If charm were currency, Matthew Goode would be Warren Buffett. The English actor has long captivated viewers with his suave screen presence and subtle emotional range. From his breakout performance in Match Point to scene-stealing roles in The Imitation Game, A Single Man
, and the addictive historical fantasy A Discovery of Witches
, Goode has built a career on elegance and edge. But despite his refined resume, it appears Goode still occasionally finds himself battling for roles against Hollywood’s heaviest hitters.
Recently, the thespian revealed he had to outshine several Tinseltown elites to secure a highly coveted role.
Matthew Goode shocked after outshining A-listers for role
In a recent conversation on Happy Sad Confused
with host Josh Horowitz,
Matthew Goode revealed his disbelief at landing a major role in Netflix’s Dept. Q
over some of Hollywood’s most prominent figures. “I found out some of the other people on that list, you would not believe that I beat them to that job… They are very famous people,”
Goode admitted. The actor praised director Ridley Scott for the casting decision, calling it “amazing,”
and expressed genuine humility about being chosen over industry titans.
Matthew Goode as Carl Mørck in Dept. Q appreciation tweet. pic.twitter.com/XAILF6iIjc
— cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) June 21, 2025
While Goode did not name names, the comment hints at an A-list-heavy shortlist that he unexpectedly topped. Known for his roles in The Imitation Game, Downton Abbey
, and The Crown
, Goode has always delivered sophistication. Yet his surprise shows a self-deprecating charm, proving that even the most polished performers can feel like underdogs behind the scenes.
Read More: ‘Dept. Q’ Cast Matthew Goode and Chloe Pirrie Deliver More Than Closure as Season Two Buzz Grows
While the fate of the second season of Dept. Q
remains unclear, one thing is certain, Matthew Goode was born to play DCI Carl Morck.
How Matthew Goode became the definition of DCI Carl Morck in Dept. Q
Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck feels less like casting and more like divine alignment. Known for playing characters with simmering intellect and emotional restraint, Goode brings a brooding gravity to Morck without ever tipping into cliché. His calm menace, tired eyes, and voice that could both comfort and interrogate make him tailor-made for this kind of Nordic-noir gloom. Honestly, he makes existential dread look like a fine wine pairing.
Nervously waiting for Netflix to order a second season of dept Q because Matthew Goode as Karl >>> Nikolai Lie Kaas pic.twitter.com/0OXg6CHFIM
— anaïs maria (@saharatears) June 8, 2025
What seals the deal is Goode’s uncanny ability to balance detachment with emotional weight. As DCI Carl Morck, he delivers cynicism with precision, yet never lets the viewer forget the grief beneath it. He handles trauma like it is a third cup of tea, quietly, without fuss, but unmistakably present. Add a trench coat and a haunted backstory, and you have the role he was clearly born to underplay.
Read More: Netflix’s ‘Department Q’: 5 Reasons This Gritty Crime Thriller Deserves a Spot on Your Watchlist
Do you also think Matthew Goode was made for his role in Dept. Q
? Let us know in the comments down below!