“Criminal Record” is a British crime thriller that follows two detectives chasing down an old murder case. It premiered on Apple TV+ on 10 January 2024, with a second series arriving on 22 April 2026. Created by Paul Rutman, the show stars Peter Capaldi as DCI Daniel Hegarty and Cush Jumbo as DS June Lenker.
The premise is simple and effective. An anonymous phone call draws Lenker and Hegarty together. One is a young officer still finding her feet. The other is a seasoned veteran who wants to keep his record clean. They are fighting to correct a miscarriage of justice from years earlier.
Trailer, via Apple TV.
Capaldi and Jumbo Carry the Weight
Capaldi plays DCI Daniel Hegarty with a worn, world-weary charm. He is the kind of detective who has seen too much and is now protecting his reputation. His performance anchors the show. He brings a quiet intensity to every scene, even when the script asks him to play a bureaucrat trying to hold the line.
Jumbo returns as DS June Lenker, the younger officer who is still learning the ropes. She is sharp, curious, and not afraid to push back against Hegarty when she thinks he is wrong. Their chemistry is the engine of the show. They disagree constantly, but they respect each other enough to keep working together.
The supporting cast fills out the world around them. Shaun Dooley plays DS Kim Cardwell, a fellow detective who provides comic relief and occasional moral support. Stephen Campbell Moore appears as Leo Hanratty, a suspect whose motives are never quite clear. Luther Ford takes on the role of Billy Fielding, a witness with a grudge. Dustin Demri-Burns plays Cosmo Thompson, and Luke Pasqualino appears as JP Brownlee. Joshua Reid rounds out the cast as a hospital patient.
The Case at the Center
The show is built around one central mystery: a murder that went unsolved years ago. An anonymous phone call suggests that the case was mishandled, and it draws Hegarty and Lenker into a fight to correct the record. The show unfolds slowly, building tension through small details and character interactions.
The writing leans on dialogue to reveal information. Scenes often feel like conversations between people who know the truth but are unwilling to share it. This can work in the show’s favor, creating a sense of unease. It can also slow the pace, especially in episodes where the action stalls while characters talk.
The show is at its best when it lets the case breathe. It trusts the audience to follow along, even when the plot takes unexpected turns. That trust pays off in the final stretch, where the pieces finally fall into place.
Genre and Tone
“Criminal Record” is a crime drama, and it plays that card honestly. The show borrows from classic police procedurals, with a focus on character over spectacle. There are no car chases or explosions. Instead, there are meetings in dimly lit rooms and phone calls that reveal new information.
The tone shifts between tense and reflective. Some scenes are pure procedural, with officers reviewing evidence and interviewing witnesses. Others are quieter, focusing on the personal lives of the detectives. These shifts keep the show from becoming a single-note exercise in suspense.
The show also leans on its London setting. The streets, the offices, and the pubs all feel lived-in. This attention to detail helps ground the story in a specific time and place.
The Supporting Cast
Shaun Dooley’s DS Kim Cardwell adds a layer of humor and warmth to the show. He is the kind of character who knows everyone’s business and is always willing to offer advice. His scenes with Hegarty and Lenker are some of the most enjoyable in the series.
Stephen Campbell Moore’s Leo Hanratty is a more troubling presence. He is a suspect, but the show refuses to make him a simple villain. There is a sense that he is hiding something, and the audience is left guessing until the final episode. His performance is restrained, letting the ambiguity do the work.
Luther Ford’s Billy Fielding is a witness with a grudge. His scenes are tense, with a feeling that he might say too much. Dustin Demri-Burns’s Cosmo Thompson and Luke Pasqualino’s JP Brownlee appear in smaller roles, providing context and complications. Joshua Reid’s hospital patient adds a recurring element that keeps the show unpredictable.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The show succeeds because it trusts its actors and its audience. The writing gives Capaldi and Jumbo room to explore their relationship, and the result is a pairing that feels natural and earned. The pacing is uneven, with some episodes dragging while others crackle with energy.
The show’s strengths are also its weaknesses. The slow burn can be frustrating when the plot needs to move forward. Some viewers may find the middle episodes repetitive, with similar scenes repeated across multiple episodes. The show is at its best when it cuts away from the procedural and focuses on the human stakes.
The show’s weakest moments come from the writing itself. Some scenes feel like filler, with characters talking about the case without advancing the plot. These stretches can test the patience of viewers who want a faster pace.
A Solid Second Season
The second series picks up where the first left off, with the detectives still chasing down the old case. The show benefits from having established its world and its characters. The second season can lean on the groundwork laid in the first, allowing for deeper exploration of the central mystery.
The second season also introduces new threads, broadening the scope of the investigation. The show does not simply repeat the formula of the first series. It builds on it, adding layers of complexity that reward viewers who have followed the story from the beginning.
The show’s themes remain consistent across both seasons. The idea of justice and the cost of it runs through every episode. The characters are forced to confront what they are willing to sacrifice for the truth. The show handles these themes with a steady hand, never leaning too far into melodrama.
Where It Falls Short
The show is not perfect. Some viewers may find the pacing uneven, with episodes that drag in the middle. The show also relies heavily on dialogue to reveal information, which can make it feel dense for those who prefer visual storytelling.
The show’s reliance on its leads is both a strength and a limitation. Without Capaldi and Jumbo, the show would collapse. But the supporting cast is given less room to breathe, and some characters feel like they exist only to serve the plot. The show could benefit from giving more weight to its ensemble.
The show’s handling of its setting is also worth noting. The London locations are used well, but the show rarely ventures beyond the city limits. This keeps the world contained, which suits the story. It also means the show does not try to be something it is not.
Final Word
“Criminal Record” is a solid crime drama with a strong central pairing. Capaldi and Jumbo deliver performances that anchor the show, and the writing keeps the mystery engaging. The pacing drags in places, and some viewers may find the middle episodes repetitive. But the show rewards patience, delivering a satisfying conclusion that ties together its threads.
The show is a rewarding watch for fans of the genre, but it is not without its flaws. It is a show that respects its audience and its characters, and that is worth celebrating.
- Peter Capaldi delivers a strong performance as DCI Daniel Hegarty.
- Cush Jumbo matches him beat for beat as DS June Lenker.
- The show builds on a solid foundation from the first season.
- The show is a rewarding watch for crime drama fans.
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