Dept Q Season 2: Release Date, Cast, and Everything We Know

When a bestselling Danish crime series makes the jump to Netflix, you’d expect the setting to stay in Copenhagen. But Scott Frank’s adaptation of Dept. Q pulled a shrewd move: it transplanted the cold case unit to Edinburgh, Scotland, and gave the story a fresh visual identity. Now that a second season has been officially confirmed, there’s plenty to sort out — from the returning cast to when you can expect to watch it.

Seasons ordered: 2 (as of 2025) ·
Platform: Netflix ·
Lead actor: Matthew Goode as Carl Mørck ·
Renewal announced: August 2025

The implication: the show’s foundation is solid — a hit novel series, a proven showrunner, and a greenlit second season.

Here is the key data at a glance:

The pattern: Netflix moved fast on this adaptation, locking a second season within months of the first.

How many seasons are in Department Q?

As of 2025, Netflix has ordered two seasons of Dept. Q. The first season premiered in 2025, and the second was confirmed in August 2025 (official Netflix Tudum announcement).

Season 1 overview

• Premiered: 2025 on Netflix
• Episodes: 8
• Lead: Matthew Goode as Carl Mørck
• Setting: Edinburgh, Scotland

Season 2 status

• Confirmed: Yes, renewed August 2025 (official Netflix Tudum announcement)
• Expected release: 2026
• Episodes: Not yet announced

Is there a season 2 of Department Q coming?

Yes. Netflix officially confirmed the renewal on August 18, 2025 (official Netflix Tudum announcement). Showrunner Scott Frank returns for the second season.

Official Netflix announcement

Netflix’s Tudum platform published the renewal notice, calling the series “Scott Frank’s Dept. Q” and announcing it would return for Season 2. The announcement did not include a release date.

Production timeline

According to What’s on Netflix, filming for season 2 is expected to begin in July 2026 (What’s on Netflix production report). That places a possible premiere in late 2026 or early 2027.

What this means: fans can expect season 2 within the next year, but patience is required.

Who is the cast of Dept. Q Season 2?

Three main cast members are confirmed to return, according to multiple sources.

Returning cast members

• Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Mørck — confirmed by Netflix Tudum (Netflix Tudum series page) and IMDb (IMDb full cast list)
• Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim — reported by What’s on Netflix (What’s on Netflix production report) and IMDb
• Leah Byrne as Rose — reported by What’s on Netflix

Other cast from season 1, including Jamie Sives as James Hardy and Chloe Pirrie as Merritt Lingard, are listed on IMDb but have not been officially confirmed for season 2 (IMDb full cast list). A trailer on Netflix’s YouTube channel also featured Matthew Goode in character (Netflix YouTube trailer).

New additions

No new cast members have been officially announced for season 2 at this time.

The pattern: the core team stays, but season 2 will likely introduce new characters to match the rotating novel cases.

Where did they film Department Q?

The series is set in Edinburgh, Scotland, where season 1 was filmed (official Netflix Tudum announcement).

Season 2 filming plans

What’s on Netflix reports that filming for season 2 is expected to begin in July 2026 (What’s on Netflix production report). The exact filming location for the new season has not been officially confirmed, but the show’s creative team has not indicated a change of setting.

The trade-off: moving the setting to Scotland gave the series a distinct visual identity, but keeping the same location for season 2 isn’t guaranteed.

When will Dept Q season 2 be released on Netflix?

No official release date has been announced. Country & Town House reported that there is currently no news on when season 2 will land on Netflix (Country & Town House culture news).

Expected release window

Based on the production schedule — filming expected in July 2026 — a late 2026 or early 2027 premiere is a reasonable estimate. Netflix typically releases crime dramas within 12-18 months of filming completion.

Factors affecting the date

• Filming start date (July 2026 per What’s on Netflix)
• Post-production for a 8-episode season typically takes 6-9 months
• Netflix’s scheduling for 2026-2027

The catch: without a release date, speculation is all we have, but the one-year gap between renewal and premiere suggests a 2026 window.

Timeline

• 2007–2017: Original Department Q novels published (Danish) (Netflix Tudum adaptation news)
• August 2025: Netflix renews series for season 2 (official Netflix Tudum announcement)
• 2026: Expected release date for season 2 (What’s on Netflix production report)

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Season 2 renewal confirmed by Netflix
• Matthew Goode, Alexej Manvelov, Leah Byrne returning
• Based on Jussi Adler-Olsen novels

What’s unclear

• Exact release date for season 2
• Full plot details
• Number of episodes
• New cast members

What the sources say

Dept. Q has been renewed for a second season.

— Netflix Tudum, August 18, 2025 (official Netflix Tudum announcement)

Matthew Goode is expected to return as Detective Carl Morck in season 2.

— What’s on Netflix (What’s on Netflix production report)

There is no news yet on when Dept. Q season 2 will land on Netflix.

— Country & Town House (Country & Town House culture news)

For Netflix subscribers who binged season 1, the wait for season 2 will test their patience. But with a confirmed renewal, a strong core cast, and the creative firepower of Scott Frank, Dept. Q looks set to deliver another gripping cold case puzzle. The clock is ticking — and for fans of Nordic noir transplanted to Scotland, the next chapter can’t come soon enough.

For the latest on the cast and production schedule, check out Dept Q Season 2 updates.

Frequently asked questions