Dept. Q
Season 1 Premiere:
May 29, 2025
Metascore
Generally Favorable
69
User score
Generally Favorable
7.5
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All Seasons
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Metascore
Generally Favorable
69
64% Positive
14 Reviews
14 Reviews
36% Mixed
8 Reviews
8 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
May 29, 2025
91
“Broken people healing themselves by providing closure for crime victims” can be an especially effective subgenre if the writing, directing, and casting align — and in Dept. Q, everything gels beautifully.
May 29, 2025
80
Dept. Q, which Frank co-created with Chandni Lakhani, boasts a terrific lead performance from Goode, introduces a memorable ensemble cast and even unfurls a compelling mystery, albeit one that probably could have been told with a little more efficiency.
User score
Generally Favorable
7.5
81% Positive
99 Ratings
99 Ratings
9% Mixed
11 Ratings
11 Ratings
10% Negative
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
Oct 11, 2025
10
It's an excellent piece of police irreverent drama. Characters are priceless. Not hyperrealistic style, but fictional.
Sep 30, 2025
10
Not every detective series manages to go beyond genre clichés, but Dept. Q brings a fresh take thanks to its perfect balance of intrigue, drama, and humanity. What begins as a dark story about cold cases becomes an experience that is as moving as it is **** heart of the show lies not only in the crimes but in the relationship between its characters. Matthew Goode delivers an ambiguous, magnetic performance as the haunted detective, but the real standout is the Syrian assistant, a character full of nuance who blends humor, tenderness, and resilience. He makes you laugh, feel, and even cry along the way.Edinburgh’s gothic streets and shadowy atmosphere heighten the tension of each case, wrapping every episode in a magnetic tone. Add to that a polished production and a script that knows how to build suspense **** the end, Dept. Q works not just as a crime series but also as a portrait of damaged people finding redemption through their work. A solid, emotional show with the potential to become one of the genre’s greats.
May 29, 2025
80
It is all fantastically well, and rigorously, done. The pacing has a leisurely confidence that some may find a touch slow, but allows for a character-first approach, creating a richness that amply rewards initial patience.
May 29, 2025
70
Dept. Q expands beyond typical crime fare in much the same way The Queen’s Gambit transcended its ostensible subjects: chess, midcentury fashion, female empowerment. The first season does lack the latter show’s depth. But what it accomplishes should be enough to make it very popular.
May 29, 2025
60
Dept. Q will likely grip fans of whodunit fare well enough, but with some crucial tweaks, it's not hard to imagine it becoming a better show if further seasons are to follow.
May 29, 2025
50
Goode’s performance, while proficient, feels a little dull. He’s fine, but “Dept. Q” might have been more interesting with someone genuinely scruffier in the role.
May 29, 2025
40
It’s very, very grim. .... Beyond that, the show struggles with its angle on Morck. .... If the show could just turn down the dial on its protagonist grimly shouting at people, this motley crew might actually cohere into a crack squad of crime solvers.
Jul 30, 2025
6
Stylishly shot and atmospherically moody, Dept. Q walks a fine line between familiar genre tropes and deeper emotional introspection. What elevates it is the strong lead performance and visual precision that lend the show a certain gravitas. While the pacing falters in places, the craft and tone make for a respectable entry into the Nordic noir-inspired canon. A solid, if not groundbreaking, procedural.
Jun 13, 2025
6
Matthew Goode plays a Scottish detective whose character is also an arrogant arse. Despite his lack of people skills, he’s a top-notch investigator. After a traumatic encounter that leaves his partner paralyzed, he’s assigned to a cold case, which sets the story in motion. Goode is effective in the part and even though his character isn’t plagued by alcoholism or another trite blemish, he does have clashes with almost every human, including his son. Fortunately, he’s joined by 2 sidekicks that add a bit more personality: Alexej Manvelov, as the serious Syrian refugee, and Leah Byrne, the resourceful redhead. Meanwhile, the primary suspect’s captivity plays out with a dark edge. The series does sprawl into several side plots and there’s not much real suspense, but it does present a solid mystery with the strong ensemble that makes it enjoyable for what it is. (9 one-hour eps)
May 31, 2025
2
Starts of well and then turns into such a ridiculous mess that I that questions why I bothered watching it in the first place.
