Apple TV+'s gritty London crime drama Criminal Record has quietly become one of the platform's most compelling series, and its second season is finally getting the attention it deserves. Following the premiere of Season 2, the show has surged into the Top 5 in the U.S. and held steady, according to FlixPatrol. Unlike many shows that spike and fade, this one is proving to have staying power.
The new season opens with a gut-wrenching moment: a teenage boy is stabbed at a London rally and dies in the arms of Detective Sergeant June Lenker (Cush Jumbo). The scene is unflinching and unhurried, forcing viewers to sit with the trauma just as June does. This devastating event becomes the emotional anchor for the entire season, coloring every decision June makes and every interaction she has—especially with her reluctant partner, DCI Daniel Hegarty (Peter Capaldi).
A Partnership Built on Tension
At its core, Criminal Record is a show about two detectives who should never work together. Hegarty is a veteran nearing the end of his career, haunted by his past, while June is a younger officer driven by a strong moral compass. Their relationship has always been fraught, but Season 2 strips away any pretense of professionalism. The stakes are deeply personal now, and the show lets that tension bleed into every scene.
When June and Hegarty meet again in Season 2, it's not out of trust—it's because the investigation demands it. Hegarty is under pressure to track down a member of an extremist group, while June's impulsivity has spiked due to her trauma, making her more confrontational than ever. Their dynamic is unpredictable and volatile, a far cry from the typical procedural partnership.
Why It's Climbing the Charts
Season 2 has reframed the story in a way that makes going back to Season 1 feel essential. New viewers have a reason to catch up, while returning fans are revisiting earlier episodes with fresh context. Apple's weekly release strategy has also worked in the show's favor, allowing tension to build and conversations to grow organically. Criminal Record thrives on accumulation—details stacking, tensions rising, characters revealing themselves slowly.
The series currently holds a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics have praised its emotionally punishing second case. Unlike many crime dramas that chase shocking twists, Criminal Record goes the opposite direction. The violence, when it appears, is meant to unsettle rather than impress. The writing builds meaning through small, specific choices, and the central question—what happens when the truth gets buried or reshaped—feels baked into every interaction.
Performances That Carry the Show
What really sets Criminal Record apart are the performances. Jumbo plays June with a quiet intensity that never tips into melodrama, while Capaldi gives Hegarty a weariness that feels earned rather than performed. Together, they create a dynamic that's unpredictable in a way most procedural pairings aren't. For fans of crime dramas that prioritize character over spectacle, this is a must-watch.
If you're looking for more gripping crime series, check out Jude Law and Jason Bateman's 'Black Rabbit' on Netflix or Sean Bean's 'This City Is Ours' on AMC+. For more on Capaldi's series, see our deep dive on its sleeper hit status.
