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Entertainment • Television

Criminal Record

Criminal Record is a British crime thriller television series created by Paul Rutman.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Criminal Record is a British crime thriller television series created by Paul Rutman. It stars Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo as London detectives drawn into a disputed old murder case, exploring issues of justice, race, and police power. The series premiered on Apple TV+ in January 2024 and returned for a second season in 2026.

Premise

The series centers on two London detectives who clash over a historic murder conviction after an anonymous phone call reopens the case. The plot involves a possible miscarriage of justice and examines themes of race, institutional power, and social tensions in contemporary Britain.

Cast and characters

Peter Capaldi stars as DCI Daniel Hegarty, a senior detective, while Cush Jumbo stars as DS June Lenker, a younger detective. Supporting cast members include Stephen Campbell Moore, with additional performers joining in the second season.

Production and release

The series was created by Paul Rutman for Apple TV+. Season 1 premiered on Apple TV+ on 10 January 2024 and consisted of eight episodes. Season 2 premiered on 22 April 2026 and ran to June 2026, continuing the central characters' storyline. Canadian viewers can stream Criminal Record on Apple TV+ in markets where the service is available.

Themes

The series explores race, bias, institutional failure, and conflicts within policing. It presents a procedural crime story with a political and social dimension.

Key facts

  • Criminal Record is a British crime thriller series created by Paul Rutman, starring Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo.
  • The plot follows two London detectives investigating a historic murder case reopened by an anonymous phone call.
  • The series explores themes of race, justice, institutional power, and possible miscarriage of justice.
  • Season 1 premiered on Apple TV+ on 10 January 2024, and Season 2 premiered on 22 April 2026.
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Canadian context

Canadian viewers can stream Criminal Record on Apple TV+ in markets where the service is available, and the series has also attracted attention for its British cast and police-procedure themes familiar to international audiences.

Frequently asked questions

What is Criminal Record?
Criminal Record is a British crime thriller television series about two detectives investigating an old murder case.
Who created Criminal Record?
The series was created by Paul Rutman.
Who stars in Criminal Record?
The main cast includes Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo.
Where is Criminal Record set?
The series is set in London.
When did Criminal Record first premiere?
It premiered on Apple TV+ on 10 January 2024.
How many seasons does Criminal Record have?
It has two seasons.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_Record_(TV_series)
    Supports: Series identity, creator, cast, genre, premiere dates, and second season release.
  2. Apple TV+ — https://tv.apple.com/us/show/criminal-record/umc.cmc.1sbjeoma6tvxgda6l0h4bb0x3
    Supports: Official synopsis, starring cast, runtime, and platform.
  3. Apple TV+ Press — https://www.apple.com/tv-pr/originals/criminal-record/
    Supports: Official series description, creator, cast, and thematic focus.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/criminal_record
    Supports: Genre, original language, network, rating, and release date.
  5. Apple TV (YouTube) — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buvyfKvVWbM
    Supports: Season 2 confirmation, returning cast, and plot direction.