Netflix has a weirdly specific talent for taking gritty European "Nordic Noir" and making it even more claustrophobic. Their latest swing at this is the high-stakes adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s novels. If you’ve read the books or seen the original Danish films—the ones with Nikolaj Lie Kaas—you know the vibe is heavy. It’s dark. It's miserable. And frankly, the cast of Department Q on Netflix had some massive shoes to fill because fans of the "cold case" genre are notoriously protective of Carl Mørck.
This isn't a shot-for-shot remake of the Danish cinema versions. Netflix moved the setting to Edinburgh. It’s a bold move. Instead of Copenhagen’s damp streets, we get the craggy, grey architecture of Scotland. It works. Honestly, the atmosphere is so thick you can almost smell the old paper and wet wool.
The Lead: Matthew Goode as Carl Mørck
Matthew Goode is everywhere lately, isn't he? From The Crown to A Discovery of Witches, he’s got that "refined but deeply troubled" thing down to a science. In this version, he plays Carl Mørck.
Carl is a mess.
He’s a detective who has been sidelined after a violent mistake that left his colleagues dead or paralyzed. He’s guilt-ridden, abrasive, and fundamentally dislikes people. Goode plays him with a sort of twitchy, intellectual exhaustion. It’s a departure from the more "bruiser" style of previous iterations, but it fits the Scottish backdrop perfectly. You’ve got to appreciate how he handles the silence. In a show like this, what the lead doesn't say is usually more important than the dialogue.
Meet the Rest of the Team: Assad and Rose
You can't have Department Q without the dynamic that actually makes the basement office function. The cast of Department Q on Netflix rounds out with Alexej Manvelov and Leah McNamara.
✨ Don't miss: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
Manvelov plays Assad. In the books, Assad is the heart of the series, the mysterious assistant who is far more capable than he lets on. Manvelov brings a grounded, observational energy to the role. He’s the foil to Carl’s nihilism. While Carl wants to wallow, Assad wants to solve. Their chemistry is basically the spine of the entire show. If you don't believe in their partnership, the whole thing falls apart. Luckily, they nail it.
Then there's Rose, played by Leah McNamara. You might recognize her from Normal People or The Gentlemen. Rose is the data specialist—the one who can find a needle in a digital haystack. But she isn't just a "tech person." She's got her own baggage. McNamara plays her with a sharp, defensive edge that keeps the two men in check.
Supporting Players You’ll Recognize
- Kelly Macdonald: She plays a high-ranking officer and, let’s be real, anything Kelly Macdonald touches is gold. She brings a certain authority that feels lived-in.
- Jamie Sives: He shows up as a detective who probably wishes Carl would just stay in the basement.
- Chloe Pirrie: Another powerhouse in the Scottish acting scene who adds a layer of complexity to the procedural side of things.
Why the Scottish Setting Matters for This Cast
Edinburgh isn't just a background; it’s a character. The producers, including showrunner Scott Frank (the guy behind The Queen’s Gambit), clearly wanted to lean into the Gothic nature of the city.
The cast had to adapt their performances to this "new" reality. It’s not just about the accents. It’s about the culture of silence in a city that feels very old and full of secrets. When you see the cast of Department Q on Netflix navigating those narrow alleys (closes), it feels right. It feels like the kind of place where a cold case could stay buried for twenty years.
Some people were worried that moving the story out of Denmark would ruin the "Hygge" horror vibe. It didn't. If anything, the Scottish "dourness" is a spiritual sibling to Danish "Nordic Noir."
🔗 Read more: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
The Reality of the "Cold Case" Format
We've seen a million detective shows. Why does this one feel different? It’s the focus on the forgotten. Department Q is essentially a dumping ground for cases the police force wants to go away.
The actors have to play two roles: the investigator and the therapist for the victims' families. There’s a scene early on where Goode has to talk to a mother who hasn't heard anything about her daughter in a decade. The way he shifts from being a jerk to being someone who actually carries the weight of that grief is impressive. It’s why the cast of Department Q on Netflix feels like a "prestige" ensemble rather than just another procedural lineup.
Addressing the Comparison to the Movies
Look, people are going to compare Matthew Goode to Nikolaj Lie Kaas. It’s inevitable. The Danish films are iconic in the genre.
But Goode isn't trying to be Kaas.
His Mørck is more cerebral. He’s less of a "man of action" and more of a man who is being eaten alive by his own brain. Some fans might find it jarring at first. Give it two episodes. The way the team gels—especially the friction between Carl and Rose—builds a different kind of tension that the movies didn't always have time to explore in a two-hour runtime.
💡 You might also like: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
What to Watch Next if You Like the Cast
If you find yourself googling the cast of Department Q on Netflix because you loved the performances, you should probably check out these specific projects from the lead actors:
- Matthew Goode in The Offer: He plays Robert Evans and he’s absolutely electric. It’s a total 180 from his role as Carl.
- Alexej Manvelov in Chernobyl: He has a smaller role, but his intensity is exactly what he brings to the character of Assad.
- Leah McNamara in The Gentlemen: She shows off a much more chaotic, high-energy side compared to the grounded Rose.
Final Practical Takeaway
When you dive into this series, don't expect a fast-paced action thriller. It's a slow burn. The strength lies in the performances and the specific, miserable chemistry of these three people stuck in a basement.
The best way to experience this cast is to pay attention to the background details. The show rewards viewers who notice the small shifts in Assad's expression or the way Rose handles evidence. It’s a masterclass in ensemble acting where nobody is trying to outshine the other.
If you’re looking for your next binge, start with the first episode and pay close attention to the interview scenes. That’s where the cast really shines. Clear your schedule for a weekend, turn the lights down, and get ready for some seriously dark storytelling.
Check the Netflix "More Like This" section after finishing, as it usually pushes you toward The Chestnut Man or Bordertown, which are the perfect tonal companions to this series. Keep an eye out for news on a second season, as the chemistry between Goode and Manvelov is clearly designed to sustain a multi-year run. Enjoy the gloom.