With Season Two of Dept. Q officially filming, it’s worth revisiting its runaway Season One star: the city of Edinburgh. Netflix’s adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s 11-book noir detective series follows Detective Carl Morck (Matthew Goode) as he grouses his way through his recovery from a shooting, his strained personal relationships, and a new posting in the basement, where his boss Moira Jacobson (Katie Dickie) hopes he’ll solve a cold case that will bring the department more publicity—and revenue. But just as much a character as any of Morck’s fellow investigators (Alexej Manvelov, Leah Byrne, Jamie Sives), or even disappeared solicitor Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), is Edinburgh itself. So why not take a day and tour the Dept.’s filming locations before Season Two’s release?
To visit Edinburgh’s filming locations in roughly the order they appear in Dept. Q, start with a drink and a pastry at The Milkman cafe. There are two locations along Cockburn Street, but the lower one can be seen over Lingard’s shoulder in the opening minute of the first episode as she climbs the steps towards the Royal Mile and the Edinburgh City Chambers. Being introduced as a Crown Prosecutor, this is where Lingard works, although many of her scenes in the courtroom are actually filmed inside the Signet Library. Just across the way is St. Giles’ Cathedral, which lends its distinct spires to many of Dept. Q’s most dramatic shots.
Merritt Lingard leaves Edinburgh early in the series, so it’s time to follow D.C.I. Morck to work at Argyle House. Notoriously one of Edinburgh’s ugliest buildings, the entrance, located at the base of Edinburgh Castle — and very near the series’ opening shot of Lingard (Chloe Pirrie) is recognizable for the large, organically shaped blocks of metal above its doors. The rest of the architecture is heavy concrete. It’s a suitably depressing space to serve as the Edinburgh police headquarters within the Dept. Q-niverse. There have been recent talks about tearing down Argyle House, however so to complete the pilgrimage, it’s advisable to visit — and leave — as soon as possible. For the full Dept. Q experience, take a Lothian bus there, and then back to the final stop at the Greyfriar Bobby’s pub, whose exterior was featured as the location of an informant.
If you’re willing to go further out of your way, as D.C.I. Morck eventually has to, the beautiful modern chapel on the Mortonhall Crematorium grounds was the location of filming for Dept. Q’s Christian Centre. Thankfully it, too, is easy to reach via bus.
Photo by Filis Elaerts on Unsplash
