8.1
Where can I stream Dept. Q legally?
Dept. Q is included with a subscription to Netflix in the United States. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.
Dept. Q fingerprint
High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.
Energy
Tense and fast-paced
Fast from start to finish.
- Tension8
- Fast Pace7
- Violence7
Heart
Melancholic and moving
- Melancholy8
- Pathos7
- Catharsis6
Humor
Some sharp wit and dark humor
Not a comedy at heart.
- Wit & Wordplay6
- Dark Humor6
- Cringe Humor4
World
Crime, everyday modern life, and mystery
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
- World Immersion9
- Dialogue Centrality8
- Rewatchability7
Craft
Standout performances, characters, and direction
- Acting9
- Character Depth9
- Intrigue9
Style
Standout cinematography and editing
- Cinematography8
- Editing8
- Music Composition7
Energy
HighTense and fast-paced
Fast from start to finish.
Dept. Q is tense, fast-paced, and violent.
All energy traits
- Tension8Edge-of-your-seat suspense and pressure.
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Violence7Physical conflict and intensity.
- Adrenaline6High-energy, pulse-pounding intensity.
- Scare5Frightening moments and scares.
- Spectacle4Scale and set-piece grandeur.
Related traits
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
Heart
LowMelancholic and moving
Emotionally, it's melancholic and moving.
All heart traits
- Melancholy8Bittersweet, reflective sadness.
- Pathos7Deeply moving, empathetic emotion.
- Catharsis6Emotional release and payoff.
- Family Dynamics6Relationships and generational ties.
- Hopefulness4Optimism and uplifting resolve.
- Nostalgia4Warmth of memory and retro vibes.
- Wholesome3Heartwarming, uplifting feelings.
- Romance2Love stories and emotional connections.
- Wonder2Awe, discovery, and amazement.
- Coming of Age0Personal growth and self-discovery.
Related traits
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Bleakness8Grim, stark outlooks.
Humor
MediumSome sharp wit and dark humor
Not a comedy at heart.
Expect some sharp wit and dark humor.
All humor traits
- Wit & Wordplay6Clever dialogue and verbal humor.
- Dark Humor6Humor from taboo or grim topics.
- Cringe Humor4Awkward, uncomfortable laughs.
- Situational Comedy3Humor from everyday scenarios and setups.
- Satire & Parody3Sharp critique and playful imitation.
- Physical Comedy2Slapstick and visual gags.
- Absurdist Humor2Surreal, nonsensical comedy.
Related traits
- Eccentricity5Oddball tone and quirks.
World
MediumCrime, everyday modern life, and mystery
Lived-in and easy to get lost in.
Its world is built around crime, everyday modern life, and mystery. The setting feels lived-in and easy to get lost in.
All world traits
- World Immersion9Depth and sensory richness of setting.
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
- Rewatchability7Invites repeat viewing.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Ambiguity3Open-endedness and uncertainty.
Related traits
- Crime10Heists, investigation, and underworld.
- Contemporary Realism9Modern, grounded storytelling.
- Mystery9Whodunnits and unraveling secrets.
- Psychological8Inner worlds and mind games.
- Social Commentary7Perspectives on society and norms.
- Politics5Thought-provoking works exploring political themes.
Craft
HighStandout performances, characters, and direction
The performances, characters, and direction stand out.
All craft traits
- Acting9Performance craft and presence.
- Character Depth9Rich, complex characterization.
- Intrigue9Curiosity and investigative pull.
- Direction8Vision and command behind the camera.
- Narrative Structure8Story architecture and form.
- Dialogue Quality8Sharp writing and memorable lines.
- Complexity7Layered plots and ideas.
- Non-linear Narrative4Time-shifts and structure play.
- Meta Narrative0Stories about storytelling.
Related traits
- Fast Pace7Quick tempo and momentum.
- Novelty6Fresh ideas and invention.
- Slow Burn6Gradual build with payoff.
Style
HighStandout cinematography and editing
Look and sound: the cinematography and editing stand out.
All style traits
- Cinematography8Visual composition and camera work.
- Editing8Pacing and structure through cuts.
- Music Composition7Score and musical identity.
- Visual Stylization7Distinctive aesthetic signature.
- Sound Centrality7Sound design as core element.
- Music Centrality6The score or soundtrack shapes the emotional experience.
Related traits
- Dialogue Centrality8Stories driven by conversation.
Who it's for
AdultsFriends NightPartner WatchSolo WatchBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking
Skip it if
You need an uplifting mood
Find more like it
Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.
Episode ratings
| Season | Episode 1 | Episode 2 | Episode 3 | Episode 4 | Episode 5 | Episode 6 | Episode 7 | Episode 8 | Episode 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Episode | |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | |
| Episode 2 | |
| Episode 3 | |
| Episode 4 | |
| Episode 5 | |
| Episode 6 | |
| Episode 7 | |
| Episode 8 | |
| Episode 9 |
About
Not all causes are lost.
A brash but brilliant cop becomes head of a new police department, where he leads an unlikely team of misfits in solving Edinburgh's cold cases.
Nordic NoirGritty Crime ProceduralPsychological TraumaComplex Character StudyAtmospheric MysteryDark and BroodingInvestigative ThrillerSocial RealismIntense ActingCold Case Drama
Actors
Crew
Directed by:
Written by:
Composed by:
Titles like Dept. Q
nearer = more alike
8
You are here: Dept. Q
Tap a poster to move
You are herePreview
vscompared with Dept. Q
Dept. Q2025 · Show
Point at a poster to compare itHold a poster to compare it
This pageTap it to move here
A chip fills to its level. Tap a full one for titles without that trait, a low one for titles with it.
Open a page:Justified: City Primeval (2023)The Lowdown (2025)Pusher 3 (2005)Happy Valley (2014)Ripley's Game (2002)The Tunnel (2013)Ballard (2025)The Breakthrough (2025)Hightown (2020)Chance (2016)Justified (2010)The Keeper of Lost Causes (2013)What Doesn't Kill You (2008)River (2015)Shallow Grave (1994)The Bar (2017)Small Town Crime (2018)Dead Man's Shoes (2004)Law of Tehran (2019)Colors of Evil: Red (2024)Internal Affairs (1990)Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009)The Drop (2014)Cape Fear (1962)Deadwind (2018)The Snow Girl (2023)Tin Star (2017)Paranoid (2016)Task (2025)The Absent One (2014)Fatma (2021)Wentworth (2013)Black Coal, Thin Ice (2014)Apharan (2018)Rampart (2011)Behzat Ç.: An Ankara Policeman (2010)The Outfit (2022)The Stranger (2020)Narc (2002)Polisse (2011)Aarya (2020)Secrets We Keep (2025)The Shield (2002)A Simple Plan (1998)Dublin Murders (2019)HIS & HERS (2026)Big Bad Wolves (2013)Stuck (2007)Kiss of Death (1995)Trapped (2015)Michael Clayton (2007)Queen & Slim (2019)Ugly (2013)The Night of the 12th (2022)The Decline (2020)Jaane Jaan (2023)La Mante (2017)The Fall (2013)Common Wealth (2000)Year of the Dragon (1985)The Good Thief (2003)With a Friend Like Harry... (2000)Murder Mubarak (2024)Agent Kim Reactivated (2026)
Sequels and Prequels
No sequels or prequels available
Media
Questions about Dept. Q
Quick answers from GoodWatch data.
Is Dept. Q worth watching?
79
GreatGoodWatch scoreYes. It's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 80/100 (IMDb 8.1, Rotten Tomatoes 88%, and Metacritic 69). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.
What is Dept. Q rated?
TV-MAViolenceStrong languageDisturbing imageryDrug use
It's rated TV-MA in the United States. Content advisories: violence, strong language, disturbing imagery, and drug use.
How many seasons does Dept. Q have?
2 seasons
It has 2 seasons with 10 episodes of about 45 minutes each and is still in production.
Is Dept. Q based on a true story?
No. It's adapted from a novel.
Do critics and audiences agree on Dept. Q?
Critics79
Audiences82
Yes. Critics average 79 and audiences 82 out of 100, so both groups see Dept. Q much the same way.
When did Dept. Q air?
S1S2
It started in 2025 and is still in production.
What language is Dept. Q in?
English
It was made in English. Produced in United Kingdom, United States.
In how many countries can I watch Dept. Q?
131
+117
+117GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Dept. Q in 131 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.
What tropes does Dept. Q use?
Badass BeardBeware the Nice OnesRed Oni, Blue OniBrief Accent ImitationSir Swears-a-LotGenius CrippleReassignment BackfireThrowing Off the DisabilitySpared by the AdaptationPunk in the TrunkHe Knows Too MuchImpersonating an Officerand 88 more
TV Tropes lists 100 storytelling tropes for Dept. Q, including Badass Beard, Beware the Nice Ones, Red Oni, Blue Oni.