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On May 29, 2025, the British criminal thriller series Dept. Q made its Netflix debut. Based on the well-known Danish book series by Jussi Adler-Olsen, the adaptation was developed by Scott Frank (The Queen's Gambit) and Chandni Lakhani (Dublin Murders). The narrative centers on DCI Carl Mørck, who, following a traumatic incident, is tasked with heading a cold case section.
Mørck investigates unsolved cases with an unlikely squad and limited resources. The show stars Alexej Manvelov, Kelly Macdonald, Chloe Pirrie, and Matthew Goode in lead roles.
Set in the UK, Dept. Q spans nine episodes and has deep characters, emotional depth, and dramatic narrative.
While not the flashiest presence in Dept. Q, Alexej Manvelov excels as Akram Salim, capturing viewers' attention with his serene, enigmatic demeanor as he plays an IT assistant and former Syrian police officer.
More about Alexej Manvelov from Dept. Q
Alexej Manvelov may not be the most prominent figure in Dept. Q, but he is certainly among the most memorable ones. In the show, he portrays Akram Salim, a soft-spoken Syrian immigrant who impresses everyone with his calm strength, intelligence, and quiet charm. While Dept. Q features a strong cast, which includes Matthew Goode and Chloe Pirrie, it is Manvelov's performance that has reportedly truly captivated fans.
Akram begins as a supporting character, a mere IT specialist tinkering with old case files in a basement. However, it quickly becomes apparent that he is much more than that. As the story progresses, we find out that he was a police officer in Syria before being compelled to leave his homeland and establish himself in Scotland. That in and of itself lends dimension to his character, but Manvelov's nuanced facial expressions and unwavering vitality are what truly make Akram come to life.
What fans like most about Akram is the difference yet parity between his external demeanor and internal strength. On the surface, he appears sweet and pleasant, usually providing assistance and keeping to himself. But beyond that peaceful exterior lies someone capable, bold, and even dangerous when the situation calls for it. Whether he's dealing with a tough question or defending himself in a dangerous circumstance, Akram proves he's not to be ignored.
Carl, the series' principal detective, stops Akram during a prayer in an emotionally charged moment early on. Akram does not say anything immediately away. But later, he gently warns Carl not to do it again. It's a small moment, but it conveys a lot—he is courteous, yet he is capable of setting boundaries. Fans were immediately drawn to that calm confidence.
Akram's portrayal benefits greatly from Alexej Manvelov's extensive personal experience. He was raised in Sweden after being born in Moscow in 1982 to a Russian mother and a Kurdish father. He pursued his love for performing after working in the domain of construction industry before becoming an actor.
Prior to Dept. Q, Manvelov starred in television series such as Jack Ryan (2018-2023), Chernobyl (2019), and the Swedish film A Day and a Half (2023).
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