Dept Q is now streaming on Netflix: Here's why Matthew Goode, Kelly MacDonald-starrer is already the best crime drama of the year
Netflix¡¯s latest British crime thriller Dept Q, starring Matthew Goode and Kelly Macdonald, has arrived, and fans are already calling it the best thing streaming right now. Gritty, emotional, and packed with drama, this cold-case series is giving Slow Horses a run for its money. Here¡¯s what the hype is all about.
The crime thriller streets are talking, and the buzzword is Dept Q. Netflix just unleashed this grimy British detective series, and let us tell you, fans are eating it up like cold pizza after a night out.
Dept Q on Netflix is already the best crime drama of the year | Credit: Instagram/netflix
Dept Q plot
Starring the ever-dashing Matthew Goode as brooding detective Carl Morck, Dept Q is not your average crime procedural. There is trauma, guilt, a cold case that refuses to stay buried, and enough emotional damage to make your therapist cry.
Dept Q on Netflix is already the best crime drama of the year | Credit: Instagram/netflix
Based on Jussi Adler-Olsen¡¯s best-selling novel, the series has been adapted for the screen by The Queen¡¯s Gambit creator Scott Frank, so expect moody lighting, razor-sharp writing, and psychological warfare dressed in tweed.
Dept Q on Netflix is already the best crime drama of the year | Credit: Instagram/netflix
Morck is not in his detective prime anymore. Haunted by a tragic case that left his partner paralysed, he is now stuck working cold cases that no one wants to touch ¡ª until one of them starts biting back. Enter Dr Rachel Irving (played by the always-compelling Kelly MaCdonald), who attempts to navigate his PTSD-infested brain, and a web of characters including a stone-cold prosecutor, a Syrian cop, a cadet with backbone, and enough drama to fuel your next group chat.
Dept Q on Netflix is already the best crime drama of the year | Credit: Instagram/netflix
Dept Q reviews: Fans say this might be the best detective show of the year
Now here is the real kicker: fans are loving it. Social media has exploded with reactions ¡ª one viewer called it ¡°the absolute best thing on Netflix right now,¡± praising its realistic tone and emotional depth. Others are comparing it to Slow Horses, with some claiming it could even surpass Apple¡¯s espionage hit if Netflix keeps up the momentum.
I only watched one episode of #DepartmentQ before release but I really like it so far. Matthew Goode is always great and it¡¯s so nice to see him get a lead role he can sink his teeth into. If they stick the landing, this could easily be one of the best detective shows of the year pic.twitter.com/LFvxrQfnzv
¡ª David Opie (@DavidOpie) May 29, 2025
A intelligent must-read about Netflix Dept. Q, Scott Frank's masterpiece adaptation & Matthew Goode's electtifying performance
¡ª As Goode as gold (Matthew Goode fan page) (@asgoodeasgold) May 27, 2025
"This isn't procedural comfort food; it's a nine-episode descent into institutional hell that makes you question everything."https://t.co/iCiQfmDZVI pic.twitter.com/sT3w7yU5eY
@netflix Department Q is cinematically beautiful. The script is scrumptious and the performances delightful. More, please. pic.twitter.com/ptYiz12E9Q
¡ª ChereneSays (@InsaneInsomniac) May 29, 2025
If you were a fan of Matthew Goode before, wait until you meet DCI Carl Morck. Our #DeptQ review: https://t.co/59sjAESFNp pic.twitter.com/tEJGMUdIih
¡ª Fangirlish (@fangirlish) May 29, 2025
Netflix's #DepartmentQ is an engaging crime thriller that will keep you glued to the screen. Plus, Matthew Goode! Our review: https://t.co/59sjAESFNp pic.twitter.com/Z2SKMVYPDJ
¡ª Fangirlish (@fangirlish) May 29, 2025
Critics are jumping on the hype train too. The show currently holds a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes ¡ª not bad considering critics only got a sneak peek at five of the nine episodes. A review from Rolling Stone even wondered whether Netflix would be able to roll out future seasons as smoothly as Apple has managed with its detective dramas.
REVIEW: Like 'Slow Horses'? Then you'll love 'Dept. Q' the new Netflix show about a unit of misfit cops cracking cold cases in Scotland.
¡ª Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) May 29, 2025
More: https://t.co/uLZxwGM2Pf pic.twitter.com/8wU3ixVBQK
As I mentioned earlier if you wanna watch something truly fantastic watch Dept Q on Netflix . Shaping up to be one of the best series they have delivered in ages and very true to it¡¯s Scandi noir roots . It¡¯s a belter ?????
¡ª C aka lossy laaaaaad (@Thatguy_Carl7) May 29, 2025
Night ?
So yes, if you are craving suspense, smart storytelling, and a lead character with enough emotional baggage to rival a Ryanair flight, Dept Q is your next binge. It just hit Netflix on 29 May. Watch it now, or be stuck dodging spoilers and memes for the next month.
I am your go-to girl for all things entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle. With three years of experience, I have got an eye for spotting trends that¡¯ll leave you craving for more. Whether it¡¯s the latest in fashion or the hottest celebrity gossip, I am is always on top of what¡¯s next¡ªand ready to spill all the tea in the most fun way possible. Keep following for more fun stuff!
Read More