There are a lot of crime shows on TV – everything from gentle mysteries and standard police procedurals to shows about old cases and ‘who done it’ stories. Because there are so many good options already, it’s easy for even excellent series to get overlooked. But one of the best, and often forgotten, crime shows from the last few years is back for a second season, and it’s even stronger this time around.
Apple TV+’s Criminal Record might not have gotten as much attention as some of the platform’s more popular shows, but it’s actually one of their strongest. The series combines different types of crime dramas, creating a unique and compelling story that doesn’t easily fit into one specific category.
Honestly, the first season really hooked me because it kept me guessing. It wasn’t just a straightforward cop show. It was dealing with tough stuff like older cops facing new ways of doing things, and a really messed up case where someone was wrongly convicted. I spent the whole time trying to figure out what kind of story it was really telling, and who the show wanted me to side with – it was a brilliant mind game!
The second installment of the series follows DCI Daniel Hegarty (Peter Capaldi) and DS June Lenker (Cush Jumbo) as they’re forced to collaborate on a case that unexpectedly expands into something far more dangerous.
Even though it was discovered that Hegarty fabricated evidence at the end of last season, he wasn’t removed from his position—just transferred. He now works in the intelligence division, where he’s involved in everything from tracking hate groups to monitoring weapons, all in the name of the “greater good.” He seems willing to bend or break the rules to get things done.
Honestly, Lenker feels way more confident now than she did before, and she really trusts her gut. But she’s still dealing with a lot from the first season, especially when it comes to her family – things are complicated with both her husband, Stephen Campbell Moore, and her son, Jordan A. Nash. It’s like the past is still hanging over her head.
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Season two of Criminal Record is a more complex and intense story than the first. It tackles relevant and challenging issues, and as the plot unfolds, viewers see characters making tough choices, surprising connections come to light, and the series prompts us to consider how much we’re willing to sacrifice for security.
I was really hooked by season one of Criminal Records because it dug deep into how the system itself was broken. But season two? Wow, it flips the script! Instead of looking inside the police force, it focuses on what happens when our detectives are forced to deal with the messy world outside it. Things get seriously complicated, and honestly, pretty morally gray. They’re put in these impossible situations and end up having to work with people you definitely wouldn’t trust – it’s a wild ride!
Season two of Criminal Record continues the captivating dynamic of the first season by pairing Hegarty and Lenker, allowing us to see more scenes featuring the brilliant performances of Capaldi and Jumbo together.
Hegarty remains largely unchanged: he’s a complex character, ethically gray, and his stories often take unexpected turns, yet he still manages to be surprisingly endearing. He’s deliberately, and interestingly, difficult to define.
Returning to Hegarty’s influence, and fully aware of his character and methods, Lenker is compelled to face some difficult realities about herself. She reluctantly realizes she shares more similarities with him than she’d care to acknowledge.
The show has wisely cut unnecessary storylines and characters from its first season. Even characters like June’s husband, Leo, now serve mainly to highlight how much June has grown and changed due to everything she’s been through. The show now stays focused on the main characters we’re invested in.
Jumbo continues to play her part well, convincingly shifting between anger and resignation. However, Capaldi truly shines, delivering a powerful and subtle performance that gives the character depth and complexity – something another actor might not have been able to achieve, potentially making the role feel flat and annoying.
Hegarty, as played by Capaldi, is a complex character – secretive, controlling, and frustratingly unpredictable. He’s willing to twist the truth and break the rules to get what he wants. However, Capaldi also portrays a real, though sometimes self-interested, desire for justice. His relentless drive to stop the unfolding events nearly compensates for the questionable and increasingly unethical decisions he makes.
The second season of Criminal Record expertly increases suspense over its eight episodes, slowly uncovering secrets and refusing to offer simple resolutions or tell viewers what to think.
What really makes the show captivating is the strength of the acting, and it leaves you eager to find out what happens next in the story.
Criminal Record season 2 returns to Apple TV on April 22.
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2026-04-22 10:22