The Netflix star once appeared on Scottish historical fantasy series Outlander.
Eagle-eyed Outlander fans might have spotted one of its stars in Netflix’s brand new series, Department Q. The mystery crime drama has proved a hit with Netflix viewers, quickly climbing the UK chart to secure the number one spot.
Written and directed by The Queen’s Gambit creator Scott Frank, Department Q sees Matthew Goode star in the leading role of DCI Carl Morck, a brash but brilliant detective leading a new cold-case unit in Edinburgh.
The show is based on Afdeling Q, a series of ten Danish Nordic noir crime novels by author Jussi Adler-Olsen. Department Q has a star-studded cast, including Kelly Macdonald, Mark Bonnar and Chloe Pirrie.
Alec Newman also joins the cast as Paul Evans, who is introduced as an avid climber.
While he looks unrecognisable in his latest role, Outlander fans might also remember him for playing Joseph Wemyss in the Starz romance drama. Joseph is the father of Lizzie Wemyss, who is played by Caitlin O’Ryan. Alec’s other roles include Edward Crowther in Protection, Niven Guthrie in Shetland and Michael Byrne in Waterloo Road.
Meanwhile, fans are bound to recognise lead actor Matthew Goode for his previous roles in shows like Downton Abbey, The Crown and A Discovery of Witches. Celebrated actress Kate Dickie, who played Lysa Arryn in the HBO series Game of Thrones, also makes an appearance.
Alexej Manvelov, who portrays Akram in the show, spoke of his excitement about working alongside such a talented cast.
“It was just amazing,” he told Reach in an exclusive interview. “I’m from Sweden and there’s a bit of a different style in Sweden where we’re a bit more process-oriented.
“But just to come in and work on this high of a level of craft of acting. It was amazing and the ensemble is just…
“I mean I’ve been a fan of Kate Dickie’s for ages, since Red Road,” he admitted, referring to his co-star who plays DCS Moira. “So just to have a scene with her, I was like ‘Oh my god’.”
The official Netflix synopsis for Department Q reads: “DCI Carl Morck is a brilliant cop but a terrible colleague. His razor-sharp sarcasm has made him no friends in Edinburgh Police.
“After a shooting that leaves a young PC dead, and his partner paralysed, he finds himself exiled to the basement and the sole member of Dept. Q; a newly formed cold case unit.
“The department is a PR stunt, there to distract the public from the failures of an under-resourced, failing police force that is glad to see the back of him.
“But more by accident than design, Carl starts to build a gang of waifs and strays who have everything to prove.
“So, when the stone-cold trail of a prominent civil servant who disappeared several years ago starts to heat up, Carl is back doing what he does best – rattling cages and refusing to take no for an answer.”