Dept Q Review – What Critic and Audience Say in 2025

In late May 2025, Netflix released Dept Q, a crime thriller adapted from Jussi Adler-Olsen’s celebrated Danish novel series. The show landed with a generally strong critical reception, drawing praise for its cast, its bleak atmosphere, and its cold-case narrative, even as some reviewers flagged uneven pacing and moments of predictability.

Set in Edinburgh rather than Copenhagen, the series follows the abrasive Detective Carl Mørck as he leads a misfit cold-case unit. The eight-episode first season, based on the novel The Keeper of Lost Causes, arrived with little fanfare but quickly generated discussion across review platforms and social media.

Below, we break down what critics and early viewers are saying, how the show compares to its source material, and what the future may hold for the series.

What do critics and audiences say about Dept Q?

• Critical consensus is generally favourable, with particular praise for the cinematography and the lead performances.
• A minority of reviews note that the plot can feel predictable in places, and the middle episodes lose momentum.
• User sentiment, based on the limited audience commentary available, is more divided than the critical response.
• The series is an adaptation, not a direct translation, and changes the setting from Denmark to Scotland.
• As of June 2025, Netflix has not confirmed a second season, leaving the show’s future uncertain.
• No Rotten Tomatoes critic or audience scores appear in the available search results, making direct aggregation difficult.
• The Guardian review referenced in some promotional material was not present in the research set, so its verdict cannot be independently verified here.

How does Dept Q season 1 compare to the original novels?

What does the adaptation keep from the books?

The series preserves the core premise of Adler-Olsen’s work: a brilliant but damaged detective, exiled to a basement cold-case unit, reopens a long-buried disappearance. The abrasive personality of Carl Mørck and the emotional weight of the victims’ stories are carried over from the novels.

What are the main differences between the series and the novels?

The most visible change is geographical. The books are rooted in Denmark, while the Netflix adaptation transplants the action to Edinburgh. One review described the show’s mood as “beautifully bleak,” suggesting the creative team leaned into atmosphere and character rather than attempting a page-to-screen recreation.

Reviews indicate that the show reworks the material into a British-American production with a different creative team and tonal register, distinct from both the original novels and the earlier Danish film adaptations.

Which book is season 1 based on?

Season 1 draws from The Keeper of Lost Causes, the first novel in Adler-Olsen’s Department Q series. The story follows the investigation of a missing politician who disappeared five years earlier, a case that everyone else has written off.

When is Dept Q season 2 coming out and what can we expect?

Is season 2 confirmed?

As of June 2025, Netflix has not officially renewed Dept Q for a second season. One review published at the time of the season 1 release noted that the streaming platform had not yet confirmed a renewal. Any discussion of a second season remains speculative.

What books could season 2 cover?

If renewed, the series would likely adapt The Absent One, the second novel in Adler-Olsen’s series. That book follows Carl Mørck and his team as they reinvestigate a decades-old murder of two siblings, a case with connections to an elite boarding school.

How many seasons are planned?

No information about a planned episode order or season count has been announced. The length of the series will depend on viewership metrics and Netflix’s strategic decisions.

Where can I watch Dept Q and what are the streaming options?

The entire first season of Dept Q is available to stream exclusively on Netflix. All nine episodes were released simultaneously on 29 May 2025, following the platform’s typical binge-release model for original series.

As of June 2025, the series is not available on Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, or any other streaming service in most regions. Given that Netflix produced the show, it is likely to remain a Netflix exclusive for the foreseeable future.

An official trailer was released on Netflix’s YouTube channel in April 2025, ahead of the season premiere. For more recommendations in the same vein, see our guide to Netflix crime dramas to watch after Dept Q.

What is the release timeline for Dept Q?

1. 2024 – Netflix announces the Dept Q television adaptation.
2. Early 2025 – Filming is completed and the first trailer is released.
3. 29 May 2025 – Season 1 premieres on Netflix with all nine episodes.
4. June 2025 – Critical and audience reviews are published; speculation about a season 2 renewal begins.
5. TBD – A possible season 2 announcement may come in late 2025 or early 2026, contingent on viewership metrics.

What is confirmed and what remains uncertain about Dept Q?

What is the background of the Dept Q adaptation?

Dept Q arrives as Netflix’s latest foray into Nordic Noir-inspired crime drama, but with a distinctly Scottish twist. The decision to relocate the story from Copenhagen to Edinburgh has drawn both praise for its atmospheric locations and criticism for altering the cultural context of the source material.

The series is based on the work of Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen, whose Department Q novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and were previously adapted into a series of Danish-language films. The Netflix version represents a fresh take, with a British-American creative team and a different tonal register. One review described the adaptation’s mood as “beautifully bleak,” indicating that the show prioritizes atmosphere and character development over strict fidelity to the novels.

For viewers interested in the broader genre, our complete guide to Nordic Noir TV shows provides additional context on similar series.

What are critics saying about Dept Q? Key quotes and sources

“A worthy entry into the gritty crime-thriller genre.” For those planning a trip between these two major Scottish cities, you can find detailed Glasgow to Edinburgh train times to help you plan your journey.

Tell-Tale TV, season 1 review

“Flawed but smart, gripping, brilliantly acted, and emotionally resonant.”

The Killing Times, 4.5/5 review

“A distinct voice with compelling cold cases, though the middle section drags.”

Jonathan Glazier Media, review

Additional context and aggregate data can be found on Metacritic, which describes the series as “rigorously” done with pacing that some viewers may find slow. The IMDB page for the series hosts user ratings and episode guides, while the author’s official website provides background on the original novels.

Is Dept Q worth watching? A final verdict

Based on the available evidence, Dept Q season 1 is a well-reviewed but not universally loved crime drama. It is admired for its mood, its performances, and its emotionally resonant central mystery, while some viewers and critics have cited pacing issues and predictable plot turns as drawbacks. The show is best approached as a standalone crime thriller rather than a faithful book adaptation. For fans of the genre, it offers a solid, atmospheric watch, but those expecting the wit and charisma of a show like Slow Horses may find it lacking in energy.

Frequently asked questions about Dept Q