--- title: "Dept. Q: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/dept-q/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/dept-q" critics_score: 69 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Dept. Q (2025): what the critics said Critics' score 69 from 9 reviews: 4 positive, 5 mixed, 0 negative. The reviews lean towards approval of Dept. Q, with praise clustering around Matthew Goode’s grumpy detective, the supporting cast and the central mystery. Most critics find familiar crime-drama ingredients handled with enough confidence to hold attention, even when originality is in short supply. Scott Frank’s storytelling, the ensemble’s chemistry and the Edinburgh setting draw favourable notices, while the stronger reviews value the attention given to character alongside the investigation. Reservations centre on length: several critics find the series overstretched, with a sluggish middle, surplus storylines or too much competing for attention. The spread runs from warm approval to qualified interest, with performances attracting the clearest disagreement. Den of Geek finds the lead abrasive despite praising the cast and humour. NME is a more pronounced dissenter on the acting, finding stiff performances and wooden dialogue that make the characters difficult to care about, though it still acknowledges enough intrigue to sustain attention. ## The i Paper — Emily Baker Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2025. The critic calls Dept. Q one of the best crime dramas Netflix has produced, praising its confident simplicity and Matthew Goode's likeable grumpy detective performance despite familiar Scandi-noir tropes and some superfluous storylines. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/dept-q-review-best-police-procedural-netflix-ever-made-3717539) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Daniel Fienberg Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2025. The review describes the series as a solid, well-crafted procedural with a terrific lead performance from Matthew Goode and a compelling mystery, praising Scott Frank's skill at familiar but effective storytelling. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/dept-q-review-matthew-goode-scott-frank-1236232219/) ## Variety — Aramide Tinubu Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2025. The critic finds the series a riveting, intense neo-noir crime thriller with complex characters and a strong mystery, highlighting Matthew Goode's brilliant performance, while noting it can feel overlong at times. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2025/tv/reviews/dept-q-review-netflix-1236410890/) ## The AV Club — Tim Lowery Rating B-. 29 May 2025. The critic finds promise in the show's ensemble and chemistry but notes it feels less taut and more sentimental than Slow Horses, with strong buddy-cop dynamics. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/dept-q-review-netflix-tv) ## Radio Times — James Hibbs Rating 3/5. 29 May 2025. The review praises the strong ensemble led by a phenomenal Matthew Goode and the authentic Edinburgh setting but criticizes the sluggish pacing over nine episodes that drags in the middle. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/dept-q-review/) ## The Guardian 29 May 2025. This Scotland-based adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Danish crime novels is fantastic, rich TV. The critic praises the character-first approach, sharp script, first-rate performances (especially Matthew Goode as the haunted detective) and the dense, twisty plot. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/may/29/netflix-dept-q-review-this-excellent-detective-drama-is-a-grimy-gothic-treat) ## The Telegraph — Benji Wilson 29 May 2025. Although there’s nothing truly original about this new crime drama starring Matthew Goode, it’s still impressively put together. The critic highlights strong direction by Scott Frank, excellent against-type performance from Goode, and well-cast team of misfits in an Edinburgh-set cold-case unit. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/dept-q-netflix-review/) ## The Times 29 May 2025. The critic describes the Edinburgh-set cop drama as satisfying despite familiar tropes, suggesting Matthew Goode’s detective could become a viewer obsession. The result is compared favourably to a glass of single malt. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/dept-q-review-matthew-goode-z6bqg8x98) ## Collider — Samuel R. Murrian Rating 6/10. 29 May 2025. The critic finds the series an entertaining but overstuffed whodunit with rough edges and a bloated narrative. Goode and Macdonald's performances are singled out as the strongest elements that make it consistently entertaining. [Read the review](https://collider.com/dept-q-netflix-review-matthew-goode/) ## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor Rating 3/5. 29 May 2025. Praises the cast and some humor but criticizes the abrasive lead and generic procedural elements, saying it gets by but doesn't rise above the genre. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/netflix-dept-q-review/) ## Digital Spy — Janet A Leigh Rating 3/5. 29 May 2025. Notes it's overstretched with too much going on but highlights the great cast and entertaining watch overall. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a44169361/dept-q-review-netflix/) ## NME — Rhian Daly Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2025. The series has the makings of a solid crime thriller but is undermined by wooden dialogue and stiff performances that make it difficult to connect with the characters or feel invested in their stories. It delivers enough intrigue to hold attention across its episodes without becoming truly addictive or memorable. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/tv-reviews/dept-q-review-netflix-matthew-goode-mark-bonnar-3865868) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/dept-q.md