If you want a crime drama that treats its mystery as more than a puzzle, Dept. Q is available in Australia on Netflix, and in the US on Netflix right now. 2 seasons in, and the quality has not slipped. Its 8/10 TMDB score, built from 439 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Matthew Goode anchors it, but the writing does the real work. Put it on tonight on Netflix and see for yourself.

There is a reason Dept. Q keeps coming up in conversation. At its heart, Dept. Q understands what makes crime drama work — character first, plot second. A brash but brilliant cop becomes head of a new police department, where he leads an unlikely team of misfits in solving Edinburgh's cold cases. The writing gets a boost from Matthew Goode and Chloe Pirrie, who sell every scene they're in. The series ran for 2 seasons from 2025, building a story that gave its audience time to invest properly. The plot mechanics of Dept. Q never overwhelm the human cost underneath them. The hit rate here is high enough that skipping ahead never feels like an option.

For anyone who wants their crime drama to earn its twists, Dept. Q delivers. The tonal similarities to Criminal Record are real, though Dept. Q carves out its own identity quickly. It is a manageable watch, easy to fit into a single week. Matthew Goode carries scenes that would sink a lesser production. The resolution feels inevitable rather than arbitrary, which is rarer than it sounds.

Dept. Q is currently airing new episodes, created by Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani — so there's no better time to catch up before the story moves forward. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.