“Criminal Record” is a true hidden gem, an engrossing British crime drama that feels both thrilling and socially relevant. With complex characters and a tightly woven narrative, it’s the kind of series that keeps you second-guessing every turn.
If you missed Season 1, now’s the time to catch up before diving into Season 2.
The series stars Cush Jumbo as Detective June Lenker and Peter Capaldi as Daniel Hegarty, a powerful and deeply complicated senior detective. Their dynamic is the engine of the show as it’s fraught, unpredictable, and, by the end of Season 1, downright dangerous. June’s fate felt uncertain as she navigated Daniel’s manipulative and morally murky tactics.
Season 2 raises the stakes. The tension between June and Daniel intensifies as June begins to confront not just individual cases, but the fragility of the system itself and the broader injustices embedded within it. The narrative expands to tackle murder, protests, and political pressure, while still grounding the story in the personal. What makes the writing especially effective is how it weaves their professional lives into their private ones, showing how deeply the job seeps into everything.
Both Jumbo and Capaldi deliver richly layered performances, and the supporting cast continues to elevate the material with equal strength.
Smart, gripping, and sharply written, Criminal Record remains under the radar, but it shouldn’t be. Season 2 has just begun streaming on Apple TV, and it’s well worth your time.
And don’t miss my recent interview with the two leads; it’s the perfect companion to a series that rewards close attention.
4 Stars
