From 2007 to 2021, the acclaimed Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen crafted a gripping series of ten novels titled Department Q, which fall under the noir crime fiction genre. These captivating narratives have inspired numerous Danish thriller films over the years, with exciting new adaptations on the horizon. Recently, Netflix released a stunning collection of first-look images, offering an exclusive preview of their forthcoming 9-episode series Dept. Q. This adaptation stars Matthew Goode and notably shifts the backdrop from the familiar streets of Copenhagen, Denmark, to the intriguing cityscape of Edinburgh, Scotland. The eagerly awaited premiere date for Dept. Q is set for May 29th, promising viewers an exciting new chapter in this beloved saga.
Directed and written by Scott Frank, who is known for his successful Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit and Godless, Dept. Q presents a compelling synopsis: DCI Carl Morck is an exceptionally talented detective, yet his caustic wit makes him a challenging colleague. After a tragic shooting incident results in the death of a young police constable and leaves his partner paralyzed, Carl finds himself relegated to the basement as the sole member of Department Q—a newly established cold case unit. This department serves as a public relations facade, designed to distract citizens from the shortcomings of a poorly funded police force. However, through a series of unexpected events, Carl begins to gather a motley crew of misfits, all eager to prove their worth. As the investigation into the long-cold case of a missing civil servant reignites, Carl finds himself in his element once more—disrupting the status quo and demanding answers.
In this thrilling adaptation, Matthew Goode (The King’s Man) takes on the role of Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck, supported by a talented ensemble cast that includes Chloe Pirrie (An Inspector Calls) as Merritt Lingard, Jamie Sives (Annika) as Detective Chief Inspector James Hardy, Mark Bonnar (Operation Mincemeat) as Stephen Burns, Alexej Manvelov (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan) as Akram Salim, Leah Byrne (The Last Bus) as Detective Constable Rose Dickson, Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones) as Detective Chief Superintendent Moira Jacobson, Shirley Henderson (Bridget Jones’s Diary) as Claire Marsh, Kelly Macdonald (No Country for Old Men) as Dr. Rachel Irving, and Tom Bulpett (Father Brown) as William Lingard.
In an interview with Tudum, Frank disclosed that he contemplated adapting Adler-Olsen’s novels for several years. He expressed, “The concept of Department Q resonated with me deeply. I was captivated by the title and the idea behind it. During the filming of the 2014 movie A Walk Among the Tombstones in New York, I finally met with the author. I had already been holding onto the books for a couple of years. He expressed his trust in me and revealed that he had always hoped I would take on the project as the writer and director.” As noted by Tudum, Adler-Olsen’s dream has materialized, as Frank has written or co-written all nine episodes of Dept. Q and directed six of them, ensuring a faithful and engaging adaptation.
Are you excited about the release of Dept. Q? Be sure to explore the first look images and share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
