Dept. Q Season 2: Verified Facts on Cast, Filming, Release

You tore through the eight episodes of Dept. Q on Netflix earlier this year, and now you’re wondering when you’ll get more of Carl Morck’s cold-case team. The good news: Netflix renewed the series for a second season in August 2025, less than three months after the first season premiered. Here’s what we’ve confirmed so far about the cast, filming, and likely release window — and what’s still up in the air.

Season 1 premiere: May 29, 2025 ·
Season 2 renewal: August 18, 2025 ·
Filming location: Edinburgh, Scotland ·
Estimated filming completion: December 2026 ·
Lead actor returning: Matthew Goode as Carl Morck

Seven key details about Dept. Q season 2, from network to renewal date.

Is there a season 2 of Dept. Q?

Official renewal announcement

• Netflix renewed Dept. Q for a second season on August 18, 2025, as reported by lifestyle magazine ELLE.
• The renewal came less than three months after the first season premiered, signaling strong viewership.

Netflix Tudum confirmation

• Netflix’s editorial hub Tudum confirmed the renewal with a feature titled “Dept. Q Is Checking in for Season 2,” written by John DiLillo (Netflix Tudum).
• The article noted that creator Scott Frank would return to direct the second season, according to entertainment news site Collider.

Bottom line: Netflix officially ordered a second season of Dept. Q in August 2025. Fans can expect the same creative team and lead cast to return.

The renewal signals strong confidence from Netflix in the series’ performance.

Is Dept. Q season 2 being filmed?

Filming location confirmed

• Season 2 will be filmed in Edinburgh, Scotland, a change from the first season’s production base (What’s on Netflix).
• Edinburgh is known for its atmospheric architecture, which suits the show’s dark, moody tone.

Production timeline

• Filming is scheduled to begin on July 13, 2026, and run through December 11, 2026 (What’s on Netflix).
• This timeline pushes the expected release well beyond 2026 — likely the second half of 2027 or early 2028 (What’s on Netflix).

The pattern: a longer production cycle often correlates with higher production values and complex post-production.

Who plays Akram in Dept. Q?

Akram character description

• Akram is a member of the Department Q team, working alongside Carl Morck on cold cases.
• In season 1, the character was portrayed as a sharp, resourceful investigator.

Actor details

• Akram is played by Alexej Manvelov, who has been confirmed to return for season 2 (ELLE).
• Manvelov also appeared in the Swedish series Gåsmamman and the film The Last Kingdom.

Bottom line: Alexej Manvelov reprises his role as Akram. His return removes one of the biggest unknowns from the season 2 cast.

The implication: the core team remains intact, preserving the on-screen chemistry that drove season 1.

What is season 2 of Dept. Q about?

Storyline based on Jussi Adler-Olsen novels

• The series is adapted from Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen’s bestselling “Department Q” books (Wikipedia).
• Season 1 loosely followed the first novel, The Keeper of Lost Causes. Season 2 will likely draw from subsequent novels in the series.

Cold case focus

• Each season centers on a single cold case investigation led by Carl Morck and his team.
• Netflix has not released an official synopsis for season 2 (ELLE).

The pattern: expect a fresh mystery rooted in Adler-Olsen’s source material, with the same gritty, procedural tone that made season 1 a hit.

Will Akram be in Dept. Q season 2?

Akram’s role in season 1

• Akram appeared in all eight episodes of season 1 as a core team member.
• The character provided crucial field support to Morck’s investigations.

Return speculation

• Alexej Manvelov’s return is confirmed by both ELLE and What’s on Netflix.
• No official statement suggests any cast cuts — the entire main ensemble is expected back.

The catch: even with multiple sources, no official cast list has been published by Netflix itself.

What can fans expect from the next season of Dept. Q?

Return of lead cast

• Matthew Goode returns as Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck (What’s on Netflix).
• Alexej Manvelov (Akram), Leah Byrne (Rose), and Jamie Sives (Hardy) are all confirmed (ELLE).

Production quality

• Filming in Edinburgh suggests a larger production footprint than season 1, which was shot in Belfast.
• Creator Scott Frank returns to direct, promising continuity in visual style (Collider).

Potential release window

• Given the December 2026 filming end date, a release before late 2027 is extremely unlikely (What’s on Netflix).
• What’s on Netflix estimates the second half of 2027 or early 2028 as the most probable window.

Bottom line: Netflix’s decision to renew and film in Edinburgh means a two-plus-year wait for a season that brings back the full cast.

The implication: patience is required, but the returning talent and new location argue for a compelling follow-up.

Dept. Q season 2 timeline

• May 29, 2025: Season 1 premieres on Netflix (Wikipedia)
• August 18, 2025: Netflix announces renewal for season 2 (ELLE)
• July 13, 2026 (scheduled): Filming begins in Edinburgh, Scotland (What’s on Netflix)
• December 11, 2026 (expected): Filming wraps (What’s on Netflix)
• Late 2027 – early 2028 (estimated): Likely release window (What’s on Netflix)

“Dept. Q Is Checking in for Season 2.”

— John DiLillo, Netflix Tudum

“Production is expected to take place between July and December 2026 in Edinburgh.”

— What’s on Netflix

For Dept. Q fans waiting for the next cold-case fix, the wait will stretch deep into 2027. But the returning cast, the Edinburgh setting, and Scott Frank’s involvement promise a season worth the patience. For Netflix, the challenge will be keeping the buzz alive through a two-year production gap — and delivering a second season that matches the impact of the first.

For the latest verified updates on the cast and filming schedule, check out the detailed breakdown of the Dept. Q season 2 release date.

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