at the premiere of Under The Banner Of Heaven in Hollywood, California, 2022. |'This may be one of Merritt's blindspots,' says Pirrie. 'She's very hyperfocused on the right thing when it applies to others but has so successfully buried things as she's evolved that I don't think she ever turns the lens on herself. We learn more about that later in the show. It's interesting playing someone who isn't interested in self-reflection. We see that in scenes I have with Mark Bonnar, and her colleagues, where she's butting heads because she is unwilling to listen, and that serves her in some ways but not in others.' Does Pirrie think it's true, that people ultimately get punished? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I don't know. I'd like to think so. Maybe the gentler version is 'what's for you won't go by you', but I don't know if that is entirely true. You obviously trust in the justice system as much as you can, but we all know it has limitations and is always trying to adapt. It depends what justice means to you I suppose.' Originally a Scandi noir thriller, Scott Frank has transposed the story to a Scottish setting with Edinburgh locations, institutions and fictional characters up front and centre. 'The show does that so successfully, Scott did a fantastic job. Being an American, it's amazing how somebody can assimilate and locate, very specifically, people and qualities and with excellent performances and the right cast, bring something to life that felt very specific to me. For the Edinburgh born and raised actor this was a homecoming. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Because I'm from Edinburgh, it was really cool seeing it on screen, and a full circle moment as I've never worked here before. It was quite magical from that point of view. I just loved that.' Now based in North London, Pirrie's career has taken her all over for work, from Calgary to Prague, but once back in the capital for Dept. Q she enjoyed getting reacquainted. 'Chips and sauce, chips and cheese,' were top of the agenda, as well as catching up with family and friends. 'I had an apartment and it was really nice to spend more time in Edinburgh. I brought my car and my dog and had the freedom of returning as an adult with my own life. It was like discovering the city again, finding new places I hadn't known growing up like The Secret Herb Garden and there are so many restaurants because the food scene's gone insane. I really enjoyed going to old favourite places but also discovering new ones.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And the cast were amazing, some of whom I've worked with before and some who are new. It was great to see all these amazing Scottish actors together.' Chloe Pirrie | Photographer: Josh Shinner Stylist: Fabio Immediato Make-up: Amanda Grossman Hair: Davide Barbieri Now 37, if Pirrie reflects on her career, what would she say to her younger self? 'That it doesn't really get any easier but you're also doing way better than you think you are in terms of how you are navigating it. I'd say continue to try to not compare yourself to others as much as possible. I would tell her you are going to have the fortune to work with some really amazing people so savour the really amazing moments on set - that is the most important thing I think. 'Increasingly the industry is very noisy, there are so many extraneous things, but always return to the work because that's what is important, the time between action and cut. Keep focusing on that, because that's always where I felt 'oh I know how to do this', so keep feeling that way.' What sort of things make the industry 'noisy'? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Things to do with publicity and knowledge about how things are made, which can make it really daunting. When I graduated a certain naivety was possible because whenever I didn't get a job I didn't know how to look up who got it but now there's an overwhelm of information. 'Being able to go into rooms, do an audition, leave and that would be that, was an amazing privilege. It's so rare to go into a room and meet someone in person, which is mad, because your interaction with another actor is such a personal thing. I'd tell my younger self soak up those opportunities to work in a room with people, whether you get the job or not.' Pirrie has worked with the show's acclaimed runner Scott Frank before, on The Queen's Gambit, in which she played Anya Taylor-Joy's birth mother. What insight did this give her into how Frank works? 'The Queen's Gambit was a wonderful job and what happened with the series blowing up was so rewarding. Scott creates an environment that is so special; he's so in control but also very freeing. That's a really amazing quality in a director. The quality of attention on set from everyone there is something you feel like you're part of and that's created by him. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'With The Queen's Gambit I was terrified because it was the first time I'd done an American accent and the first thing I had to do was improvise a load of stuff but it was so supportive. You feel like you're able to do your best work and can also fail and it doesn't matter. He's the best in that sense as a director. So stepping into this which is a role much more on my shoulders I suppose I did feel a lot of anxiety but he'd asked me to do it and I knew I was in safe hands.' Playing everything from heiresses and Mormon wives to petrol station assistants, the particular circumstances that befall Lingard make this role a unique experience for Pirrie and led to some of her favourite on set moments. 'I liked the emotional intensity of it. I have played people in a similar state for a short time - not the same circumstance - but not in such a protracted way. It's such a strange situation… 'And we spent a day on a ferry from Thurso and that was really cool because I'd never been that far north and it was a beautiful experience, to be doing your job on a little ferry travelling, and also the drive up there is really stunning, you pinch yourself. People pay a fortune to do this as tourists and I'm getting to go for my job. There were lots of moments like that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There was also my first day on set walking around Edinburgh and the first thing I did was sit in Princes Street Gardens where I spent so many Saturdays as a teenager. It was quite extraordinary to do that and really full circle.' Chloe Pirrie attends the Vogue x Netflix BAFTA Television Awards 2024 in London. | Getty Images Which roles or people she's worked with have been pivotal in her career? 'Well Shell was my first big job, it was a leading part, and was a really formative experience with Scott Graham. It was my first time being able to play somebody the camera follows through every scene. I had to throw myself into it and didn't really know what I was doing. It was purely on instinct and you're figuring out technique as you go. 'And I would say playing Emily [Bronte] was really big for me, because it was such a freeing thing. Emily's somebody who's surprising to people and working with Sally Wainwright and that cast was amazing so I really cherish that job a lot. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Then The Queen's Gambit I loved for the way it worked. That part was quite small but important, and that's something I love about Scott, that there are no small parts. Even if someone's got one line, there's nothing perfunctory or accidental in the way he works, and that's amazing to be around. 'Under The Banner of Heaven [in 2022, in which Pirrie played a Scottish woman who has married into a fundamentalist Mormon family from Utah who commit a series of murders] which I did a few years ago, was amazing but different because I was playing someone profoundly not free, so that was also a really interesting experience from that point of view. Next up for Pirrie, after a well-earned week in the sun in Greece, is season four of Industry, the HBO hit about a group of junior traders at the London office of a city firm, now expanding its scope to follow the characters in the US. 'I did a little bit in season 3 and I'm reprising that. Industry is really fun, such a different thing. That's something I love about my job, that all sets are the same but also profoundly different and how the energy of a show really translates and how what is required of you can be really different. Industry means playing highly competent people which is hard because there's nowhere to put the vulnerability, you have to hold that together. It's really interesting, highly competent people who are melting down from the inside out is a really niche thing, and Industry definitely runs that concept to its absolute extreme. And then I don't know what I'm doing,' she says and smiles. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pirrie is content to take each role as it comes, and doesn't think too far ahead about parts she'd like to play. 'I try to take it as it arrives towards me as much as possible. And when you receive a script that makes you sit up and be forward and hoover up whatever it is, you give it everything you have, regardless of the outcome.' As for genres, she has a surprising penchant, as yet to be explored. 'Ok, so one of my favourite genres is submarine movies. I have a real thing about submarines and I would love to do one of those. And I can ride horses fairly competently - I learnt as a kid - and I've never got to do it because it's often something men do in things, go off into battle. So I'm waiting for that moment where someone says 'could you do that on a horse?' and I'll say 'Absolutely!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I actually made a short film recently that I'm editing now, that's a little bit about when I was young and working at a stables and imagining a life where I continued to do that. Maybe I'm creating opportunities for myself somehow, but I'd love to use that skill in some way. And it would be fun to learn to climb, swim in a particular way, dive, do stunt driving, to really push it.' In the meantime what Pirrie wants most is to be able to talk about Dept. Q without worrying about spoilers, which brings us full circle back to those 'extraordinary moments, surreal, strange things…'
The Review Geek
9 hours ago
- The Review Geek
Dept. Q Season 1 Review – The best crime thriller of the year?
Season 1 Episode Guide Episode 1 -| Review Score – 4.5/5 Episode 2 -| Review Score – 4/5 Episode 3 -| Review Score – 4/5 Episode 4 -| Review Score – 4/5 Episode 5 -| Review Score – 3.5/5 Episode 6 -| Review Score – 4/5 Episode 7 -| Review Score – 4/5 Episode 8 -| Review Score – 4/5 Episode 9 -| Review Score – 4.5/5 Writing a compelling crime drama that stands out in such a saturated market is not easy. There are so many options to choose from, and with streaming more accessible than ever, competition is fierce. Whether it be the numerous Sherlock spin-offs we get every year, original breakaway hits like Mare of Easttown or one of the many Scandinavian miniseries like The Chestnut Man (honestly, that show is fantastic, add it to your watch-list!), it's hard for newcomers to stand out. In a way, Dept. Q is in an unenviable spot. The story is pretty formulaic and feels like a mash-up of what's come before, and it's also dumped in one hit on Netflix, giving it a bit of a do-or-die flavour. However, beyond its relatively simplistic story is a show that boasts excellent production design, atmosphere, and characterisation — all of which help it stand out from the masses. Created by Scott Frank, the brilliant mind behind The Queen's Gambit, and with a stable foundation coming in the form of the book series as source material, Netflix may just have struck gold with this one — if it can attract a sizeable enough audience. Dept. Q's story whisks us off to the moody, miserable setting of Edinburgh, where we follow Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck, a brilliant but emotionally scarred officer recovering from a traumatic ambush that left his partner paralyzed and another officer dead. Relegated to a newly formed cold case unit in the police department's basement, Morck assembles a team of misfits to take on an old case involving the disappearance of prosecutor Merritt Lingard, who vanished from a ferry four years prior. As the team delves deeper, they uncover a chilling conspiracy and psychological trauma that test their limits. The episodes interweave the investigation into Merritt's disappearance with Carl's shooting at Leith Park, but it's worth noting that there isn't actually any closure to the shooting. You can see the creators' intention to leave this thread open-ended for a potential second season (which hasn't been confirmed at the time of writing), but it's not too much of a detriment given the way this one ends — and how it's handled. It's very much a secondary plot, and one could argue it's used as a way of exploring Carl's trauma and allowing him to grow as a person. The story regularly jumps between past and present, and early on, we learn what happened to Merritt. The structure of the story then shifts to focus on why and how this occurred rather than drawing out the mystery of whether she's alive. It's an interesting framing device, but unfortunately, it's hard not to feel like the series shows its hand way too early. In fact, anyone who has watched a lot of crime thrillers is likely to figure out what's happening as early as episode 3. Not in complete detail, of course, because the show does work in some lovely twists, but I can't help but feel tighter framing — rather than wide angles and establishing shots — may have been a better option. While the story isn't Dept. Q's strongest asset, the show leans heavily on character work — and that's where it truly shines. Matthew Goode's portrayal of DCI Carl Morck is excellent, adding the right balance of snarky sarcasm, rule-breaking, and anti-authority vibes alongside a darker, more emotionally scarred interior that he's keeping from those around him. Carl has a really solid arc across the season, punctuated by important moments at the start and end of the show that feel like mirrors of the same incident, sandwiched around a lot of growth and exploration of inner demons. The series also flirts with the idea of a romance between Carl and his therapist, Rachel, but to be honest it's not handled particularly well. The banter between them is quite strong though, which only makes the decision to half-heartedly pursue this angle all the more baffling. However, one of the more interesting players here is Alexej Manvelov's portrayal of Syrian character Akram. He's very much the dark horse of the ensemble and bounces off Carl really well across the 9 episodes. Rounding out the trio is Rose. While she starts out as a bit player, she becomes more deeply involved in the investigation as the episodes progress. She has her own trauma to process, and the show handles this well — letting her development unfold in a way that never overshadows the main mystery or feels tacked on. The rest of the supporting cast do well in their roles, and it's just as well because many of the sets are quite uninspired, despite being dressed well. We're largely working with dingy interiors — and that's by design. This is a dark, gritty crime thriller that's less interested in sweeping vistas (despite a few establishing shots showing off Scotland's gorgeous natural landscapes) and more focused on the gritty details of the case itself. In that respect, Dept. Q establishes itself as a comfortable and relatively straightforward thriller, with enough red herrings and twists to try and keep you guessing until the conclusion. Again, your mileage with this one will probably vary, but this is not a show to binge in a single day. The episodes are long and often padded with proper investigative work. The investigation can — and does — go down wrong paths or take unexpected turns, often as a way of developing characters or helping them learn lessons. At one point, for example, Rose believes she's managed to link a bird insignia to a past case, tying everything together with a neat little bow. In reality, this is a big reach — and she's called out for it. These little moments aren't insulting to viewers or presented as wasted time; rather, they serve as lessons for our team — reminders to stick to the basics and avoid assumptions. Another time, Carl chooses Rose to butter up a male constable, bluntly leaning into the femme fatale angle. Again, it's a small inclusion, but one that feels grounded in the way these sorts of interviews might realistically play out. Episodes 8 and 9 work in tandem to tie up loose ends, deliver key flashbacks, and clarify any lingering mysteries surrounding the Merritt Lingard case. There are a few clichés that pop up along the way, but they're easy to overlook. Even with its issues, Dept. Q is a solid crime thriller. It's clearly been designed as a springboard to try and capture a bigger audience hungry for a consistent series that can run for many seasons to come. It's gritty, grounded, and boasts some strong characterisation. Based on what's here — and the way the season ends — there's definitely more fuel in the tank, with Dept. Q standing out as one of the best crime thrillers of the year.
