The gripping British crime drama Criminal Record has wowed viewers with its twisting storylines, earning comparisons to beloved hits Line of Duty and Broadchurch. The show, which just dropped its second season, has garnered impressive ratings, placing it firmly alongside these beloved British favourites.
Much like Broadchurch, the series centres on two detectives who are perpetually at odds due to their vastly contrasting personalities. Criminal Record is a British crime drama created by Paul Rutman, starring Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo as two rival detectives. Capaldi portrays DCI Daniel Hegarty, the seasoned old hand, while Jumbo takes on the role of the relatively inexperienced DS June Lenker.
The gulf between their careers keeps them constantly at odds as they investigate a murder case together. That is, until a mysterious anonymous phone call leads them closer to the truth. The caller alleges that her abusive boyfriend murdered a former girlfriend years earlier, while an innocent man remains behind bars, serving a lengthy sentence for a crime she knows he did not commit.
One enthusiastic viewer wrote a glowing review on Rotten Tomatoes, where the show holds an impressive overall rating of 92%, writing: 'Great show! The writing and story was excellent. The actors were believable with some performances high quality (Cush Jumbo). This is a great example of a show that keeps you interested the whole time with great pacing and characters - and doesn't need extra violence, sex or language. Well done.'
Meanwhile, another viewer shared: 'One of the best series I've seen. Impeccable acting. Amazing script. It kept me guessing. Wow!'
The first series comprises eight episodes, making it ideal for a binge-watch, and landed on the streaming platform back in 2024. After considerable anticipation, season two arrived on 22nd April 2026, with fans swiftly declaring it every bit as compelling, if not superior to, the first.
Reacting to season two, one fan wrote: 'The acting is fantastic this season. They took the show to a new level and had some interesting family themes and struggles. I really enjoy Criminal Record, they have created a dark and mysterious side to police and intelligence.'
Another enthusiastic viewer added that they 'love' British crime series, and that Criminal Record is 'another one' that TV fans should add to their must-watch lists. The creative force behind the show is writer and producer Paul Rutman, who has firmly established himself within British television over the past decade, having worked on some of the most acclaimed crime dramas in recent years.
He is perhaps best recognised for his contributions to Indian Summers, Vera, Next of Kin and The Deep, and has received multiple BAFTA TV award nominations throughout his career. With Rutman at the helm, the series continues to captivate audiences, with one viewer enthusing: 'One of the best series I've seen. Impeccable acting. Amazing script. It kept me guessing. Wow!'
All episodes of Criminal Record are now available to delve into exclusively on Apple TV.
