The British crime drama has drawn comparisons to beloved favourites Line of Duty and Broadchurch thanks to its gripping storyline and acclaimed performances08:49, 18 Jun 2026Telly fans have much to be excited about, with this gripping crime drama earning impressive ratings, placing it firmly alongside beloved British hits Line of Duty and Broadchurch.‌Much like Broadchurch, the TV series centres on two detectives who are perpetually arguing, owing to their wildly contrasting personalities.‌Criminal Record is a British crime drama created by Paul Rutman, starring Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo as the two lead detectives. Capaldi portrays DCI Daniel Hegarty, the experienced old hand, while Jumbo takes on the role of the relative newcomer, DS June Lenker, and their differing levels of experience have them continuously butting heads as they investigate a murder case.‌That is, until a mysterious anonymous phone call steers them towards the answers they've been desperately seeking. The caller alleged that her violent boyfriend had murdered one of his former girlfriends years earlier, while an innocent man languishes in prison, serving a lengthy sentence for a crime she knows he didn't commit.One devoted viewer wrote a glowing review on Rotten Tomatoes, where the series holds an impressive overall rating of 92%. It reads: "Great show! The writing and story was excellent. The actors were believable with some performances high quality (Cush Jumbo).‌"This is a great example of a show that keeps you interested the whole time with great pacing and characters - and doesn't need extra violence, sex or language. Well done."Another enthusiastic viewer shared: "One of the best series I've seen. Impeccable acting. Amazing script. It kept me guessing. Wow!"Series one comprises eight episodes, rendering it ideal for binge-viewing, and debuted on the streaming service in 2024. Subsequently, following considerable anticipation, season two arrived on April 22, 2026, with devotees swiftly declaring it equally impressive, if not superior to the inaugural series.‌Regarding season two, a fan wrote: "The acting is fantastic this season. They took the show to a new level and had some interesting family themes and struggles. I really enjoy Criminal Record, they have created a dark and mysterious side to police and intelligence."Another said they "love" British crime series, and Criminal Record represents "another one" that television enthusiasts ought to include on their essential viewing lists.Article continues belowThe creative force behind the programme is Paul Rutman, who has established his reputation within British television over the past decade, contributing to some of the most celebrated shows recently within the crime genre. He's particularly recognised for his contributions to Indian Summers, Vera, Next of Kin and The Deep and has secured nominations for multiple BAFTA TV awards.With Rutman steering the production, the programme continues to captivate audiences, with one viewer stating: "One of the best series I've seen. Impeccable acting. Amazing script. It kept me guessing. Wow!".All episodes of Criminal Record are now available to delve into exclusively on Apple TV.