“Worth every minute”: “Masterful” crime thriller Criminal Record is returning with an "arresting" series 2

Get ready for more dark, twisted stories of murder solving and cover-ups, as masterful crime thriller, Criminal Record, returning for an arresting second series. The first series was worth every minute of our time and the second instalment is shaping up to be another compelling outing, which will reunite lead stars Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo, who play the clashing detective duo, DCI Daniel Hegarty and DS June Lenker.

Series 1, which aired on Apple TV+ to critical acclaim in January 2024,was described as “captivating and deeply disturbing”, and the new series looks set to be just as deliciously dark as the first. While we await the new series' arrival on our screens, here’s everything you need to know about it, including the plot and cast.

What is Criminal Record about?

The crime thriller is set in present-day London, and its opening scenes in series 1 involved an anonymous phone call about a woman’s death that pulled together our two Detectives, DCI Daniel Hegarty (Peter Capaldi) and DS June Lenker (Cush Jumbo). Daniel is the older, slightly cantankerous DCI, while June is the younger detective at the beginning of her career.

With simmering tensions throughout the show, Daniel is revealed to be harbouring many secrets, especially around a miscarriage of justice, putting June in danger as a result. One critic said of the mesmerising actors at the heart of this series: "If ever there is going to be an award invented for best joint performance, make it this year, for them."

What will happen in Criminal Record series 2?

The second series will focus on June, who's covering a political rally when it's attacked by far-right counter-protestors. The violent clash ends up with a young man dying, leaving June, who's “consumed with guilt” to want to bring his killer to justice.

She looks once again to Daniel, who's still a key figure in the shadowy world of police intelligence. He may have the answers she needs, the synopsis teases, but to get his help she will have to accept “a dangerous bargain.” And, of course, we're now desperate to find out what exactly that means.

Who’s starring in Criminal Record series 2?

As we mentioned, we'll see the return of Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo as DCI Daniel Hegarty and DS June Lenker. While the rest of the cast is yet to be confirmed, there’s a good chance we might see some of the following stars making a return:

• Dionne Brown as Detective Constable Chloe Summers
• Shaun Dooley as Detective Sergeant Kim Cardwell
• Stephen Campbell Moore as Leo Hanratty
• Zoë Wanamaker as Maureen

Is Criminal Record any good?

Yes – and Peter and Cush were singled out for particular praise. One critic called them “a scintillating focal point”, adding that it was a “mystery that only gets more intriguing as it unfolds.” We say it’s well worth a watch if you missed it first time around, and strap in for the second series.

How can I watch Criminal Record series 2?

Apple TV+ only announced the second series in August 2024, so while there’s no exact release date for the follow-on series just yet, it’s likely to be released sometime in 2026. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here.