Netflix’sDept. Qis 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 byJussi 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 thetrauma that brought Carl to Dept. Q remains a looming mystery. While the Lingard storyline delivers closure, the questions surrounding the original shootingare never answered, casting a long shadow over Carl’s actions andsetting 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 thatAnderson may have been corruptand could have staged the stabbing at the original crime scene tocover 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 reallytapping 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 theperfect thread to explore in Season 2, and a compelling reasonDept. Qdeserves to continue.
The Shooting Investigation Is the Perfect ‘Dept. Q’ Season 2 Arc
One of the greatest strengths ofDept. Qis how itbalances serialized character dramawith 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 inongoing 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 casewhile 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 wouldonly 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 intoDept. 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 ofDept. Qis rich with potential. Jussi Adler-Olsen’s book series includes multiple haunting and morally complex cases that haven’t yet been adapted. A second seasoncould use Carl’s personal investigation as the backbone, while drawing its main procedural case from the next novel. CreatorScott Frankand star Matthew Goode have already expressedinterest in continuing the storyand exploring more of Carl’s personal life. And with such a strong cast (many of whom were only just introduced), there’splenty of room for growth, deeper friendships, and new conflicts.
Dept. QSeason 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 hasa binge-worthy crime dramawith depth, complexity, and staying power. All it needs now is a green-light.
