Netflix has struck gold again with Dept. Q, a British crime thriller that’s taken the streaming world by storm, earning a stellar 93% critics’ score and a 94% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Premiering on April 24, 2025, this nine-episode series, adapted from Jussi Adler-Olsen’s bestselling Danish novels and crafted by The Queen’s Gambit creator Scott Frank, has viewers hooked with its gripping mystery, moody Edinburgh setting, and powerhouse performances. Led by Matthew Goode as the tormented Detective Carl Mørck, Dept. Q follows a broken cop unraveling cold cases while haunted by a deadly ambush that left one colleague dead and another paralyzed. With over six million views in its first week and a No. 2 spot on Netflix’s global Top 10, the series has left fans clamoring for a second season to dive deeper into its unresolved conspiracies. From X to Reddit, the internet is buzzing: Dept. Q is not just a hit—it’s a phenomenon, and it’s only getting started

A Gritty Dive into Edinburgh’s Cold Cases

Set in the atmospheric streets of Edinburgh, Scotland, Dept. Q introduces Carl Mørck (Matthew Goode), a brash, foul-mouthed detective reeling from a traumatic shooting that killed rookie officer PC Anderson (Angus Yellowlees) and left his partner James Hardy (Jamie Sives) paralyzed. Sidelined by his superiors and grappling with PTSD, Carl is relegated to Department Q, a basement unit tasked with solving cold cases that the police have all but abandoned. Joined by the mysterious assistant Akram (Alexej Manvelov) and the tenacious Rose (Chloe Pirrie), Carl tackles the disappearance of prosecutor Merritt Lingard, a case that unfolds into a labyrinth of secrets, corruption, and personal demons. The series, directed by Scott Frank, blends Nordic noir’s brooding aesthetic with sharp British wit, creating a thriller that’s as emotionally raw as it is suspenseful.

The first season’s nine episodes, each around 50 minutes, balance a standalone mystery with an overarching conspiracy. While the Lingard case reaches a resolution, the ambush that shattered Carl’s life remains unsolved, with clues pointing to a deeper betrayal within the police force. A pivotal scene in the finale, where Carl’s commanding officer Moira (Kate Dickie) hands Hardy a mysterious file, hints at hidden truths about the shooting, setting the stage for a potential Season 2. As Carl quietly investigates the ambush alongside his cold-case work, his PTSD—explored through tense therapy sessions with Dr. Rachel Irving (Kelly Macdonald)—adds a haunting layer to his character. Collider’s Samuel R. Murrian praised the show’s “smart writing, moody visuals, and layered storytelling,” calling it a “thrilling, enthralling, and sublime” addition to the genre.

A Stellar Cast and Electric Chemistry

Dept. Q’s ensemble is a masterclass in casting, with Matthew Goode delivering a career-defining performance as Carl Mørck. Known for The Imitation Game and A Discovery of Witches, Goode imbues Carl with a volatile mix of grit, guilt, and brilliance, making him both abrasive and deeply sympathetic. Jamie Sives (Guilt) brings heart to James Hardy, whose paralysis and loyalty to Carl anchor the emotional core. Chloe Pirrie (The Queen’s Gambit) shines as Rose, a sharp-witted assistant with her own secrets, while Alexej Manvelov (Jack Ryan) steals scenes as the enigmatic Akram, whose layered performance has fans buzzing. At a London premiere, Manvelov told reporters, “The whole spectrum to this character is just amazing,” hinting at untapped depths for future seasons. Supporting players like Kelly Macdonald, Kate Dickie, and Angus Yellowlees add texture to the gritty Edinburgh setting.

The chemistry among Carl, Rose, and Akram, described by X user @msm_monitor as “great,” drives the series’ appeal, with their misfit dynamic evoking comparisons to The Bridge or The Killing. Posts on X praise the “array of Scottish talent” and Goode’s “superb” lead performance, with @unclebarkycom calling Dept. Q a “master class of plot twists & ensemble acting.” The show’s ability to balance serialized drama with procedural cases, as noted by Collider, makes it a standout, with Carl’s quiet investigation into the ambush weaving seamlessly into the Lingard mystery.

Outshining the Competition

Dept. Q has drawn comparisons to Adolescence, the Stephen Graham-led miniseries that earned a 99% Rotten Tomatoes score for its raw depiction of youth violence. While Adolescence stunned with its one-shot filming and urgent social commentary, Dept. Q takes a broader approach, blending psychological depth with a sprawling conspiracy. LeisureByte called it “thoroughly engaging,” with “twists, humor, and performances” that are a “slam dunk.” Its 93% critics’ score, slightly below the 97% mentioned in the prompt but still exceptional, reflects its critical acclaim, with Rotten Tomatoes noting its ability to stand out “in a sea of generic crime dramas” thanks to its “winning cast and veteran creative Scott Frank.” The audience score of 94% underscores its global appeal, with over six million views in its first week pushing it to No. 2 on Netflix’s Top 10.

Unlike The Secrets We Keep, a Danish thriller with a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score that explores class and privilege, Dept. Q leans into institutional corruption and personal trauma, offering a grittier, more introspective take on Nordic noir. Digital Mafia Talkies called it a “fantastic companion piece” to Adolescence, but fans on X argue it surpasses it, with @Veronic_TON praising its “atmosphere, twists, and emotional depth” as an “underrated gem.” The show’s Scottish setting, filmed in Edinburgh’s historic streets, adds a visceral authenticity, with MovieWeb noting its “creepy and gritty vibes” and frequent jabs at the English, which resonate with local audiences.

A Cliffhanger Begging for Season 2

The Season 1 finale left viewers on edge, with the Merritt Lingard case resolved but the ambush mystery wide open. Carl’s discovery that PC Anderson’s death wasn’t random, coupled with Moira’s cryptic file to Hardy, suggests a conspiracy tied to the police or higher powers. Collider argues this “deserves further exploration,” as the show’s strength lies in balancing standalone cases with Carl’s personal arc. Fans on X are vocal about wanting more, with @biolaojo_ rating it “9/10” and urging viewers to “drop everything” to watch, while @iammoviebuff007 called it a “captivating crime investigation thriller with well-written characters.” The unresolved shooting, combined with Akram’s layered backstory and Rose’s hinted secrets, sets up a potential Season 2 to dive deeper into the team’s dynamics and the institutional betrayal haunting Carl.

While Netflix has not confirmed a second season, the show’s performance—6.3 million views in its first week and a No. 2 global ranking—makes renewal likely. Evoke.ie notes that “Netflix may need to confirm a season two for all their viewers’ sakes,” given the fan outcry. Scott Frank’s track record with hits like Baby Reindeer, which swept the 2024 Emmys, bolsters the case, as does the source material’s eight novels, offering ample storylines. A new cold case could anchor Season 2, with the ambush mystery unfolding in the background, potentially exploring Hardy’s role or Akram’s past, as Manvelov teased.

The Internet’s Frenzy and Cultural Impact

The internet has erupted with praise for Dept. Q, with X posts calling it “the best piece of Scottish drama in years” (@msm_monitor) and a “taut & terrific” binge (@unclebarkycom). Fans on Reddit and X highlight its twists and ensemble acting, with one user noting, “The atmosphere pulls you into the darkness.” The show’s 94% audience score reflects its broad appeal, though some viewers on Reddit wished for “one or two more episodes” to flesh out secondary characters. Its climb to Netflix’s Top 10, trailing only Squid Game Season 2, underscores its global reach, with ScreenRant calling it a “massive hit” that’s “quickly climbing the ladder.”

Dept. Q’s Emmy eligibility, as noted by TVLine, positions it as a contender in a crowded 2025 field alongside Severance and The White Lotus. Its critical acclaim and bingeable format have sparked comparisons to Baby Reindeer, which also defied expectations with a late-season release. The show’s Scottish roots, sharp humor, and haunting visuals—think rain-soaked Edinburgh alleys—make it a standout, with fans urging Netflix to greenlight Season 2 to resolve the ambush mystery and introduce new cases.

A Binge-Worthy Obsession

Dept. Q’s nine episodes, available on Netflix since April 2025, are a masterclass in crime drama, blending a compelling mystery with raw emotional stakes. Matthew Goode’s Carl Mørck, backed by a stellar cast, navigates a world of betrayal and trauma that feels painfully real. The unresolved conspiracy, paired with the promise of more cold cases, has viewers begging for a second season. Stream it now, join the X conversation with hashtags like #DeptQ, or dive into Adler-Olsen’s novels for more. Support the show by sharing your reactions or exploring Edinburgh’s gritty charm. Dept. Q isn’t just a hit—it’s a pulse-pounding journey into darkness, and with fans clamoring for more, it’s clear this mystery is just getting started!