Ever since Dept. Q dropped on Netflix, viewers have been captivated by its dark storytelling, intricate mysteries, and emotionally rich characters. However, this one character is attracting fans' affection the most, and it's not Carl. Yes, it's Akram Salim, the quiet, cerebral detective played with equal magnanimity by Alexej Manvelov.
Now, after the chilling events of Dept. Q Season 1, fans are rallying for what they're calling the “Akram Salim Spin-Off," a standalone series that would explore the enigmatic detective’s backstory, worldview, and post-season fate. And frankly, it might be just what Netflix needs to keep the momentum going. One of the fan's comments on Reddit reads,
"We need a dedicated Akram show. Novels. Akram does a podcast. The works."
Read on to know more about fans' excitement and love for the character of the crime thriller.
Fans' love for Akram Salim in the Dept. Q might be the key to the Netflix crime thriller's revival

Dept. Q fans loved Akram so much that they are demanding a spin-off based on his character. Dept. Q is set in Scotland and centres on Carl Morck, a brooding and emotionally cold detective grieving a traumatic loss. He is supported by Akram Salim, a sharp and empathetic partner who eventually becomes not just Carl's support but someone who keeps the team stable during difficult situations.
Akram is everything a modern crime thriller needs but rarely delivers. He is smart and observant and often picks up details that Carl overlooks. Additionally, he is emotionally grounded, bringing empathy to investigations without sentimentality.
Fans on the internet are showing their love for the character everywhere. Calling Akram his favorite character of the decade, another fan declared
"My favourite character by far for the last decade or so. The calm and patience he has, and you know that he earned it through extreme suffering and pain."
While people are excited and demanding an origin story for the character. One person mentioned,
"Needs an origin story"
Another comment on Reddit expresses how Akram Salim has always surprised them in every episode. They stated,
"Was a character that surprised me in every episode, and absolutely fell in love with his quiet confidence and determination for justice."
One fan stated his love for the character by calling him their "man crush." They wrote,
"Throughout the season, I developed the biggest man-crush on Akram I have had for a character in a long time."
With the show generating solid buzz and Akram’s popularity only growing, a spin-off seems like a strategically smart move. Netflix has revived characters before, such as Queen Charlotte from Bridgerton and Berlin from Money Heist, based on fan demand.
And with Dept. Q already balancing mystery with psychology, Akram is the perfect lead for a moody, character-driven detective drama in the Broadchurch or Marcella mold.
Akram Salim isn’t just a fan favorite—he's the soul of the Dept. Q. A spin-off centered on this character would not only satisfy audiences craving more of his brilliance but could also ensure the long-term legacy of Netflix’s gripping crime universe.