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Dept. Q is Netflix's latest addition to its crime thriller catalog. Adapted from Jussi Adler-Olsen's series, this Scott Frank creation has it all: a tortured genius, unexpected humor in a dark premise, and philosophical underpinings about life, death, and the definition of good and evil. Released on May 29, 2025, the series has already gained critical acclaim and love from fans worldwide.
Once a top detective, Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) now heads a new department, the eponymous Dept. Q, in a grim, basement office dealing with cold cases, with his ragtag team of detectives. His reckless track record has done him no favors. A young police officer is dead, and his partner is paralyzed, all thanks to him. As he fights his inner demons, things escalate in his forgotten little department.
For fans of gritty police procedural crime thrillers like Dept. Q, other dramas like Karen Pirie, The Mentalist, and more are a must-watch.
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Karen Pirie, The Mentalist, and other shows for Dept. Q fans
1) Karen Pirie (2022–)
Karen was three when a barmaid was murdered and the investigation was hurriedly closed in 1995. In 2022, Karen (Lauren Lyle) is transferred to the Historic Crimes Unit at Police Scotland to figure out the truth behind the crime. When flaws begin to crack the surface, she must face what lies beneath.
Fans of Dept. Q, looking for other cold case-based murder thrillers set in Scotland, are in for a treat with Karen Pirie. Directed by Gareth Bryn and based on Val McDermid's novels, this three-part series explores the dark underbelly of nightlife in Scotland through the eyes of a quirky and quick-witted young woman.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
2) The Mentalist (2008–2015)
To the outside world, Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) is a flashy psychic with all the right tricks, working for the California Bureau of Investigation and helping them solve murders with his exemplary observation skills. Inside, he is broken, seeking revenge for losing his wife and daughter to a serial killer named "Red John." The show follows him as he works with a tight-knit team of police officials who become his found family.
Carl in Dept. Q and Jane in The Mentalist are both deeply flawed men in law enforcement, blinded by arrogance, battling inner demons, and clumsily hiding it through snark and charm. Fans of Matthew Goode's portrayal of moral ambiguity, combined with a juicy crime thriller, will enjoy Bruno Heller's edge-of-the-seat narrative.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
3) Cold Case (2003–2010)
Detective Lilly Rush (Kathryn Morris) and her team of sharp-shooting detectives work on cold homicide cases for the Philadelphia Police Department, ranging from the recent past to as far as the 1910s in this engaging, emotional, and thrilling series, created by Meredith Stiehm. Starring an ensemble cast including Justin Chambers, Thom Barry, John Finn, and Jeremy Ratchford, the seven-season show is an entertaining watch.
Fans of quintessential crime investigation combined with the intrigue of a case long dead, as in Dept. Q will enjoy a similar, but more dramatic premise in Cold Case. It is one of those shows for which fans can kick back, unwind after a long day, and dive into.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
4) Broadchurch (2013–2017)
Set in a fictional seaside town in Dorset, England, Broadchurch is a crime thriller for the ages. Brooding detective Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and his partner Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Coleman) are shackled with the mammoth task of navigating a media frenzy around an eleven-year-old's murder. Created by Chris Chibnall, the show explores grief, the quest for answers, and ultimately, justice.
Broadchurch's Hardy and Dept. Q's Morck are morally ambiguous men who grapple with the idea of being a good person. They have their guards up and navigate the world of crime with a similar grittiness.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
5) Happy Valley (2014–2023)
Catherine Cawood (Sarah Lancashire) is a police detective with a sordid past. Her daughter ended her own life, leaving behind a son, who is a product of s*xual assault. When the assailant is released from prison, Cawood's life takes a dark turn, as she embarks on an obsessive quest for twisted justice, unaware of the bigger things at play.
Fans of the fast-paced, grim narrative of Dept. Q will enjoy this critically-acclaimed show that will have them watching with bated breath. Created, written, and directed by Sally Wainwright, the show is a must-watch for thriller aficionados. It has won multiple BAFTA Awards for Best Drama Series.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
6) Unforgotten (2015–)
Detective Inspectors Cassie Stuart (Nicola Walker) and Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) work together to solve cold cases and bring murderers to justice. The show dives into one case per season, and tells the disjointed stories of seemingly random people that slowly start coming together, revealing a final piece of the puzzle in the end.
Created by Chris Lang, this crime thriller drama is perfect for Dept. Q fans who like the odd chemistry between Carl, Rose, and Akram.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
7) The Sinner (2017–2021)
Why do criminals do what they do? This question forms the crux of The Sinner, a police procedural crime thriller anthology that follows Detective Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) and his quest to get into the psyche of wrongdoers. Based on Petra Hammesfahr's novel, this anthology series dives into a new case each season.
Dept. Q fans looking for more thrill, more crime, and more darkness will enjoy The Sinner's unique premise and gripping psychological intensity. With Golden Globe and Emmy nominations in its bag, the show has cemented its claim to fame as one of the best crime thrillers in recent past.
Where to watch: Netflix
Fans of Matthew Goode in Dept. Q can also check him out in The Imitation Game, Stoker, and A Discovery of Witches.
