Department Q
Updated: 12/10/2025, 5:21:20 PM Wikipedia source
Department Q (Danish: Afdeling Q) is a series of ten Danish Nordic noir crime novels by author Jussi Adler-Olsen which have been adapted in an ongoing series of highly successful Danish films and a Scottish television adaptation for Netflix.
Infobox
Author
Jussi Adler-Olsen
Original title
Danish: Afdeling Q
Country
Denmark
Language
Danish language
Genre
Nordic noir
No. of books
10
Tables
· Novels
| Novel | Original title | Year | Film adaptation | Year |
| Mercy [da; de] | Kvinden i buret | 20072011 (USA & UK) | The Keeper of Lost Causes | 2013 |
| Disgrace [da; de] | Fasandræberne | 20082012 (USA & UK) | The Absent One | 2014 |
| Redemption [da; de] | Flaskepost fra P | 20092013 (USA & UK) | A Conspiracy of Faith | 2016 |
| Guilty [da; de] | Journal 64 | 20102013 (USA)2014 (UK) | The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv] | 2018 |
| Buried [da; de] | Marco Effekten | 20122014 (USA & UK) | The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv] | 2021 |
| The Hanging Girl [da] | Den Grænseløse | 20142015 (USA & UK) | Boundless [da; sv] | 2024 |
| The Scarred Woman [da] | Selfies | 20162017 (USA & UK) | ||
| Victim 2117 [da] | Offer 2117 | 20192020 (USA & UK) | ||
| The Shadow Murders [da] | Natrium Chlorid | 20212022 (USA & UK) | ||
| Locked In | Syv m2 med Lås | 20212022 (USA & UK) | ||
· Adaptations › Cast and characters
The Keeper of Lost Causes
The Keeper of Lost Causes
Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧)
The Keeper of Lost Causes
Films
The Absent One
Films
A Conspiracy of Faith
Films
The Purity of Vengeance
Films
The Marco Effect
Films
Boundless
Films
The Scarred Woman
Films
Victim 2117
Films
The Shadow Murders
Films
Locked In
Films
Dead Souls Don't Sing
Films
Dept. Q
2013
2013
Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧)
2013
Films
2014
Films
2016
Films
2018
Films
2021
Films
2024
Films
2026
Films
2028
Films
2030
Films
2032
Films
2034
Films
2025
Carl MørckCarl Morck
Carl MørckCarl Morck
Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧)
Carl MørckCarl Morck
Films
Nikolaj Lie Kaas
Films
Ulrich Thomsen
Films
Matthew Goode
Hafez el-AssadAkram Salim
Hafez el-AssadAkram Salim
Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧)
Hafez el-AssadAkram Salim
Films
Fares Fares
Films
Zaki Youssef
Films
Afshin Firouzi [da]
Films
Alexej Manvelov
Rose KnudsenRose Dickson
Rose KnudsenRose Dickson
Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧)
Rose KnudsenRose Dickson
Films
Johanne Louise Schmidt
Films
Sofie Torp
Films
Leah Byrne
Gordon
Gordon
Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧)
Gordon
Films
Mads Reuther
Films
TBA
Marcus JacobsenMoira Jacobson
Marcus JacobsenMoira Jacobson
Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧)
Marcus JacobsenMoira Jacobson
Films
Søren Pilmark
Films
Henrik Noél†
Films
Kate Dickie
Hardy HenningsenJames Hardy
Hardy HenningsenJames Hardy
Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧)
Hardy HenningsenJames Hardy
Films
Troels Lyby
Films
Thomas W. Gabrielsson
Films
Jamie Sives
Mona IbsenRachel Irving
Mona IbsenRachel Irving
Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧)
Mona IbsenRachel Irving
Films
Lisa Carlehed
Films
Kelly Macdonald
Merete LynggaardMerritt Lingard
Merete LynggaardMerritt Lingard
Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧)
Merete LynggaardMerritt Lingard
Films
Sonja Richter
Films
Chloe Pirrie
| Character(🇩🇰/🇬🇧) | Films | Series | ||||||||||
| The Keeper of Lost Causes | The Absent One | A Conspiracy of Faith | The Purity of Vengeance | The Marco Effect | Boundless | The Scarred Woman | Victim 2117 | The Shadow Murders | Locked In | Dead Souls Don't Sing | Dept. Q | |
| 2013 | 2014 | 2016 | 2018 | 2021 | 2024 | 2026 | 2028 | 2030 | 2032 | 2034 | 2025 | |
| Carl MørckCarl Morck | Nikolaj Lie Kaas | Ulrich Thomsen | Matthew Goode | |||||||||
| Hafez el-AssadAkram Salim | Fares Fares | Zaki Youssef | Afshin Firouzi [da] | Alexej Manvelov | ||||||||
| Rose KnudsenRose Dickson | Johanne Louise Schmidt | Sofie Torp | Leah Byrne | |||||||||
| Gordon | Mads Reuther | TBA | ||||||||||
| Marcus JacobsenMoira Jacobson | Søren Pilmark | Henrik Noél† | Kate Dickie | |||||||||
| Hardy HenningsenJames Hardy | Troels Lyby | Thomas W. Gabrielsson | Jamie Sives | |||||||||
| Mona IbsenRachel Irving | Lisa Carlehed | Kelly Macdonald | ||||||||||
| Merete LynggaardMerritt Lingard | Sonja Richter | Chloe Pirrie | ||||||||||
· Adaptations › Crew
Director
Director
Film
Director
The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013)
Mikkel Nørgaard [da; no]
The Absent One(2014)
Hans Petter Moland
A Conspiracy of Faith(2016)
Christoffer Boe
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv](2018)
Martin Zandvliet
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv](2021)
Ole Christian Madsen
Producer(s)
Producer(s)
Film
Producer(s)
The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013)
Peter Aalbæk JensenLouise Vesth
The Absent One(2014)
Mikael Rieks [da]
A Conspiracy of Faith(2016)
Mikael Rieks [da]Malene Blenkov
Screenwriter(s)
Screenwriter(s)
Film
Screenwriter(s)
The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013)
Nikolaj Arcel
The Absent One(2014)
Nikolaj ArcelRasmus Heisterberg
A Conspiracy of Faith(2016)
Nikolaj Arcel
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv](2018)
Nikolaj ArcelBo Hr. Hansen [da]Mikkel Nørgaard [da; no]
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv](2021)
Anders AugustThomas Porsager
Boundless [da; sv](2024)
Jakob Weis
Composer(s)
Composer(s)
Film
Composer(s)
The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013)
Patrik AndrénUno HelmerssonJohan Söderqvist
The Absent One(2014)
Nicklas Schmidt [da; de]
A Conspiracy of Faith(2016)
Mikkel MalthaAnthony Lledo
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv](2018)
Sune Martin
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv](2021)
Jonas Struck [da; de]Lasse Ziegler
Cinematographer
Cinematographer
Film
Cinematographer
The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013)
Eric Kress
The Absent One(2014)
John Andreas Andersen
A Conspiracy of Faith(2016)
Jacob Møller
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv](2018)
Aske Foss
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv](2021)
Jørgen Johansson [da]
Editor(s)
Editor(s)
Film
Editor(s)
The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013)
Morten EgholmMartin Schade
The Absent One(2014)
Olivier Bugge Coutté [no]Nicolaj Monberg
A Conspiracy of Faith(2016)
Janus Billeskov Jansen [da; ar; arz; de; fr; sv]My Thordal
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv](2018)
Per K. KirkegaardPer Sandholt
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv](2021)
Frederik StrunkNicolaj Monberg
Production company
Production company
Film
Production company
The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013)
Zentropa
The Absent One(2014)
Nordisk Film
Distribution
Distribution
Film
Distribution
The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013)
Nordisk Film
Runtime
Runtime
Film
Runtime
The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013)
96 minutes
The Absent One(2014)
119 minutes
A Conspiracy of Faith(2016)
112 minutes
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv](2018)
119 minutes
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv](2021)
125 minutes
Boundless [da; sv](2024)
126 minutes
Release date
Release date
Film
Release date
The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013)
October 3, 2013
The Absent One(2014)
October 2, 2014
A Conspiracy of Faith(2016)
March 3, 2016
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv](2018)
October 4, 2018
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv](2021)
May 27, 2021
Boundless [da; sv](2024)
February 1, 2024
| Film | The Keeper of Lost Causes(2013) | The Absent One(2014) | A Conspiracy of Faith(2016) | The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv](2018) | The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv](2021) | Boundless [da; sv](2024) |
| Director | Mikkel Nørgaard [da; no] | Hans Petter Moland | Christoffer Boe | Martin Zandvliet | Ole Christian Madsen | |
| Producer(s) | Peter Aalbæk JensenLouise Vesth | Mikael Rieks [da] | Mikael Rieks [da]Malene Blenkov | |||
| Screenwriter(s) | Nikolaj Arcel | Nikolaj ArcelRasmus Heisterberg | Nikolaj Arcel | Nikolaj ArcelBo Hr. Hansen [da]Mikkel Nørgaard [da; no] | Anders AugustThomas Porsager | Jakob Weis |
| Composer(s) | Patrik AndrénUno HelmerssonJohan Söderqvist | Nicklas Schmidt [da; de] | Mikkel MalthaAnthony Lledo | Sune Martin | Jonas Struck [da; de]Lasse Ziegler | |
| Cinematographer | Eric Kress | John Andreas Andersen | Jacob Møller | Aske Foss | Jørgen Johansson [da] | |
| Editor(s) | Morten EgholmMartin Schade | Olivier Bugge Coutté [no]Nicolaj Monberg | Janus Billeskov Jansen [da; ar; arz; de; fr; sv]My Thordal | Per K. KirkegaardPer Sandholt | Frederik StrunkNicolaj Monberg | |
| Production company | Zentropa | Nordisk Film | ||||
| Distribution | Nordisk Film | |||||
| Runtime | 96 minutes | 119 minutes | 112 minutes | 119 minutes | 125 minutes | 126 minutes |
| Release date | October 3, 2013 | October 2, 2014 | March 3, 2016 | October 4, 2018 | May 27, 2021 | February 1, 2024 |
· Adaptations › Reception › Box office performance
#5
#5
Film
The Keeper of Lost Causes
Release date
October 3, 2013
Box office gross (Denmark)
DKK 59,010,000
Attendance (Denmark)
721,256
Box office ranking (Danish films)
#5
Budget
€5,000,000
#2
#2
Film
The Absent One
Release date
October 2, 2014
Box office gross (Denmark)
DKK 68,100,000
Attendance (Denmark)
764,002
Box office ranking (Danish films)
#2
Budget
€5,200,000
#4
#4
Film
A Conspiracy of Faith
Release date
March 3, 2016
Box office gross (Denmark)
DKK 64,300,000
Attendance (Denmark)
704,971
Box office ranking (Danish films)
#4
Budget
€5,300,000
#1
#1
Film
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv]
Release date
October 4, 2018
Box office gross (Denmark)
DKK 72,500,000
Attendance (Denmark)
765,111
Box office ranking (Danish films)
#1
Budget
€5,200,000
N/A
N/A
Film
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv]
Release date
May 27, 2021
Box office gross (Denmark)
DKK 23,300,000
Attendance (Denmark)
225,243
Box office ranking (Danish films)
N/A
Budget
€7,400,000
TBA
TBA
Film
Boundless [da; sv]
Release date
February 1, 2024
Box office gross (Denmark)
TBA
Attendance (Denmark)
301,800
Box office ranking (Danish films)
TBA
Budget
€6,900,000
€35,000,000
€35,000,000
Film
Total
Release date
DKK 287,210,000
Box office gross (Denmark)
3,482,383
Box office ranking (Danish films)
€35,000,000
€5,830,000
€5,830,000
Film
Average
Release date
DKK 57,442,000
Box office gross (Denmark)
580,397
Box office ranking (Danish films)
€5,830,000
| Film | Release date | Box office gross (Denmark) | Attendance (Denmark) | Box office ranking (Danish films) | Budget |
| The Keeper of Lost Causes | October 3, 2013 | DKK 59,010,000 | 721,256 | | €5,000,000 |
| The Absent One | October 2, 2014 | DKK 68,100,000 | 764,002 | | €5,200,000 |
| A Conspiracy of Faith | March 3, 2016 | DKK 64,300,000 | 704,971 | | €5,300,000 |
| The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv] | October 4, 2018 | DKK 72,500,000 | 765,111 | | €5,200,000 |
| The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv] | May 27, 2021 | DKK 23,300,000 | 225,243 | N/A | €7,400,000 |
| Boundless [da; sv] | February 1, 2024 | TBA | 301,800 | TBA | €6,900,000 |
| Total | DKK 287,210,000 | 3,482,383 | €35,000,000 | ||
| Average | DKK 57,442,000 | 580,397 | €5,830,000 | ||
· Adaptations › Reception › Critical response
The Keeper of Lost Causes
The Keeper of Lost Causes
Film
The Keeper of Lost Causes
Rotten Tomatoes
71% (28 reviews)
Metacritic
62 (8 reviews)
Kino.dk
4.2/6 (7 reviews)
The Absent One
The Absent One
Film
The Absent One
Rotten Tomatoes
92% (12 reviews)
Metacritic
61 (6 reviews)
Kino.dk
3.5/6 (7 reviews)
A Conspiracy of Faith
A Conspiracy of Faith
Film
A Conspiracy of Faith
Rotten Tomatoes
100% (6 reviews)
Metacritic
75 (3 reviews)
Kino.dk
3.7/6 (7 reviews)
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv]
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv]
Film
The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv]
Rotten Tomatoes
66% (3 reviews)
Metacritic
N/A
Kino.dk
4/6 (7 reviews)
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv]
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv]
Film
The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv]
Rotten Tomatoes
N/A
Metacritic
N/A
Kino.dk
3.5/6 (8 reviews)
Boundless [da; sv]
Boundless [da; sv]
Film
Boundless [da; sv]
Rotten Tomatoes
N/A
Metacritic
N/A
Kino.dk
4/6 (7 reviews)
| Film | Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | Kino.dk |
| The Keeper of Lost Causes | 71% (28 reviews) | 62 (8 reviews) | reviews) |
| The Absent One | 92% (12 reviews) | 61 (6 reviews) | reviews) |
| A Conspiracy of Faith | 100% (6 reviews) | 75 (3 reviews) | reviews) |
| The Purity of Vengeance [da; ca; cy; de; es; fa; fr; it; ko; no; sv] | 66% (3 reviews) | N/A | 4/6 (7 reviews) |
| The Marco Effect [da; ca; cy; de; fr; sv] | N/A | N/A | reviews) |
| Boundless [da; sv] | N/A | N/A | 4/6 (7 reviews) |
References
- "Department Q books in order"https://www.deadgoodbooks.co.uk/department-q-books-in-order/
- "The Keeper of Lost Causes > Editions"https://www.goodreads.com/work/editions/7211561-kvinden-i-buret
- "Il film New Department Q The Marco Effect in pre-produzione"https://cineuropa.org/it/newsdetail/373718/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2022/film/global/trustnordisk-boundless-ole-christian-madsen-1235349755/
- Cineuropahttps://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/431036/
- "Eksklusivt: Her Er Premieredatoerne For De 4 Nye Afdeling Q-Film"https://www.kino.dk/nyheder/2019/10/eksklusivt-her-er-premieredatoerne-de-4-nye-afdeling-q-film
- "Bekræftet: 6 Film På Vej Med Jussi Adler-Olsens 'Afdeling Q'"https://www.kino.dk/nyheder/2020/11/bekraeftet-6-film-paa-vej-med-jussi-adler-olsens-afdeling-q
- "Derfor Blev Carl Mørck Skiftet Ud Til 'Marco Effekten'"https://www.kino.dk/nyheder/2021/05/derfor-blev-carl-moerck-skiftet-ud-til-marco-effekten
- cphost.dkhttps://cphpost.dk/2023-04-27/news/wee-jauntie-for-jussi-netflix-to-set-department-q-tv-series-in-scotland/
- Herald Scotlandhttps://www.heraldscotland.com/business_hq/23485355.netflix-film-scandi-noir-department-q-edinburgh/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2024/02/department-q-netflix-casting-matthew-goode-kelly-macdonald-jussi-adler-olsen-1235816027/
- Colliderhttps://collider.com/department-q-matthew-goode-chloe-pirrie-scott-frank-netflix/
- Netflix Tudumhttp://web.archive.org/web/20250816184322/https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/dept-q-release-date-cast-news
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2025/08/dept-q-renewed-season-2-netflix-matthew-goode-1236490850/
- "Castet til ny Afdeling Q-film offentliggjort - Zaki Youssef skiftet ud som Assad"https://soundvenue.com/film/2022/09/castet-til-ny-afdeling-q-film-offentliggjort-zaki-youssef-skiftet-ud-som-assad-491672
- "Zentropa Crime-Thriller 'The Purity Of Vengeance' Breaks Danish Box Office Record"https://deadline.com/2018/11/the-purity-of-vengeance-breaks-box-office-records-denmark-zentropa-nikolaj-arcel-mikkel-norgaard-1202508027/
- Nordisk Film & TV Fondhttps://nordiskfilmogtvfond.com/index.php/news/stories/nordic-admissions-2013-part-1-denmark-finland/
- TrustNordiskhttps://trustnordisk.com/movie/the-keeper-of-lost-causes
- Nordisk Film & TV Fondhttps://nordiskfilmogtvfond.com/news/stories/nordic-admissions-2014-part-2-denmark-iceland-sweden
- TrustNordiskhttps://trustnordisk.com/movie/the-absent-one
- Nordisk Film & TV Fondhttps://nordiskfilmogtvfond.com/news/specialReport/attendance-for-danish-films-drops-by-33-3-in-2016
- TrustNordiskhttps://trustnordisk.com/movie/a-conspiracy-of-faith
- Nordisk Film & TV Fondhttps://nordiskfilmogtvfond.com/assets/news/Denmark-2018-Annual-Admissions-Charts.pdf
- TrustNordiskhttps://trustnordisk.com/movie/the-purity-of-vengeance
- "Nordic Box Office in 2021: 'No Time to Die" Keeps Screens Alive"https://variety.com/2022/film/global/box-office-denmark-finland-norway-iceland-sweden-1235173129/
- Nordisk Film & TV Fondhttps://nordiskfilmogtvfond.com/assets/news/Denmark-2021-Annual-Admissions-Charts.pdf
- TrustNordiskhttps://trustnordisk.com/movie/the-marco-effect
- "Påskeferien i biografen"https://www.dfi.dk/nyheder/paaskeferien-i-biografen
- "I film danesi dominano il box office locale 2018"https://cineuropa.org/it/newsdetail/364870/
- "Ny Afdeling Q-film får bedste biografåbning for en dansk film i flere år!"https://www.kino.dk/nyheder/ny-afdeling-q-film-faar-bedste-biografaabning-en-dansk-film-i-flere-aar
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_keeper_of_lost_causes
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/department-q-the-keeper-of-lost-causes
- Kino.dkhttps://www.kino.dk/film/k/kv/kvinden-i-buret
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_absent_one
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/department-q-the-absent-one
- Kino.dkhttps://www.kino.dk/film/k/kv/kvinden-i-buret
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_conspiracy_of_faith_2016
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/department-q-a-conspiracy-of-faith
- Kino.dkhttps://www.kino.dk/film/f/fl/flaskepost-fra-p
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_purity_of_vengeance
- Kino.dkhttps://www.kino.dk/film/j/jo/journal-64
- Kino.dkhttps://www.kino.dk/film/m/ma/marco-effekten
- Kino.dkhttps://www.kino.dk/film/den-graenseloese