Aberdeen’s distinctive architecture and scenic locales are once again drawing significant attention, with the University of Aberdeen‘s Sir Duncan Rice Library becoming the latest backdrop for a major Netflix production.
Camera crews, extensive equipment, and cast members have been active across the Granite City in recent weeks, capturing scenes for the highly anticipated second season of the crime drama “Dept. Q”.
The series, which stars Matthew Goode as DCI Carl Morck, has expanded its filming locations to include various sites across Aberdeen. Beyond the university’s modern library, production had previously been spotted at the city’s beach area, including near Pittodrie Stadium, and the historic Art Deco Bon Accord Baths building.
The Sir Duncan Rice Library, designed by Danish architects Schmidt Hammer Lassen and completed in 2011, is recognised for its striking contemporary design. The seven-storey building is notable for its glazed facade, featuring irregular bands of transparent and opaque glass that create distinctive light and reflection effects, making it a prominent architectural landmark in North East Scotland.
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This Netflix engagement follows another high-profile association for the library earlier this year. In June, Aberdeen Football Club unveiled its new away kit for the 2026/27 season, with the design explicitly inspired by the unique patterns of the Sir Duncan Rice Library’s facade. This marked the club’s first kit release in partnership with Italian sportswear brand Macron, succeeding a 15-year collaboration with Adidas.
While the influx of film production brings economic benefits and boosts the city’s profile, it has necessitated temporary adjustments for the University of Aberdeen community. A spokesperson for the University of Aberdeen addressed the balance between these opportunities and core academic functions, stating to The Press and Journal: “We are committed to maximising opportunities from our estate which will enable us to contribute to the local and regional economy but always seek to balancing this against our core functions of education, teaching and research.”
The spokesperson further affirmed measures taken to mitigate inconvenience for students during the filming period: “Steps were taken to minimise disruption through the provision of alternative study spaces and to ensure library materials could still be accessed throughout. This was communicated in advance through our student news channels, website, social media and on-site signage.”
