Netflix's ‘Dept. Q' blends Nordic noir and British mystery in new cold-case crime series

Economic Times

4 days ago

AP Netflix's Dept. Q stars Matthew Goode as Carl Morck, a detective leading a cold-case unit in a hybrid Nordic noir and British crime series set in Edinburgh (Netflix via AP)
Dept. Q , Netflix's latest crime series, is an adaptation of a novel by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen. The nine-episode season is written and directed primarily by American filmmaker Scott Frank and co-developed with British writer Chandni Lakhani. The series is set and filmed in Edinburgh, Scotland, and features a largely British cast led by Matthew Goode.
Goode plays Carl Morck, a detective tasked with launching a new cold-case unit following a traumatic incident on the job. The series introduces a cross-cultural creative approach, combining elements of Nordic noir, British mystery, and American drama. Frank, whose previous work includes The Queen's Gambit and Out of Sight , continues his genre-spanning trajectory by infusing the procedural with layered character dynamics and psychological themes.
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The main narrative in Dept. Q centers on Morck and his reluctant partnership with Akram Salim, played by Alexej Manvelov, a Syrian immigrant with unorthodox investigative methods. Their dynamic, central to the series, is expanded with supporting roles including Kelly Macdonald as Morck's therapist, Jamie Sives as a paralyzed former partner, and Leah Byrne as a new constable.Dialogue-heavy scenes take precedence over action, with extended exchanges often emphasizing backstory, trauma, and interpersonal tension. While the cast delivers capable performances, particularly Macdonald and Sives, some interactions appear overly scripted. Despite this, the series maintains steady pacing and visual cohesion, aided by Frank's directorial style. Dept. Q remains grounded in Nordic noir conventions, especially through its use of psychological trauma and restrained visual storytelling. The show includes hallmark features such as a gruesome, long-term hostage situation and emotionally detached investigative techniques. These elements are balanced with British crime tropes, including extended psychological analysis and slow-building character development.
Also read: Netflix June 2025 Lineup: See full list of shows and movies arriving this monthThe central case's complexity involves multiple narrative turns and abrupt psychological links. Themes of guilt, trauma, and emotional repression serve as structural anchors. Morck's character arc involves mandated therapy, emotional isolation, and eventual reconciliation, unfolding across the full season. Other team members are similarly affected by past incidents, further reinforcing the series' psychological tone.Goode's portrayal of Morck contrasts with his typical on-screen persona. Styled with disheveled hair and a subdued demeanor, his character is positioned as abrasive and emotionally distant. Despite efforts to depict a deeply flawed personality, the performance leans more restrained than antagonistic, which may reduce the intended dramatic tension.