Dept. Q review: Matthew Goode shines in gripping slow-burn thriller

India Today

2 days ago

Another addictive British series has landed. Netflix's new series 'Dept. Q', adapted from Jussi Adler-Olsen's noir novel series, is a Scottish crime thriller developed by Scott Frank, best known for 'The Queen's Gambit' and 'Logan'. Tense, layered, and deliberate, this show promises to keep viewers hooked.Set in Edinburgh, 'Dept. Q' follows Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), a sharp but rude detective who is unexpectedly put in charge of a newly formed cold case unit. He builds an unlikely team of misfits, each with their own quirks and baggage, as they solve a long-forgotten crime in their basement office space.The series begins with Carl and his partner, James Hardy, played by Jamie Sives, speaking to a young police officer, Anderson, before entering a crime scene where the victim has been stabbed in the head. The duo examine the body while joking around, as the scene is viewed entirely through Anderson's body camera, giving it a documentary-like feel. As Carl ridicules Anderson and tells him to keep his hands off things and check the other rooms, a masked gunman suddenly opens fire. The ambush leaves Anderson dead, Hardy paralysed, and Carl seriously injured. What seemed like a calm, regular day quickly turns into a bloody one at Leith Park, setting the intense tone of the series.Four months later, Carl returns to work. Though his body has healed, the trauma lingers. While the flashes of the Leith Park killing still haunt him, and he feels responsible for the death of the rookie police officer, he is back, and remains the same rude and unlikeable detective with a superiority complex.Carl reluctantly assembles a team to reopen a four-year-old cold case involving a missing prosecutor, Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie). He is joined by Akram Salim (Alexej Manvelov), a former Syrian police officer now working in the precinct's IT department, and DC Rose Dickson (Leah Byrne), who has been restricted to desk work post a car accident. Even Carl's injured partner, Hardy, supports the investigation from his hospital bed. As they retrace old leads and uncover missed clues, 'Dept. Q' moves between the past and present, showing the amount of work it takes to solve a long-hidden mystery.
Leah Byrne, Matthew Goode and Alexej Manvelov in a still from Dept. Q
advertisementIf you remember Matthew Goode from romantic comedies like 'Leap Year', or period dramas like 'Downton Abbey' and 'The Crown', his transformation here is striking. He is a treat to watch in 'Dept Q'. As Carl, he's playing a modern, morally conflicted character that is part 'Sherlock Holmes', part 'House MD'. His performance is layered - angry, guarded, and difficult to like, yet completely compelling.Alexej Manvelov as Akram, compliments Goode's Carl. He is exactly the opposite of what Carl is and that's what makes this chalk and cheese combination interesting. He is composed, thoughtful and quiet. Meanwhile, Chloe Pirrie also shines as Merritt Lingard, portraying a tough, cut-throat lawyer who later becomes a haunting presence in the investigation.
Written by Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani, the nine-episode series is tightly structured and deliberately paced. While fans of fast-paced thrillers may find it slow at first, the show rewards patience with its thoughtful character development and emotional depth. It's not just about solving a case - it's about understanding the psyche of both the detectives and the victims.advertisementUnlike typical police procedural dramas, 'Dept Q' doesn't offer a case-of-the-week format. It digs deep into one cold case and unpacks its impact on everyone involved. It's a character study disguised as a crime thriller.In short, 'Dept. Q' is a well-crafted, slow-burn mystery that's best savoured, not binged. While binge-watchers might crave more speed, letting the show unfold gradually allows its emotional weight and narrative detail to truly shine.The show is currently streaming on Netflix.4 out of 5 stars to Department Q.