Filming underway for series 2 of Netflix thriller Dept. Q
The first series was labelled 'the best thing on Netflix'
Last updated 25th Jun 2026
In May 2025, Netflix premiered gripping new crime drama Dept. Q, starring an impressive cast that included Matthew Goode, Kelly Macdonald, Chloe Pirrie, and Mark Bonnar. The series quickly won over audiences and critics alike, earning widespread acclaim and rave reviews.
The series was written by Scott Frank, the man responsible for The Queen's Gambit, with Rob Bullock, Scott Frank, and Andy Harries also on board as Executive Producers. After binging all episodes, fans were quick to praise the show, with many calling it 'the best show on Netflix'.
Will there be a second series?
After landing on the platform at the end of May 2025, Netflix viewers were demanding a second series of Dept. Q, and they were quickly given some exciting news.
On Tuesday 19th August 2025, Netflix confirmed Dept. Q had been renewed for a second series. Sharing the news on social media, the post read: 'team doolally will return for another season of Dept. Q! ✌️'. (sic)
When is series two out?
There's no word on a release date just yet, but on Thursday 25th June 2026, Netflix confirmed production for series two is now underway.
Sharing a photo on social media of the cast, the message read: 'Carl Morck and team doolally are back. Dept. Q S2 is officially in production!'. (sic)
All episodes of Dept. Q series one landed on Thursday 29th May 2025.
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What is Dept. Q about?
Set in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dept.Q, or Department Q as it's also known, is an adaptation of the novels of the same name by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen.
Netflix's official synopsis of the show reads: 'DCI Carl Morck is a brilliant cop but a terrible colleague. His razor-sharp sarcasm has made him no friends in Edinburgh police. After a shooting that leaves a young pc dead, and his partner paralysed, he finds himself exiled to the basement and the sole member of Department Q; a newly formed cold case unit.
'The department is a PR stunt, there to distract the public from the failures of an under-resourced, failing police force that is glad to see the back of him. But more by accident than design, Carl starts to build a gang of waifs and strays who have everything to prove. So, when the stone-cold trail of a prominent civil servant who disappeared several years ago starts to heat up, Carl is back doing what he does best - rattling cages and refusing to take no for an answer'.
Is there a trailer?
The official trailer for Dept. Q series one dropped on Wednesday 7th May 2025. There's no trailer for series two just yet.
Who is in the cast?
British actor Matthew Goode, known for roles in the The Imitation Game and Downton Abbey, plays the main lead of English detective Carl Morck.
Matthew is joined by Line Of Duty actress Kelly Macdonald, The Rig actor Mark Bonnar, and Harry Potter star Shirley Henderson in the drama.
Speaking to Tudum about the cast, lead actor Matthew Goode said: “Scott assembled one of the finest casts I’ve ever gotten to work with. It’s just an incredible playpen for an actor.” He added: “Leah Byrne is a stone-cold star. I felt like I've known Jamie Sives for a long time, we just get on so well… Alexej Manvelov is joy, pure joy, capital J.”
Check out the full cast of Dept. Q series one below:
Matthew Goode as Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck
Kelly Macdonald as Dr. Rachel Irving
Chloe Pirrie as Merritt Lingard
Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim
Leah Byrne as Detective Constable Rose Dickson
Jamie Sives as Detective Chief Inspector James Hardy
Mark Bonnar as Stephen Burns
Kate Dickie as Detective Chief Superintendent Moira Jacobson
Shirley Henderson as Claire Marsh
Tom Bulpett as William Lingard
Catriona Stirling as Detective Constable Wilson
Aron Dochard as Detective Constable Clark
Paul Ellard as Press Photographer
James Macnaughton as Dennis Piper
Alec Newman as Paul Evans
Kim Allan as Chloe Evans
Nolan Willis as Charlie Bell
How many episodes?
Series one is made up of nine episodes, with the second series expected to follow the same format.
What channel is it on?
The drama airs exclusively on Netflix.
Where was it filmed?
Dept.Q is both filmed and set in Scotland, with filming taking place between February and June 2024 at FirstStage Studios in Leith, and various locations across Edinburgh and East Lothian.