Dept. Q: Netflix’s New Crime Thriller Debuts with a Stunning 83% on Rotten Tomatoes!

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The brand-new British crime thriller show from Netflix, titled “Dept. Q,” made its debut today on their streaming platform. So far, it’s been earning high praise with a commendable Rotten Tomatoes score of 83%. Critics are appreciating the series for its compelling characters, thought-provoking themes, and intriguing mystery.

In simpler terms, reviewers from Collider and LeisureByte.com both appreciate the “Dept. Q” series, with Samuel R. Murrian suggesting that with some improvements, it could become even better if there are more seasons. Archi Sengupta praises its engaging elements such as plot twists, humor, and performances, calling them all “a slam dunk.

According to the Danish crime series “Dept. Q,” which is based on novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen, Matthew Goode (known for his role in “Downton Abbey”) portrays Carl Morck, a detective who’s emotionally wounded and tasked with establishing Department Q, a department dedicated to solving cold cases. Transforming an Edinburgh basement into a functional unit, the team is composed of misfit officers who are determined to solve the seemingly unsolvable cases that land on their desks. Kristen Baldwin from Entertainment Weekly finds this concept intriguing and effective.

The sub-genre of stories about ‘damaged individuals finding healing through justice for crime victims’ can be particularly powerful when the writing, direction, and acting are harmonious. In the case of Department Q, all elements come together flawlessly.

‘Dept. Q’ Differs From the Source Material

Written by Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani, along with Goode, the crime series Dept. Q features Kelly Macdonald (known for her role in Trainspotting), Chloe Pirrie (from The Queen’s Gambit), Alexej Manvelov (previously seen in Jack Ryan), and Leah Byrne (a star from Call the Midwife). Although some members of the cast might have been acquainted with the original source material before filming, Goode recently revealed to RadioTimes that reading the books wasn’t necessary because most of what they required was already included in the script. The setting was changed from Copenhagen to Scotland.

I was familiar with the books, but Scott mentioned… he didn’t command it, he didn’t forbid reading them, instead he stated, ‘You don’t have to, if you choose to.’ And since, of course, he shifted the story from Copenhagen to Scotland and made me suddenly British, much of it doesn’t resonate with me personally. A lot of it is in the script. Adapting a book can feel quite restrictive, but I loved the freedom we had in creating some of Carl’s background, rather than being bound by the book.

Regarding the characters in the series, film critic Jonathon Wilson from Ready Steady Cut particularly appreciates Manvelov’s portrayal of Akram Salim, a Syrian police officer who escapes to Europe. He finds that “Akram is the main reason to watch this show.” According to him, Manvelov delivers an exceptional performance as Akram, maintaining a steady composure that serves two purposes: it provides some of the funniest moments in the series, but also conveys the most sincere emotions.

Absolutely, there are critics who aren’t fond of Dept. Q, such as Sean Boelman from FandomWire, who describes it as “one of the least impressive new shows in a while.” However, with an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, it seems that the positive aspects overshadow any negatives. You can form your own opinion this weekend, as all nine episodes of Dept. Q Season 1 are now streaming on Netflix.

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2025-05-29 18:02