Latest news with #MatthewGoode
Times
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Alexej Manvelov becomes star in Netflix thriller Dept Q
'I am Akram.' Fans of Dept Q, the 'tartan noir' detective thriller that has been one of Netflix's most watched shows since its release last month, will recognise the understated way in which the former Syrian policeman Akram Salim frequently introduces himself. While the lead of the show is Matthew Goode, the Downton Abbey and The Crown actor who plays chaotic detective Carl Morck, the breakout star is Alexej Manvelov, who portrays Salim. Fans have gravitated to the character of relatively few words, propelling Manvelov, 43, to newfound fame in his home city of Stockholm. 'People are calling out 'Akram, Akram!' on the street and stopping me for selfies and to tell me how much they love the character and the show. Previously there has been a fleeting recognition or they think they have have met me before but now people are very excited,' he said. In the show, Salim is a civilian foisted on to Detective Inspector Morck, who initially treats him with disdain before coming to rely increasingly on his partner's support as they seek to solve a cold case missing person mystery in Scotland. Salim's enigmatic nature is accentuated by hints about his mysterious past, in which he was forced to escape Syria after working for its police force. Manvelov, who was born in Moscow to a Russian mother and a Syrian father of Kurdish descent, drew on his own family's experience to inform the role. 'My father had to flee [Syria] because he got shot when he was young. His mother told him that he had to leave but I don't know the whole story because he has never really talked about it,' he said. His father went on to study to become a translator in the Soviet Union and was gratified that Manvelov learnt Arabic as part of his preparation for the show. The Arabic phrases in the script did not make the final cut but Manvelov said that learning the language helped to make his accent more authentic. He also drew on his father's older brother for further inspiration. 'My uncle was a paediatric doctor and was very calm, very soothing and never rushed his speech,' he said. 'And he dressed exactly like Akram.' Manvelov said that the character has been so well received because his 'cool, mysteriousness' has resonated with viewers. 'We all want an Akram in our lives. He's a stable pillar in a chaotic context,' said Manvelov. 'He's quiet but he's really capable and is reassuring to the others because they know that they can count on him. Plus he has a lot of cool lines.' Along with some deadpan quips, Salim's reliability is underscored by the way in which he disables several villains throughout the nine-part series. • Dept. Q review — Matthew Goode's detective might be your next TV obsession Rather than always relying on a double, Manvelov did his own stunts for a couple of the sequences. Rob Bullock, the executive producer of Dept Q, said that there was 'no doubt' that Manvelov was one of the show's successes and that he had proved particularly popular with viewers of Middle Eastern descent. 'I hadn't fully appreciated that would be the case when we were making the show,' Bullock said. 'But that community have really loved seeing such a positive representation on screen. The fact that Akram was allowed to be a hero has been really important and significant.' The show, described as 'your next TV obsession' by The Times, was created by The Queen's Gambit's Scott Frank and based on a book series by the Danish writer Jussi Adler-Olsen. Producers are still waiting to hear whether Netflix will commission a second series.
Wales Online
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
I binge watched Netflix's new crime drama and here's why you should too
I binge watched Netflix's new crime drama and here's why you should too Netflix's new crime drama, Dept. Q, is a thrilling watch, and it looks like mystery fans agree with me Matthew Goode plays the sarcastic male lead Carl Morck. (Image: Netflix ) With an excellent 86% rating on fan and critic review site Rotten Tomatoes, it is clear that a large proportion of people agree with me, when I say that Netflix's new crime drama Dept. Q is a thrilling watch. Set in Edinburgh, sarcastic Detective Chief Inspector Carl Morck played by Matthew Goode, has been assigned to a newly formed cold case unit, which is essentially a big PR stunt to make the police force look better. Following a traumatic incident that left him shot in the neck, his policing partner paralysed and a young PC dead, Carl must navigate his new life with trauma. He joins forces with a team of underdogs, mysterious Akram (Alexej Manvelov) who slowly reveals more about his life in Syria and DC Rose Dickson (Leah Byrne) who is battling with an alphabet of conditions including PTSD, OCD and ADHD. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . They decided that the first cold case they would tackle in the new department would be the disappearance of a prominent civil servant who vanished several years previously. Article continues below Despite not knowing what truly happened in the lead up to the event, or if she was even still alive four years after being abducted, they put all their energy into the investigation. Described by The Guardian as a "g rimy, gothic treat" the grey background of a rainy Scotland is the perfect accompaniment for some tragic crimes. Not only that, but the dryness of the Scottish sense of humour makes for a funny watch which contrasts the darkness of the show's plot. This is done in part by the script and by it's cast. Chloe Pirrie plays solicitor, Merritt Lingard (Image: Netflix ) Matthew and Alexej's characters are a perfect balance of chaos and calm, as we see their unconventional partnership develop through the course of the series. The DCI has past trauma and guilt from his previous partner's accident and as a result struggles to let people in. Matthew plays the character extremely well as we can see how he becomes more comfortable allowing his team to assist in the case. Chloe Pirrie plays Merritt Lingard, a hard solicitor who we slowly learn more about, including why she has such a tough exterior. The detectives delve into her tragic upbringing across the water, and her relationship with her family. With twists and turns around every corner, you feel truly immersed in the drama and the mystery of the show. You almost find yourself trying to solve the crimes and figure out what's happened as all of the new evidence comes in. Dept. Q has you gripped from the very first episode, which is good for those who are looking for a new crime drama, although it's not too good for those of us who don't want to interfere with our sleeping patterns. The series is set across nine episodes, each of which is roughly an hour long, which means if you start binging it late in the day you stay up way past your bedtime. So keep that in mind, and binge-watch sensibly. The crime fighting duo, Carl and Akram, are a great balance of sarcasm and calm (Image: Netflix ) Dept. Q is based on a series of books by Danish writer Jussi Adler-Olsen, so hopefully that means that the platform will adapt further books and continue the series. Knowing it was a book series makes a lot of sense really, as you're watching you can picture it being written and the Scandi Noir elements drawn in from its Danish writer. Despite not yet being renewed for a second season, Netflix is rumoured to have submitted Dept. Q for Best Drama Series at the Emmy Television Awards. Forbes has highly suggested, "that if Netflix is submitting this series for Emmy consideration, it thinks the show is high-quality, and that is a clear indication of a second season renewal." For now, if they want to get their Scottish crime drama fix, fans of the show will have to re-watch the series. For those of you who are yet to watch Dept. Q, what are you waiting for? Grab a can of IrnBru and get Netflix on the telly, you've got nine hours of intense Scottish detective work to watch. Article continues below
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Dept. Q Season 2 Release Date, Story, and Everything We Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Dept. Q is on track for a second season. In this article, we're sharing everything we know about it, including plot details, returning characters, and the possible release date. The crime drama, which is exclusive to Netflix, debuted 29 May. It stars Matthew Goode as Carl Morck, a disillusioned detective in Scotland tasked with tracking down a woman who's been missing for four years. If that wasn't enough, Morck has to deal with the trauma from a shooting that paralyses his partner and leaves a rookie cop dead. The series' title comes from his newly established Department Q, an underfunded division established to sift through cold cases. Matthew Goode stars in Dept. Q Matthew Goode stars in Dept. Q Netflix So, has Dept. Q Season 2 been greenlit, and if so, when will it be coming out? Read on for the full details. Will There Be a Dept. Q Season 2? No, Dept. Q has not been officially confirmed. However, it's a near certainty. For starters, showrunner Scott Frank has gone on record as saying he wants to do more. "I've got a great idea for a second season," Frank tells Collider. "It is another cold case and also a current case, at the same time, that they're looking into. So, I would do that." That suggests talks regarding the show's future are happening behind closed doors. It's likely Dept Q. Season 2 is currently in pre-production. There's also the fact Netflix submitted Dept. Q for Emmy consideration. Streamers don't do that unless they are supremely confident in their product. While it's up against equally prestigious shows in The Pitt, Severance, Andor, and The White Lotus, even being mentioned in the same breath is a huge badge of honor. Finally, the show is based on a bestselling book series by Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen. That means there are more stories to tell. Dept. Q season 2 Release date There is no release date yet for Dept. Q Season 2. However, all signs suggest Netflix is currently working on it in secret. So, when can we expect it to drop? Realistically, Dept Q. Season 2 looks set to release in mid-2026 at the earliest. That leaves time to write the script and shoot in 2025, then enter into post-production in early 2026. Netflix managed to make and release the first season in just over a year. Filming kicked off in February 2024, and the nine-episode series premiered 15 months later in May 2025. Dept. Q Reviews Dept Q. received hugely favourable reviews. It's currently got a 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 86% critic score. It's also got strong international appeal, being based on a Nordic noir series. With possible awards on the way, everything points to a second season of Dept Q. Dept Q. Season 2 Story Dept Q. Season 2 will likely adapt the second novel in Adler-Olsen's series, The Absent One. It centres on an elite boarding school hiding some dark secrets, with a disturbing double murder for the detectives to unravel.
Elle
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
If You Loved Matthew Goode And Kelly Macdonald From 'Dept. Q', Here's Where Else You Can Watch The Cast On TV Now
Dept. Q, the TV adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen's bestselling novel has already amassed a cult following, and it's no wonder – since its premiere on May 29, it has consistently held a spot in Netflix's top three TV shows. With the potential of a premiere of season two still a long while away, you might have found yourself missing the performances from lead actors Matthew Goode, Kelly Macdonald, Chloe Pirrie and more as well as the strong supporting cast. From psychological thrillers to crime dramas, many of these actors have appeared in other standout crime thrillers on both the big and small screen. Here, we break down some of the best films and series they've starred in—perfect for fans of Dept. Q, dark mysteries, and the cast members themselves... Ordeal by Innocence follows a man who returns to clear his name after being accused of a murder that he did not commit. The ordeal sees his wealthy adoptive family being thrown into the chaos as buried secrets begin to surface. Matthew Goode stars as Philip Durrant, a paralysed former pilot whose sharp tongue and substance abuse masks his inner turmoil. When a whistleblower leaks highly confidential information that uncovers an illegal NSA operation to sway support for the Iraq War, she puts her life and freedom in jeopardy. Matthew Goode plays Peter Beaumont, a journalist with strong morals who helps break the explosive story. Stoker sees a teenage girl become more and more disturbed after the sudden arrival of her mysterious uncle, shortly after the death of her father. As hidden family secrets begin to surface, so does the threat of danger. Matthew Goode stars as Uncle Charlie, a mysterious and unsettling figure with a dangerous agenda. A grieving mother publicly accuses a man of murdering her child years earlier, which brings about a tense legal battle that prompts questions of morality, justice, revenge, and identity. Kelly Macdonald plays Anna Dean, the distraught mother at the heart of the trial. Based on a true story, a group of ageing criminals plan and execute one of the largest heists in British history by breaking into a high-security vault over a holiday weekend. Matthew Goode plays the Guv'nor, the evasive and calculated mastermind behind the operation When a hunter finds drug money in the American desert, he unintentionally sets off a deadly chain of events involving a ruthless killer and a worn out sheriff who must confront a changing world. Kelly Macdonald plays Carla Jean Moss, the innocent and tragic wife of the fugitive, caught in the violent aftermath of his choices. A discreet police unit must investigate corruption within their own law enforcement, which causes deep and dangerous conspiracies to surface as trust breaks down within the ranks. In season six, Kelly Macdonald plays DCI Joanne Davidson, a senior officer whose loyalties and secrets raise serious suspicion about her character. Jack Ryan follows a CIA analyst who suddenly finds himself thrust into dangerous field assignments, uncovering global conspiracies and threats. Alexej Manvelov plays Alexei Petrov, a Russian operative who is caught up in the complex web of international espionage. When a CCTV operator stumbles across footage of a man from her past, she embarks on a journey of revenge and redemption. Kate Dickie plays Jackie Morrison, the protagonist confronting her past.
The National
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Who is Alexej Manvelov, Netflix hit Dept Q's Kurdish actor who plays a former Syrian policeman?
British crime thriller Dept Q is Netflix's latest hit, centred on a brash detective who leads a team of misfits in a new cold-case unit in the Scottish police force. The show, which had its premiere on May 29, has spent two weeks on Netflix's Top 10 English shows list, garnering more than 8.9 million viewers. It's currently the second most-watched English series worldwide. One of the show's breakout characters is Akram Salim, played by Swedish-Kurdish actor Alexej Manvelov. Akram is a former Syrian policeman forced to flee his home country and work in IT, but he ingratiates himself with the new department becoming one of its lead investigators. What is Dept Q about? Set in Edinburgh, Dept Q follows the cantankerous and sarcastic Carl Morck (Matthew Goode), a top-notch English detective who returns to work following a shooting incident that led to the death of a police officer, with his investigative partner being permanently paralysed. Racked with guilt, Carl is chosen to head the Scottish police force's cold-case unit, Department Q, which is formed more as a PR exercise than anything else. But as Carl and his team sink their teeth into one case, about the disappearance of a lawyer who handled high-profile cases, dark secrets emerge involving some very powerful people. Dept Q is written by Chandni Lakhani and Scott Frank; the latter is best known for writing and directing another Netflix hit Queen's Gambit. It's based on the book series Department Q, by Danish writer Jussi Adler-Olsen. Who is Alexej Manvelov who plays Akram Salim? A soft-spoken cop with deadly combative skills, Akram is introduced as the Scottish police force's IT guy, who's itching to prove himself. As the nine-part series progresses, it is revealed he's a former Syrian police officer who fled his country and is now living in Scotland as a refugee. Akram quickly proves himself as an able partner to detective Carl, not least due to their tragic backgrounds – Akram escaping the horrors of working under a ruthless dictator, and Carl living with the consequences of the shooting incident that haunts him every day. Manvelov, 43, was born to a Kurdish father from Syria and a Russian mother. He grew up in Sweden where he pursued his dream of becoming an actor. He has appeared in a number of Swedish shows with his breakout role being the Swedish thriller A Day and a Half, about a man who, desperate to reunite with his daughter, takes his ex-wife and a policeman hostage. The film was written and directed by Swedish-Lebanese actor Fares Fares, who played Manvelov's role in a Danish film adaptation of Department Q called The Keeper of Lost Causes. Manvelov has also appeared in the HBO miniseries Chernobyl and season three of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan on Prime Video. Who else is on the show? Besides Goode and Manvelov, Department Q is made up of James Hardy (Jamie Sives), detective Carl's former colleague who is now a paraplegic, and who finds new purpose by helping out the department with their cases. Leah Byrne plays detective constable Rose Dickson, a young woman with a troubled past now looking for a chance to prove herself, while Kate Dickie plays detective chief superintendent Moira Jacobson, detective Carl's commanding officer. Chloe Pirrie is Merritt Lingard an ambitious prosecutor whose unsolved disappearance is being investigated. 'Scott assembled one of the finest casts I've ever gotten to work with,' Goode said. 'It's just an incredible playpen for an actor. Leah Byrne is a stone-cold star. I felt like I've known Jamie Sives for a long time, we just get on so well. Alexej is joy, pure joy, capital J.'
