Or is he? Loyal readers of Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen's crime novels, which form the basis for the series, know that it is quite unclear what the novel figure actually has for a background.
The Syrian refugee Akram, as he is called in the TV series, is initially a shy IT technician. But when Akram is promoted and begins to investigate crimes, he demonstrates analytical skills and brutality that suggest a background as a police officer.
He is a refugee from Syria and has been deprived of his status and dignity, which he is trying to get back, explains Alexej Manvelov.
Fares Fares' role
Adler-Olsen's novels have previously been filmed in Denmark with Fares Fares in the role that Alexej Manvelov now does in the Netflix version.
We are close friends, so we have talked about it. But I haven't seen his films, says Alexej Manvelov.
Has Fares Fares given you any tips?
He has at least really tried! But I held my ears. I tried to do something new, so I didn't want to be influenced, says Alexej Manvelov and laughs.
The plot of the TV series has been moved from Copenhagen to Edinburgh. For obvious reasons, thinks Matthew Goode, who plays Commissioner Carl Morck. Netflix wanted to make an international big bet on English.
Therefore, it would have been almost insulting to stay in Denmark and do it in English, he says.
Misanthrope
The novel figure Carl Morck has been compared to Leif GW Persson's Bäckström, a real misanthrope who never misses the opportunity to make nasty comments. How do you make such a character likable enough for the audience to engage with him?
I think you start to understand where he comes from and what drives him the longer the series goes. But I must admit that I actually like Carl! And I think people like to see someone being mean to others, says Matthew Goode and laughs.
Jussi Adler-Olsen has previously said that he would like to see his entire book series of ten novels filmed for Netflix. And Matthew Goode says he would like to continue playing Morck.
I would say yes directly, because it's some of the best actors in the world I've worked with here. But if it happens, I'll have a walker when we get to the tenth season, says the 47-year-old and laughs.
All episodes of "Dept Q" will be released on Netflix on May 29.
Alexej Manvelov, 43, has Russian and Kurdish parents and was born in Moscow. He came to Sweden at the age of ten and grew up in Ljungsbro and Linköping. He has, among other things, participated in the TV series "Occupation", "Before We Die", "Top Dog" and "Chernobyl" as well as the Netflix film "One and a Half Day".
Jussi Adler-Olsen has written ten books about "Department Q". The first, "The Woman in the Room", from 2007, forms the basis for the TV series "Dept Q".
Six of the books have been filmed in Denmark. In four of them, Fares Fares plays one of the leading roles.
