Dept. Q

DCI Carl Morck returns to Edinburgh police station, four months after having been shot. In addition to the trauma, he has to deal with his guilt. He and his partner Hardy had decided to inspect a crime scene where they shouldn’t have been. Carefree, they didn’t wait for reinforcements. The constable on the scene was shot dead by a hidden killer. Carl owned his life only to the fact that a bullet passed through his partner’s spine before hitting him, leaving Hardy paralyzed.

The police station chief isn’t sure what to make of her inspector, who was already unmanageable before this incident. But an opportunity presents itself. The police need a media spotlight. A department dedicated to reopening cold cases is to be created. Morck is appointed head of this department, and is its sole representative. He manages to negotiate the assignment of two assistants (who nobody wants either). Although relegated to a dark, filthy, abandoned basement, the unlikely trio resolutely take up the case of a person who has been missing for four years. Against all odds, they just might solve it.

Suspense and tension, a real episode turner!

In general, I really like British crime series. I watched this one out of curiosity, not expecting anything special, and devoured it. Some viewers will see the twist at the end of the first episode coming. I didn’t. I found the storytelling clever and loved being surprised. The suspense and constant psychological tension are skilfully orchestrated. Without being a horror series, the story is chilling. On the other hand, it feels reassuring to know that even after years, the police never give up on finding a missing person.

The series is based on Jussi Adler-Olsen’s novels. A half-dozen plots intertwine and unravel, some connecting, but not all. We’re keen to follow all the leads to see where they take us. The final coincidence of inspectors arriving in the right place at the right time after four years is a bit of a stretch. But apart from that, the pace of the plot is very good.

The central character of the grumpy mysanthrope isn’t original, but he offers a palette of delightful interactions with all the other characters, who are themselves rather ill-suited to social life. The excellent cast brings out the best in a range of complex and interesting characters.

This dark, gripping thriller really deserves a season 2.

1 season, 9 episodes (60 mn), 2025 – , on Netflix

WITH :

• Police : Matthew Goode (A discovery of witches) as Carl Morck, Jamie Sives as James Hardy, Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim, Leah Byrne as Rose, Kate Dickie (The English game) as Moira Jacobson
• Civilians : Chloe Pirrie (Carnival Row) as Merritt Lingard, Mark Bonnar as Stephen Burns, Shirley Henderson as Claire Marsh, Kelly Macdonald as Dr. Rachel Irving, Tom Bulpee as William Lingard, Steven Miller as Sam Haig, Aaron Mc Veigh as Jasper, Michelle Duncan (Andor) as Dr Wallace