Apple TV officially revealed the first look and premiere date for the second season of Criminal Record, the critically acclaimed crime thriller starring and executive produced by Peter Capaldi and starring Cush Jumbo. The new season will premiere globally on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, with one episode released weekly through June 10. Following the success of its first season, Criminal Record returns with a more intense and politically charged storyline that pushes its central characters into deeper moral and emotional conflict.
Season one introduced audiences to Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Hegarty and Detective Sergeant June Lenker, two officers bound by an uneasy partnership inside London’s complex justice system. Their relationship was defined by mistrust, buried secrets, and opposing views of authority. The second season expands that dynamic, placing both characters at the center of a case that rapidly escalates beyond a conventional investigation.
The Political Case at the Center of Season Two
The new season opens with a violent stabbing at a political rally, a moment that immediately shifts the tone of the series. What appears at first to be an isolated attack soon reveals links to extremist groups and hidden networks operating across the city. As Hegarty and Lenker follow the trail, they uncover a planned bombing that threatens to destabilize London and expose fractures within the police force itself.
This case forces both detectives to operate under constant pressure, with every decision carrying public consequences. The story leans into the tension between duty and belief, showing how political forces can distort justice and compromise those sworn to protect it.
How the Series Expands Its World
Season two broadens the scope of Criminal Record beyond the closed spaces of interrogation rooms and police offices. The narrative now stretches across public demonstrations, political backrooms, and covert operations, reflecting a city shaped by fear, division, and shifting power structures.
The series maintains its grounded realism while introducing a wider cast of characters who represent different sides of the social and political spectrum. Each new figure adds another layer to the investigation, blurring the lines between victim, suspect, and conspirator.
Returning Performances and New Faces
Peter Capaldi returns as Daniel Hegarty, continuing to portray a character defined by authority, complexity, and internal conflict. Cush Jumbo reprises her role as June Lenker, whose determination and moral clarity remain central to the series.
Season two also introduces new cast members, including Dustin Demri-Burns, Luca Pasqualino, Luther Ford, Lyndsey Marshal, and Peter Sullivan. Their presence expands the narrative and introduces new tensions that reshape the direction of the investigation.
Creative Direction and Narrative Tone
Criminal Record is created and written by Paul Rutman, with direction by Ben A. Williams and Joelle Mae David. The creative team continues to emphasize character-driven storytelling, allowing quiet moments and unresolved tensions to shape the pacing.
The visual language remains restrained and atmospheric, using shadows, silence, and space to convey emotional weight. Rather than relying on spectacle, the series builds tension through dialogue, body language, and the gradual unveiling of truth.
Criminal Record represents Apple TV’s ongoing investment in grounded, intelligent crime dramas that prioritize storytelling over formula. The second season deepens the show’s themes of power, accountability, and personal responsibility, offering a reflection of contemporary society through a fictional lens.
By expanding its scope while staying rooted in character, the series strengthens its identity and sets the stage for future stories within its world.
