Netflix’s Dept. Q is the kind of gripping, atmospheric crime series that pulls you in from the start with smart writing, moody visuals, layered storytelling, and standout performances. Based on the best-selling novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen, the show follows detective Carl Mørck (Matthew Goode), a man grappling with PTSD after a case that nearly cost him his life. In the pilot episode, Carl and his partner James Hardy (Jamie Sives) respond to what appears to be a routine call, only to walk into a deadly ambush. A rookie officer is killed, Hardy is left paralyzed, and Carl barely survives.

The aftermath of that tragedy sidelines Carl, landing him in Dept. Q, a basement-level division assigned to cold cases with little expectation of success. Season 1 centers on their first investigation: the disappearance of prosecutor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie). That case ultimately reaches a resolution, but the trauma that brought Carl to Dept. Q remains a looming mystery. While the Lingard storyline delivers closure, the questions surrounding the original shooting are never answered, casting a long shadow over Carl’s actions and setting the stage for a compelling Season 2.

There Are More Questions To Answer About Hardy and Morck in ‘Dept. Q’

While Merritt’s case is brought to a close, the question of who shot Carl and Hardy, and killed rookie officer PC Anderson (Angus Yellowlees), remains unresolved. Throughout the season, Mørck struggles with PTSD, grappling with both physical trauma and the emotional weight of what happened. Though he attends sessions with Dr. Rachel Irving (Kelly Macdonald), the therapy offers little solace. Instead, Carl channels his energy into his work, and in the background of the Lingard investigation, he begins quietly piecing together his own theory about the shooting. One of his nightmares even hints that a Leith Park crime boss may have orchestrated the ambush, a possible clue to where Carl’s suspicions truly lie.

As the story unfolds, Carl’s attention turns toward the integrity of PC Anderson himself. He begins to suspect that Anderson may have been corrupt and could have staged the stabbing at the original crime scene to cover up his own involvement. Anderson claimed the victim’s daughter called them in, but Carl and Akram (Alexej Manvelov) discover that the man didn’t have a daughter. That detail, seemingly minor, sets off alarm bells. Carl realizes that Anderson wasn’t just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he may have played a much bigger role in what went down. This quiet, parallel investigation showcases Carl really tapping into his instincts as a detective.

After a three-month time jump, the case still hangs unresolved. In one of the show’s final scenes, Morck’s commanding officer Moira (Kate Dickie) pulls Hardy aside and gives him a file to review alone. Though it’s unclear what she’s referring to, the moment strongly suggests that the truth behind the shooting has yet to be uncovered, and that Hardy may hold the key. The setup teases a deeper conspiracy, one tied to the very institutions Carl once trusted, and one that deserves further exploration. For a show that’s just beginning to peel back the layers of its world, it’s the perfect thread to explore in Season 2, and a compelling reason Dept. Q deserves to continue.

The Shooting Investigation Is the Perfect ‘Dept. Q’ Season 2 Arc

One of the greatest strengths of Dept. Q is how it balances serialized character drama with compelling standalone procedural cases. Season 1 proved the series can construct a full mystery from start to finish — like the Merritt Lingard case — while also weaving in ongoing emotional and narrative arcs. That’s exactly why continuing Carl’s investigation into the ambush that nearly killed him is such a natural next step. With Lingard’s case resolved, Season 2 can introduce a brand-new cold case while still allowing the mystery behind the shooting to slowly unfold in the background. The show has already demonstrated it can handle dual narratives, and doing so again would only heighten the stakes.

‘Dept. Q’s Most Twisted Moment Makes It Netflix’s Latest Must-Watch Detective Series

The series comes from ‘The Queen’s Gambit’s Scott Frank.

Now that Hardy is back at work, his role in the story becomes even more interesting. He spent most of Season 1 bedridden, learning how to walk again after being paralyzed in the attack. By the finale, however, he’s quietly tasked with revisiting the ambush that changed both his and Carl’s lives. Watching Hardy integrate into Dept. Q’s team of misfits, while also investigating the shooting, adds a new emotional layer to the ensemble. Giving Hardy agency in Season 2 would create a powerful emotional throughline as he rebuilds both his body and his sense of purpose.

‘Dept. Q’ Season 2 Should Build the Netflix Series’ World

Beyond this, the world of Dept. Q is rich with potential. Jussi Adler-Olsen’s book series includes multiple haunting and morally complex cases that haven’t yet been adapted. A second season could use Carl’s personal investigation as the backbone, while drawing its main procedural case from the next novel. Creator Scott Frank and star Matthew Goode have already expressed interest in continuing the story and exploring more of Carl’s personal life. And with such a strong cast (many of whom were only just introduced), there’s plenty of room for growth, deeper friendships, and new conflicts.

Dept. Q Season 1 may have delivered closure for Merritt Lingard, but it left behind one crucial open case. That unanswered question — the ambush, the young officer’s death, and the suggestion of an inside job — is more than enough reason to give the show a Season 2. Netflix already has a binge-worthy crime drama with depth, complexity, and staying power. All it needs now is a green-light.

Dept. Q

Release Date

May 29, 2025

Network

Netflix