Spy content is peaking in popularity right now, and not just because of the heights of theMission: Impossiblefranchise. Streaming shows likeThe Old Man, The Agency, The Night Agent,and even aspects ofThe Diplomathave examined the exciting, action-packed operations of secret agencies that conduct their affairs in the shadows. Amidst these many espionage-themed programs, Apple TV+‘sSlow Horseshas still managed to stand out as a result of its deliberate, realistic approach. Although taking a grounded approach can be a risk,fans ofSlow Horsesowe it to themselves to check out the Netflix crime thrillerDept. Q.
Based on the acclaimed novel series of the same name by Danish authorJussi Adler-Olsen,Dept. Qis the latest projectfromScott Frank, the brilliant showrunner behindThe Queen’s GambitandGodless. The Netflix series shares many qualities withSlow Horses, as both shows focus on a group of “misfit” spies that aren’t given enough respect by their superiors; in fact,Dept. Q’s protagonist, Carl Morck(Matthew Goode), is both placed in a new division, like River Cartwright (Jack Lowden), and develops an aggressive, confrontational attitude like Jackson Lamb (Gary Oldman).Dept. Qcombines old-fashioned mystery solving with modern social and political issues, resulting in one of the best shows of 2025 so far.
What Is ‘Dept. Q’ About?
The title ofDept. Qrefers toa special unit of Edinburgh’s law enforcement division focusing on “cold cases” that have gone unsolved. Carl was once a highly respected agent who worked on more active investigations, buthe has struggled mentally, emotionally, and professionallyin the aftermath of a tragic accident in which one of his fellow officers was murdered in front of him. Although Carl seeks redemption, he can’t get over his suspicions that his superiors simply want him to fade away by working on cases that seem to all have a dead end. Nonetheless, Carl begins to put together a team that can look into the disappearance of Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), a prosecutor who had made her fair share of enemies by tackling controversial cases.
Dept. Qemphasizes the “team” nature of modern spywork, as the show does notboast a singular protagonist. Even though Carl has burned enough bridges that he has to start his new department from scratch, he does find new allies in fresh-faced cadet Rose (Leah Byrne) and former Syrian cop Akram (Alexej Manvelov), who share his intellectual curiosity and desire for justice. Given that the case itself has become controversial because of Merritt’s controversial nature, the heroes ofDept. Qhave to work overtime to prove that their investigation is worthwhile.LikeSlow Horses,Dept Q.is an espionage series that focuses on underdogs, casting its main characters in a very sympathetic light.
Dept. Qexplores all aspects of Carl’s life, as the tragic death of his partner has evencaused his family life to collapse. While scenes of familial dysfunction can often feel disruptive when paired alongside more procedural moments,Dept. Qhas a strong ongoing storyline about Carl trying to reconnect with his stepson, Jasper Stewart (Aaron McVeigh). Additionally, scenes in which Carl discusses his anxieties are fleshed out thanks to the presence ofKelly Macdonald, who co-stars as therapist Dr. Rachel Irving. While these scenes risk being too broad in their characterization of post-traumatic stress disorder, they’re effective inDept. Q, thanks to the strength of the chemistry between MacDonald and Goode.
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‘Dept. Q’ Is a Gritty Spy Procedural
Dept. Qis surprisingly dark, violent, and at times quite disturbing, particularly when it is revealed why Merritt was kidnapped, and how it isrelated to a larger conspiracy. While there are definitely some moments of torture and psychological warfare that are hard to watch, there is never a point inDept. Qwhere it feels exploitative. The series shines a light on relevant issues with regard to the harassment of prosecutors, particularly women, who are involved in high-profile legal proceedings. It also examines the lack of resources given to critical divisions like Carl’s, who are more focused on saving lives than arming themselves. That being said,Dept. Q’s focus on disturbing police investigations does not prevent it from being entertaining, as there is quite a bit of humorous dialogue that comes from Carl’s lack of patience when dealing with traditional procedures and protocols.
Dept. Qis anchored by Goode’s amazing performance, which may be one of the best of his entire career. While Goode has proven to be a quick-witted, charismatic force of nature in his appearances in shows likeThe CrownandDownton Abbey, he is allowed to play a much more brooding, socially awkward character who harbors a deep sense ofresentment at the system he feels has betrayed him. Although centering an entire series around such a hostile character could have grown obnoxious, Carl has an interesting arc, as he gradually learns to have respect for the other members of his team. Even at his angriest, Carl is often advocating for important causes; he cannot bear to think that he’d be responsible for another unjust loss of life.
Dept. Qleaves things open for a second season, as while the initial case presented is wrapped up perfectly by the finale, there is plenty of room to adapt further installments in the book series. Beyond the fact that the ensemble is already established and could expand with the addition of new characters,Dept. Qfinds a way to make the procedural thriller exciting and benefits from Scott’s strong background in genre storytelling. While it has drawn acclaim from those who enjoySlow Horses, Dept. Qhasestablished itself as a distinct entitythat deserves to continue improving over more seasons.
