Netflix's Department Q star says 'authentic' new thriller has ‘Scotland in its blood'

Daily Record

5 days ago

All-new detective thriller Department Q, which hits Netflix today, takes place in Edinburgh.
Netflix has just released the eagerly awaited detective drama Department Q, which has been described as "authentically Scottish" by one of its stars.
Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh, the series features Downton Abbey alumni Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck and flaunts a stellar Scottish line-up including Trainspotting's Kelly Macdonald, Shetland's Mark Bonnar and up-and-comer Leah Byrne, who fans may recognise from Call the Midwife.
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Leah, who assumes the role of Rose in the show, chatted exclusively with Reach, sharing her experiences along with co-star Alexej Manvelov, who plays Akram.
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She expressed delight at joining the powerhouse ensemble, saying: "It was so cool, such a joy for me. I'm from Glasgow so I just had to nip down the road and we were filming this amazing show."
Leah continued: "But it's so authentically Scottish as well. It doesn't feel like it's trying to be something it's not. It doesn't have to try hard and it's just in its blood."
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Alexej further complimented his colleagues, remarking: "It was just amazing. I'm from Sweden and there's a bit of a different style in Sweden where we're a bit more process-oriented."
He continued to praise the high calibre of work, adding: "But just to come in and work on this high of a level of craft of acting. It was amazing and the ensemble is just...
"I mean I've been a fan of Kate Dickie's for ages, since Red Road," he confessed, referring to his co-star who portrays DCS Moira. "So just to have a scene with her, I was like 'Oh my god'."
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Department Q is a gripping crime series centred around the troubled DCI Carl Morck, who leads a fresh cold case unit based in Edinburgh, reports the Express.
The official Netflix synopsis states: "DCI Carl Morck is a brilliant cop but a terrible colleague. His razor-sharp sarcasm has made him no friends in Edinburgh Police.
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"After a shooting that leaves a young PC dead, and his partner paralysed, he finds himself exiled to the basement and the sole member of Dept. Q; a newly formed cold case unit.
"The department is a PR stunt, there to distract the public from the failures of an under-resourced, failing police force that is glad to see the back of him.
"But more by accident than design, Carl starts to build a gang of waifs and strays who have everything to prove.
"So, when the stone-cold trail of a prominent civil servant who disappeared several years ago starts to heat up, Carl is back doing what he does best - rattling cages and refusing to take no for an answer."
All episodes of Department Q are available to stream from today, Thursday May 29, exclusively on Netflix.