Television fans have a great deal to look forward to, with a crime drama having garnered impressive ratings, placing it firmly alongside British favourites such as Line of Duty and Broadchurch.
Crime Drama 'Criminal Record' Draws Comparisons to Line of Duty and Broadchurch
Much like Broadchurch, the programme centres on two detectives who are perpetually at loggerheads owing to their vastly differing personalities. Criminal Record is a British crime drama series devised by Paul Rutman, with Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo portraying the two detectives.
Capaldi plays DCI Daniel Hegarty, the seasoned veteran, while Jumbo takes on the role of the relative newcomer, DS June Lenker. Their differing levels of experience sees them constantly clashing as they investigate a murder case. That is, until an anonymous phone call steers them towards the answers they've been searching for.
The caller alleged that her abusive boyfriend murdered one of his former girlfriends years earlier, while an innocent man remains behind bars, serving a lengthy sentence for a crime she knows he didn't commit.
Critical Acclaim and Fan Reviews
One devoted viewer wrote a glowing review on Rotten Tomatoes, where the show holds an overall rating of 92%. It reads: "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!"
Series Details and Season Two Release
Series one comprises eight episodes, making it ideal for a binge-watch, and launched on the streaming platform back in 2024. After considerable anticipation, season two arrived on April 22, 2026, with fans swift to declare it was every bit as good, if not better than the first.
On season two, a 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 added that they "love" British crime series, and Criminal Record is "another one" that television enthusiasts should add to their must-watch lists.
Behind the Scenes: Creator Paul Rutman
The writer and producer behind the show is Paul Rutman, who has established himself within British TV over the last decade, working on some of the most celebrated programmes in recent years within the crime genre. He's best known for his work on Indian Summers, Vera, Next of Kin and The Deep and has received several BAFTA TV award nominations.
With Rutman at the helm, the show continues to captivate viewers, with one person stating: "One of the best series I've seen. Impeccable acting. Amazing script. It kept me guessing. Wow!"
Criminal Record is on Apple TV now.
