Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
New True Crime Series ‘Dept. Q’ Starring Matthew Goode to Debut on Netflix
Fans of true crime dramas on Netflix will be thrilled to hear about the upcoming premiere of Dept. Q (Department Q), a new series slated for release this year. The show features Matthew Goode, recognized for his role in Downton Abbey, and Trainspotting icon Kelly MacDonald. Goode will take the lead as Detective Carl Morck in this highly anticipated crime series.
Adaptation and Setting
This eight-part series is based on the acclaimed book series by author Jussi Adler-Olsen and is scheduled to launch on Netflix next month. While the original novels are set in Copenhagen, the television adaptation shifts the location to the Scottish capital. The project is helmed by showrunner Scott Frank, known for his work on The Queen’s Gambit.
Plot Introduction: Detective Carl Morck and Department Q
What can viewers expect from Dept. Q? The narrative begins after a violent incident dramatically alters the life of DCI Carl Morck. As a result, he is reassigned to a newly formed cold case unit named Department Q. Initially content with the perceived quietude of his new post, Detective Morck’s innate investigative drive soon resurfaces.
Scott Frank’s Vision for Matthew Goode in Lead Role
Showrunner Scott Frank shared his perspective on casting Matthew Goode in the central role for this Netflix endeavor. “Matthew just embodied the character,” Frank explained. “I was writing with him specifically in mind. I was confident in his ability to portray this character, bringing both a sharp intellect and a certain toughness, while also capturing emotional depth without resorting to melodrama.”
Goode’s Perspective on the Character
Matthew Goode commented on his collaboration with Frank, stating to Tudum, “This marks the second instance where Scott has entrusted me with a role that might seem unconventional casting. In The Lookout, his directorial debut in 2007, he cast me as a Kansas bank robber, a character type that doesn’t immediately spring to mind for me. Similarly, with this role, I wouldn’t have automatically envisioned myself in this particular kind of part.”
Notable Supporting Cast
The series boasts a strong ensemble cast, including Mark Bonnar (Guilt), Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones), Jamie Sives (Crime), and Kate Dickie (Inside Man). Matthew Goode, it’s worth noting, previously portrayed Antony Armstrong-Jones in season two of The Crown. Kelly MacDonald, recognized for her performances in Trainspotting, Brave, and Nanny McPhee, will play Dr. Rachel Irving.
Fan Excitement Builds Ahead of Premiere
In anticipation of the premiere, Netflix released several still images from Dept. Q, intensifying viewer anticipation. Social media reactions reflect considerable enthusiasm. One Instagram user exclaimed, “Omg matthew goode!!” Another added Matthew Goode to their watch list, while another expressed eager anticipation for his return to the screen in 2025.
Premiere Date Confirmed
Dept. Q is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on May 29, 2025.