Filming for Dept. Q Season 2 begins July 2026. Get the official production timeline and cast details for the hit Netflix detective thriller.
- March 14, 2026
AceShowbiz - Dept. Q quickly became one of Netflix’s standout detective thrillers after its strong debut season. Since its renewal announcement in August 2025, fans have eagerly awaited updates on when the series would return to production. Now, a clear timeline has emerged, confirming that filming for Season 2 will begin in mid-2026.
Production Weekly’s issue 1493, as reported by What's on Netflix, reveals that shooting for Dept. Q Season 2 is scheduled to start on July 13, 2026, in Edinburgh, Scotland. The filming period is expected to run until December 11, 2026. This marks a shift from earlier plans which anticipated a spring start, indicating the production schedule has been solidified and pushed to later in the year.
The news is a significant step forward for the crime drama, which stars Matthew Goode as Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck, the lead investigator of the Dept. Q unit. Alongside Goode, Netflix confirmed the return of key cast members including Alexej Manvelov as Akram, Leah Byrne as Rose, and Jamie Sives as Hardy. The series also benefits from the creative vision of its original director and creator, Scott Frank, who is set to helm Season 2 as well.
The first season of Dept. Q premiered on May 29, 2025, and was met with positive reception for its dark and occasionally grimly humorous approach to the police procedural format. It was praised for a gripping whodunit narrative and a standout performance by Matthew Goode. The supporting cast included notable talents such as Kelly Macdonald, Chloe Pirrie, Mark Bonnar, Shirley Henderson, Kate Dickie, and Steven Miller, all contributing to the show’s atmospheric tension and complex storytelling.
Critics noted that while the series delivered strong performances, some elements—like the character development of Akram, played by Alexej Manvelov—left room for improvement. The script gave limited depth to Akram, often portraying him as quietly helpful with occasional bursts of aggression, rather than fully exploring his backstory or motivations. This aspect was seen as a missed opportunity, suggesting that future seasons might benefit from focusing more tightly on character arcs rather than spreading too thin across multiple plot threads.
The original series is based on the novels by Jussi Adler-Olsen, who has written ten books in the Dept. Q series, providing a wealth of source material for potential adaptation. If Dept. Q continues to attract viewers, Netflix has ample narrative content to draw from, potentially allowing the show to deepen its storytelling and character development in subsequent seasons.
The steady momentum for Dept. Q on Netflix reflects the platform’s growing investment in sophisticated international crime dramas. Its renewal and forthcoming filming schedule underscore the confidence Netflix has in the show’s ability to engage audiences with compelling mysteries and strong performances.
For those who have yet to dive into the series, all episodes of Season 1 are currently available to stream on Netflix. As the production gears up for Season 2, anticipation is building for a return to the dark, suspenseful world of Dept. Q and its dedicated investigative team.
With filming set to span nearly five months in Scotland, viewers can expect a well-crafted continuation of the story when the new season eventually premieres. The return of both the main cast and the showrunner promises consistency in tone and quality, key factors that contributed to the show’s initial success.
In summary, Dept. Q is poised to resume production this summer, with a confirmed filming window from July 13 to December 11, 2026. Fans of the series can look forward to further developments in the story of DCI Carl Morck and his team, brought to life once again by Matthew Goode and the talented ensemble cast.