Who is Graham Finch in Dept. Q? Details about the character from the Netflix crime thriller, explored

Graham Finch is one of the most powerful and dangerous figures in Netflix’s Dept. Q, and the series wastes no time showing why his name carries weight across Edinburgh. Finch is introduced not just as a wealthy businessman but as a man accused of killing his wife, Andrea, during a high-profile trial that prosecutor Merritt Lingard was desperate to win.

The case centered on Andrea’s death after a public argument, with Merritt arguing that Finch pushed her down the stairs to stop her from leaving his control. Finch’s defense painted a different picture, claiming she fell by accident or was already dead when he returned home. The trial collapsed when a key witness, Kirsty Atkins, was silenced, and that moment set in motion the corruption and cover-ups that still hang over Department Q years later.

In Dept. Q, Finch is a suspect. He is shown to control people at the highest levels of the Crown Office, using intimidation, blackmail, and violence to protect himself. From having Kirsty nearly killed in prison to threatening investigators like Carl Morck and even their families, Finch’s reach defines much of the show’s tension. He represents unchecked privilege, shielded by influence and money, making him central to the story.

Inside the power and corruption of Graham Finch in Netflix’s Dept. Q

What makes Graham Finch stand out in Dept. Q is the way his influence continues long after the courtroom trial ends. His case is not closed in the usual sense; instead, it becomes a web of intimidation and hidden deals that stretches across Scotland’s legal system. Finch manages to secure protection from none other than Lord Advocate Stephen Burns.

The connection is revealed through Burns’s daughter, Julia, who, years earlier, was involved in a hit-and-run incident. Finch knew the details of that case and used it to force Burns into blocking witness Kirsty Atkins from testifying. Without Kirsty, the prosecution collapsed, and Finch walked free. This is the kind of control Finch wields that ensures the system bends in his favor.

Even after escaping conviction, Finch does not stop covering his tracks. From prison attacks on Kirsty to threatening former detectives like Fergus Dunbar, his power is seen through the violent measures he orders.

His men follow Carl Morck, harass his stepson Jasper, and even set him up in public, knowing that a viral video of police brutality could damage his credibility. These acts show Finch’s strategy: he doesn’t need to fight directly, because he has the wealth and connections to outsource every act of intimidation.

Dept. Q makes it clear that Finch’s crimes are not isolated moments of anger. His wife’s death, Kirsty’s near-fatal assault, and the pressure on officials all tie back to a man determined to silence anyone who threatens him. Finch becomes the reminder that money and power can shield someone far beyond the walls of a courtroom.

His lawyer, Robbie, lies without hesitation, spinning stories that attempt to pin leaks on reporters like Sam Haig, when in reality it was Burns who protected Finch. The fact that this lie is even plausible shows how carefully Finch manipulates his surroundings.

By the time Carl and Akram reopen the cold case years later, Finch is still untouchable on the surface. He plays golf at his private club, hosts guests at his mansion, and pretends the past is buried. Yet his panic shows whenever Department Q closes in.

In Dept. Q, his texts on his chauffeur’s phone, the blackmail trails, and his violent responses all confirm that Finch is a man built on secrets. He represents the type of criminal who kills and builds a system that makes accountability nearly impossible.

Trending

Follow for more updates.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback