The Good Wifestar Matthew Goode began his acting career in 2002 with an appearance in the TV movie,ConfessionsofanUglyStepsister, before receiving a break with his role in the 2004 movie,ChasingLiberty. Goode has since gained recognition for his performance as Henry Talbot in the television seriesDownton Abbey(2010-2015); while his character proved popular with viewers, it has been confirmed that Goode will not appear in theupcomingDownton Abbey: The Grand Finale.
In 2014, Matthew Goode joined the cast ofThe Good Wife, considered one of thebest legal TV dramas, where he played the role of Finn Polmar. During his time inThe Good Wife, Goode’s character, Finn, served as the Assistant State’s Attorney and suffered a severe injury during a courtroom shooting while attempting to rescue Will Gardner. Goode’s character proved popular, but while he was expected to fill Will’s place, Goode chose to leave the show after season 6. While his departure saddened viewers, they can now enjoy another of Goode’s legal dramas, now streaming on Netflix.
Fans Of The Good Wife Should Watch Matthew Goode In Netflix’s Dept. Q
Goode Plays The Role Of Carl Mørck In Dept. Q
In 2025, Matthew Goode joined thecast ofDept. Q, as Carl Mørck, a detective struggling to overcome the emotional demons of his past and return to his legal career.Adapted from the Danish crime series by Jussi Adler-Olsen,Dept Q. follows the events of the 2011 novel,Kvinden i buret, which was released in English asThe Keeper of the Lost Causes. The Netflix series is the first English-language adaptation of the crime novel. In a change from the original series, which is mainly set in Denmark, the Netflix adaptation ofDept. Qis located in Edinburgh, Scotland.
In the Netflix series, Goode’s character, Carl Mørck, returns to lead the investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Merritt Lingard (Chloe Pirrie), an ambitious prosecutor, who vanished without a trace from a ferry, four years prior. Throughout the series, Mørck and his team investigate Merritt’s past and her connections to aman named Sam Haig, whodied in unusual circumstances just one day before she disappeared. But as Mørck’s team unearths more surprising details about Merritt and her relationship with Sam, they come to learn that there is more to her disappearance than they initially believed.
Since its release on Netflix,Dept. Qhas received a strongly positive reception from critics and viewers and was praised for its plot twists, faithfulness to the original book series, and its blend of drama, tragedy, and suspense. Within days of its release on Netflix,Dept. Qbecame a global streaming hitand has an impressive score of81% on Rotten Tomatoes. In particular, Goode was praised for his work as Mørck, withThe Guardiandescribing his performance as the “shining centerpiece” of the series, making it a worthy experience for those who enjoyed watching him inThe Good Wife.
Matthew Goode Has A History Of Working On Shows Based On A Book Series
He Has Also Appeared In A Discovery Of Witches & Death Comes To Pemberley
Throughout his career,Goode has performed in various television shows that were adapted from acclaimed books. In the early stages of his career, Goode made appearances in the 2004 BBC series,He Knew He Was Rightand the 2005 ITV adaptation ofMarple,which was inspired by the works of the famous crime novelist, Agatha Christie. In 2011, Goode joined the cast of the British historical drama series,Death Comes to Pemberley, based on the novel by P.D. James. The series served as an unofficial sequel to theJane Austen novel,Pride and Prejudice, and saw Goode portray Fitzwilliam Darcy.
Most notably, Matthew Goode served as a leading actor in thecast ofA Discovery of Witches, based on theAll Souls Trilogyby Deborah Harkness. In the fantasy series, Goode played the role of Matthew Clairmont, a vampire, who assists a witch named Diana Bishop in uncovering the origins of magic.A Discovery of Witchesran for three seasons, with season 1rising to Netflix’s top 10 seven years after its release. Goode’s performance inA Discovery of Witcheswas widely praised and proved that he was the right actor to lead Netflix’sDept. Q.
Dept. Q
Cast
Dept. Q follows a brash yet brilliant cop who is appointed head of a new police department in Edinburgh. Leading a team of misfits, he tackles cold cases, uncovering old mysteries and long-buried secrets.
The Good Wife
After being a stay-at-home mother for thirteen years, Alicia Florrick resumes her law career after her husband is imprisoned following a political corruption and sex scandal.
