The Dept. Q cast features Matthew Goode, Chloe Pirrie and Jamie Sives. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani’s Netflix series. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

Dept. Q takes place in Scotland. When a detective named Carl Morck returns to work after a deadly shooting, he becomes the head officer of a special department. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he researches an unsolved murder case with a former investigator from Syria. Here’s every actor and character in Dept. Q, an adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s novel series.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Sirens’

Dept. Q Cast: Matthew Goode as Carl Morck

Character Profile: A homicide detective. He attends mandatory therapy sessions after surviving an ambush. Carl leads a police department that investigates unsolved murders.

Goode’s Resume: Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias in Watchmen (2009), Charles Stoker in Stoker (2013), Hugh Alexander in The Imitation Game (2014), Matthew Clairmont in A Discovery of Witches (2018-), Robert Evans in The Offer (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Bet’

Dept. Q Cast: Chloe Pirrie as Merritt Lingard

Character Profile: An accomplished prosecutor. She disappears for four years. Merritt gets imprisoned underground and tries to understand her captor’s motivations.

Pirrie’s Resume: Shell in Shell (2012), Alex in Burn Burn Burn (2015), Dahlia in Carnival Row (2019-23), Isabella Knightley in Emma. (2020), Matilda Lafferty in Under the Banner of Heaven (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Ransom Canyon’

Dept. Q Cast: Jamie Sives as James Hardy

Character Profile: Carl’s colleague. He survives an ambush. James struggles with emotional and physical issues while wondering if he’ll ever walk again.

Sives’ Resume: Chiv in Mean Machine (2001), Wilbur in Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002), Gorm — Christian Viking in Valhalla Rising (2009), Aldous’s Mate in London in Get Him to the Greek (2010), Jory Cassel in Game of Thrones (2011)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Pulse’

Dept. Q Cast: Mark Bonnar as Stephen Burns

Character Profile: Merritt’s former supervisor. He is the Lord Advocate who deals with media attention. Stephen gets implicated in a murder investigation.

Bonnar’s Resume: DCC Mike Dryden in Line of Duty (2014), Chris in Catastrophe (2015-19), Max McCall in Guilt (2019-23), Jock Horsfall in Operation Mincemeat (2021), Craig in Last Breath (2025)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Caught’

Dept. Q Cast: Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim

Character Profile: Carl’s colleague. He is a former cop from Syria who seeks a job position in Scotland. Akram provides valuable help to Carl but says little about his past.

Manvelov’s Resume: Peder Rydh in Sthlm Requiem (2018), Garo in Chernobyl (2019), Teddy Maksumic in Top Dog (2020-), Alexei Petrov in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan (2022), Artan in A Day and a Half (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The Residence’

Dept. Q Cast: Leah Byrne as Rose Dickson

Character Profile: Carl’s colleague. She is a detective who tries to prove herself after being demoted. Rose acknowledges her mental health issues from the past.

Byrne’s Resume: Maggie Nickle in Call the Midwife (2019), IVF Nurse in Deadwater Fell (2020), Helen (Crying Girl) in The Last Bus (2021), Sarah in Dog Squad (2022), Woman at the Piano in Nightsleeper (2024)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Adolescence’

Dept. Q Cast: Kate Dickie as Moira Jacobson

Character Profile: Carl’s direct superior. She assigns him to lead a special department for unsolved murders. Moira clashes with colleagues while investigating Merritt’s disappearance.

Dickie’s Resume: Ford in Prometheus (2012), Chrissie in Filth (2013), Queen in The Green Knight (2021), Halldóra the Pict in The Northman (2022), Celia in Matriarch (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Zero Day’

Dept. Q Cast: Shirley Henderson as Claire Marsh/Claire Henderson

Character Profile: A housekeeper. She looks after Merritt’s disabled brother. Claire gets involved in a highly publicized murder investigation.

Henderson’s Resume: Lindsay in 24 Hour Party People (2002), Moaning Myrtle in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), Edythe in Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (2008), Babu Frik in Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Anzellan Crew in The Mandalorian (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Running Point’

Dept. Q Cast: Kelly Macdonald as Rachel Irving

Character Profile: A police therapist. She tries to develop a bond with Carl. Rachel ultimately distances herself from the protagonist for various reasons.

Macdonald’s Resume: Diane in Trainspotting (1996), Mary Maceachran in Gosford Park (2001), Carla Jean Moss in No Country for Old Men (2007), Margaret Thompson in Boardwalk Empire (2010-14), Merida in Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Apple Cider Vinegar’

Dept. Q Cast: Alison Peebles as Female Captor/Ailsa Jennings

Character Profile: A grieving mother. She answers questions from investigators about Merritt’s disappearance. Ailsa hides a dark secret.

Peebles’ Resume: Meg in Seven Lucky Gods (2014), Joan in Where Do We Go from Here? (2015), Mrs. Juniper in Molly and Mack (2018-22), Old Peggy in The Road Dance (2021), Poole in The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘American Primeval’

The Dept. Q cast also includes:

• Steven Miller as Sam Haig/Lyle Jennings
• Aaron McVeigh as Jasper Stewart
• Sanjeev Kohli as Martin Fleming
• Catriona Stirling as DC Wilson
• Aron Dochard as DC Clark
• Bobby Rainsbury as Teenage Merritt
• Tom Bulpett as William Lingard
• Christopher McPhillips as PC Keith Barclay
• Paul Ellard as Press
• Kal Sabir as DCI Logan Bruce
• Patrick Kennedy as Liam Taylor
• Paddy Towers as Teenage William
• James Macnaughton as Dennis Piper
• Angus Yellowlees as PC Anderson
• Gabrielle Monica Hughes as Hardy’s Nurse
• Ellen Bannerman as Kirsty Atkins
• Lily Knight as Caroline Kerr
• Kai Alexander as Teenage Lyle/Lyle Jennings
• Michelle Duncan as Dr. Fiona Wallace

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.