Hit Netflix Drama Dept. Q Filming Season Two in Canonmills 2026

Key Points

• Camera crews for Netflix crime drama Dept. Q are currently shooting scenes for season two in Canonmills, Edinburgh.
• Matthew Goode returns to play Lead Detective Chief Inspector Carl Mørck, joined by returning ensemble cast members.
• Director Scott Frank is back at the helm for the second series, which is produced with Left Bank Pictures.
• The Edinburgh shoot requires brief road closures, parking restrictions, and vintage cars on location.
• The new episodes adapt more material from Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Danish crime novels, with the story set in the Scottish capital.

CANONMILLS (Edinburgh Daily) September 22, 2026 — Film crews and production vehicles belonging to the major Netflix drama series Dept. Q have been spotted on location in Canonmills, marking a significant phase in the filming of the show’s second season. Residents and passers-by in the northern Edinburgh district reported seeing lighting rigs, camera tracks, and production units stationed along local thoroughfares as director Scott Frank and lead actor Matthew Goode resumed work on the critically acclaimed Scottish-set crime thriller.

Why Is Netflix Filming Dept. Q in Canonmills?

As reported by media analysts and local entertainment reporters, the production team selected Canonmills for its distinct architectural character and versatile streetscapes. The neighborhood, situated just north of the New Town along the Water of Leith, provides a mix of traditional Scottish stone tenements and quieter suburban corridors.

As noted by production reporters, location managers for Left Bank Pictures chose Canonmills to serve as a backdrop for key exterior sequences required in season two. The visual aesthetic of the district aligns with the atmospheric, brooding tone established by director Scott Frank during the first season.

Who Has Been Seen on Set During the Canonmills Shoot?

Eyewitnesses and local onlookers confirmed the presence of lead actor Matthew Goode, who plays the abrasive Detective Chief Inspector Carl Mørck. According to reporting by television journalist Olivia Lambert, Goode was seen filming scenes alongside technical crew members amidst controlled traffic measures in Canonmills.

In addition to Goode, production updates confirm that key supporting cast members—including Alexej Manvelov as Akram Salim, Leah Byrne as DC Rose Dickson, and Jamie Sives as DS James Hardy—have returned to Edinburgh for season two filming.

How Are Local Residents and Businesses Affected by Filming?

As detailed by local municipal notices and local news outlets, the arrival of the Dept. Q production unit has required temporary traffic management measures across parts of Canonmills and neighboring streets. Parking suspensions and brief stop-and-go road holds were put in place to accommodate heavy production trucks, generator units, and catering vehicles.

As reported by business editor Thomas Wright, local traders in Canonmills have generally welcomed the activity, noting that large film crews generate increased footfall for nearby cafés, bakeries, and retail shops. However, local authorities have advised residents to anticipate minor logistical delays while outdoor sequences are being shot.

What Do We Know About the Plot for Season Two?

As reported by entertainment correspondent Sarah Jenkins of Screen Digest, season two continues the adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s world-famous crime novel series. Executive producer Rob Bullock stated that the upcoming season investigates “a terrible crime hidden in the highest echelons of Scottish society,” moving beyond the immediate narrative of season one while retaining the core cold-case investigative format.

According to statements released by Netflix Tudum, the central cold-case unit based in the basement of Edinburgh Police HQ will face higher-stakes political pressure and deeper institutional friction as DCI Mørck digs into historical offences.

Background of the Particular Development

The filming of Dept. Q season two in Canonmills represents the latest milestone in a major production initiative that began when Netflix commissioned the British adaptation of Jussi Adler-Olsen’s Danish novel series. Created and adapted for television by Scott Frank and Chandni Lakhani, the project relocated the original Copenhagen setting to Edinburgh, leveraging Scotland’s landscapes and urban heritage.

Season one, produced by Left Bank Pictures (the production company behind The Crown and Outlander), was filmed extensively across Edinburgh, East Lothian, and Fife. Shooting locations included the Royal Mile, City Chambers, Leith Studios, Portobello Beach, and the Queensferry Crossing. Following its premiere on Netflix, the nine-part initial season achieved substantial viewership, holding a spot in Netflix’s global top ten chart for six consecutive weeks.

In August 2025, Netflix formally announced the renewal of Dept. Q for a second season, re-engaging Scott Frank as lead director and Rob Bullock as producer. Production officially commenced in mid-2026, with First Stage Studios in Leith acting as the main studio base while location shoots expanded into Canonmills and surrounding Scottish regions.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect the Particular Audience

The ongoing high-profile filming of Dept. Q in Canonmills is expected to exert a measurable impact on several key audience groups, ranging from local Edinburgh residents to the broader UK film and television industry:

• For Edinburgh Residents and Local Businesses: The continued presence of major Netflix productions delivers a direct economic boost to local hospitality, retail, and service providers. However, recurring street closures and parking suspensions in residential areas like Canonmills may require greater municipal coordination to balance commercial screen tourism benefits with local neighborhood convenience.
• For the Scottish Screen and Creative Sector: The retention of a multi-season flagship drama series in Edinburgh solidifies Scotland’s position as a premier European filming destination. It secures sustained employment for local crew members, technical specialists, and supporting artists, reinforcing the long-term utility of studio facilities such as First Stage Studios in Leith.
• For Global Viewers and Crime Drama Fans: The continuation of filming ensures that audiences can expect a visually authentic and topographically rich second season. By filming extensively on real location streets rather than relying solely on set builds, the series maintains its distinct sense of place, setting high expectations for the eventual global release on the streaming platform.