Alright, let’s talk Dept. Q. If you binged the first season on Netflix like I did, you’re probably losing sleep wondering when we’re getting more of Matthew Goode’s grumpy, chain-smoking Carl Morck and his misfit crew of cold case solvers. That Edinburgh grit, those twisty mysteries—it’s the kind of show that sticks with you. So, what’s the word on Dept. Q Season 2? Any release date clues? Who’s coming back? And what kind of dark, Scottish chaos can we expect? Here’s everything we know so far.
Has Dept. Q Season 2 Been Confirmed?
As of July 2025, Netflix hasn’t given the official thumbs-up for Dept. Q Season 2, but the signs are promising. The show was a global hit, dominating Netflix’s Top 10 charts and earning an 86% from critics and a stellar 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s not just numbers—fans on X are buzzing, with some posts hinting at early talks of filming, though nothing’s set in stone. Netflix even pushed the series for Emmy consideration, which screams confidence in its staying power.
When Could Dept. Q Season 2 Hit Screens?
Trying to guess a release date without Netflix spilling the beans is like solving one of Carl’s cold cases—tricky, but let’s give it a shot. Season 1 took about 15 months from filming (February to June 2024) to hitting screens in May 2025. If Season 2 gets the green light by, say, December 2025, and filming starts early 2026, we could be looking at a summer 2026 drop—maybe June or July.
Who’s Coming Back for Season 2?
If Dept. Q gets a second go, expect the core crew to return, bringing their messy, brilliant dynamic back to that dingy Edinburgh basement. Here’s who’s likely to show up:
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Matthew Goode as Carl Morck, the sarcastic, chain-smoking DCI who’s still wrestling with his demons.
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Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim, the Syrian refugee turned detective with a knack for cracking cases and a past that’s begging for more screen time.
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Leah Byrne as Rose Dickson, the quick-witted DC who keeps the team grounded.
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Jamie Sives as James Hardy, Carl’s partner who’s back on duty after a life-altering injury.
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Kelly Macdonald as Dr. Rachel Irving, Carl’s therapist with a complicated bond that’s ripe for more drama.
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Kate Dickie as DCS Moira Jacobson, the tough-as-nails boss keeping Department Q in line.
Some faces, like Chloe Pirrie’s Merritt Lingard or Mark Bonnar’s Stephen Burns, might not return since their stories wrapped up neatly in Season 1. That said, Pirrie told RadioTimes she’d love to come back if there’s a way to weave her in. Matthew Goode, meanwhile, is all in—chatting with Yahoo UK, he geeked out about exploring Akram’s life as a dad and maybe even turning him into a “Syrian Jason Bourne” with some serious fight skills. Sounds like the cast is as invested as we are.
What’s the Story for Dept. Q Season 2?
So, what’s next for our favorite cold case squad? Season 1 adapted Jussi Adler-Olsen’s The Keeper of Lost Causes, and all signs point to Season 2 tackling the second book, The Absent One (sometimes called Disgrace). The novel dives into a 20-year-old double murder—a brother and sister case where someone’s already behind bars, but Carl smells something off. The trail leads to a secretive witness who’s unhoused and on the run, with some heavy-hitting enemies pulling strings behind the scenes. It’s a dark, twisty tale about privilege and corruption, perfect for the show’s gritty vibe.
Scott Frank told Collider he wants to mix another cold case with a fresh, present-day mystery, keeping that layered storytelling that made Season 1 pop. He also loves how the team ended Season 1 “together in their shitty little basement,” so expect a tighter-knit Department Q this time around. Carl’s personal life could take center stage too—his guilt over the shooting that changed Hardy’s life and left a rookie dead isn’t going anywhere. Plus, that “weird throuple” dynamic at home (Goode’s words, not mine) with Dr. Rachel Irving promises some juicy tension. And let’s not forget Akram—fans are dying to learn more about his daughters and his past, which could add a heartfelt punch to the season.
