Apple TV+ took the crime-drama world by surprise last year with Criminal Record, a tightly wound thriller that paired Peter Capaldi’s battle-hardened DCI Daniel Hegarty with Cush Jumbo’s crusading DS June Lenker.
After an eight-episode first run that scored a 90 percent Rotten Tomatoes rating and ended on a tantalizing moral stalemate, the streamer wasted no time ordering a second series. Here’s the latest intel on where Season 2 stands, what it’s about, and when you can expect to press play.
Release Date & Production Status
- Filming is underway in London as of mid-June 2025. Location units have been spotted around Lambeth, Hammersmith Bridge, and a decommissioned magistrates’ court doubling as police HQ.
- Apple still lists the season as “Coming Soon,” but the current shoot window lines up with the platform’s typical nine-to-ten-month post-production cycle. A late-autumn 2025 premiere—likely October or early November—looks increasingly plausible.
- Expect Apple’s marketing engine to roll out a teaser in late summer, followed by a two-episode launch and weekly drops—mirroring the release rhythm of Season 1.
Storyline: A Riot, a Murder, and Uneasy Alliances
Season 2 opens in the aftermath of a violent clash between anti-racism protesters and a far-right splinter group outside a political rally. When a young Black student is killed, newly promoted DI June Lenker takes point on the investigation. Hegarty, now posted to police intelligence, is forced back into her orbit when surveillance footage suggests the murder ties to one of his long-buried informants. The pair must navigate:
- Political Pressure: City Hall wants a quick resolution before a snap election.
- Institutional Resistance: Hegarty’s old allies in “Intel” aren’t thrilled about reopening old dossiers.
- Public Scrutiny: Viral phone videos and a relentless true-crime podcast turn every misstep into headline fodder.
Returning Cast & Potential New Faces
| Character | Actor | Season 2 Role Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| DCI Daniel Hegarty | Peter Capaldi | Reassigned to intelligence; haunted by informant-turned–suspect. |
| DI June Lenker | Cush Jumbo | Leads the riot-murder task force; juggling leadership and personal safety. |
| Maureen | Zoë Wanamaker | Civil-rights lawyer now representing the victim’s family. |
| Tony Gilfoyle | Charlie Creed-Miles | Underworld fixer with ties to far-right financiers. |
| New TBA | Casting underway for a maverick investigative journalist and a rookie officer embedded with Lenker’s team. |
Creative Team & Production Upgrades
Showrunner Paul Rutman heads a returning writers’ room focused on “radical empathy” and contemporary policing. Directors Jim Loach and Shaun James Grant are back, this time shooting on the Sony Venice 2 to capture night-riot sequences in native 6K. Composer Neil Davidge promises a darker, bass-heavier score inspired by 1990s Bristol trip-hop.
How Season 2 Fits Apple TV+’s 2025 Slate
Apple has doubled down on U.K. originals—see Slow Horses, Shantaram’s London arc, and the upcoming Guy Ritchie series—positioning Criminal Record as its prestige police procedural. Expect cross-promos with other British titles and an aggressive awards-season push, especially for Capaldi, who landed a BAFTA nomination for Season 1.
Why You Should Catch Up Now
Season 1 ends with Hegarty and Lenker reaching an uneasy détente after exposing a decades-old miscarriage of justice. The new season raises the stakes: institutional rot, political extremism, and the weaponization of digital evidence. Binge the first eight episodes to track every callback—Lenker’s whistle-blower hotline, Hegarty’s estranged daughter, and those still-unanswered questions about missing witness Vanetta Osei—all of which resurface in the new case.
Stay tuned: the moment Apple drops the first trailer, the release date clock starts ticking. Until then, sharpen your theories—Criminal Record is about to reopen its most explosive file yet.
Key Takeaways
- Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo are both back for season two of “Criminal Record” on Apple TV+.
- The story picks up right where it left off, with our two detectives still clashing over how to do the job.
- The original crew, including writer Paul Rutman, is returning for the new season.
Overview of Apple TV+ Criminal Record (S2)
Apple TV+ has renewed the acclaimed thriller “Criminal Record” for another season. The show’s picking up right where it left off, following two detectives who can’t seem to agree on much of anything as they work their way through London’s tangled justice system.
Plot Summary
Season two picks up the threads from last time, with Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Hegarty and Detective Sergeant June Lenker still circling each other. Set in modern London, the show keeps the focus on these two—both sharp, but with wildly different styles when it comes to police work.
This time around, there’ll be new cases to crack, but the show isn’t shying away from the bigger problems within law enforcement. Expect more ethical gray areas, more tough choices, and probably a few moments that’ll make you wonder whose side you’re really on.
The stakes are getting more personal, too, for both leads. As their careers (and lives outside work) get messier, London’s gritty streets are just as much a part of the story as any character.
Main Cast and Characters
Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo are back in the lead roles for season two. Capaldi’s Detective Chief Inspector Hegarty is still old-school and, well, not exactly squeaky clean. Jumbo’s Detective Sergeant Lenker is younger, more idealistic, and not afraid to dig for the truth—even when it puts her in the line of fire.
Returning Cast:
- Peter Capaldi (DCI Daniel Hegarty)
- Cush Jumbo (DS June Lenker)
- Most of the supporting cast from season one (fingers crossed)
Both Capaldi and Jumbo are executive producers too, so you know they’re invested. Their performances last season got a lot of love from critics, and honestly, the tension between them is a big part of what makes the show tick.
Their back-and-forth—sometimes icy, sometimes explosive—really keeps things unpredictable.
Release Date and Streaming Availability
So, Apple TV+ has confirmed season two, but they’re keeping the exact release date under wraps for now. Since the renewal was announced in August 2024, production should be moving along.
If you’re guessing, mid or late 2025 seems likely for the premiere. The first season had eight episodes, and there’s a good chance season two will be about the same.
“Criminal Record” is still exclusive to Apple TV+, so you’ll need a subscription. If you missed season one, now’s the time to catch up before the new episodes hit.
Apple TV+ keeps stacking its lineup with original content, and “Criminal Record” definitely holds its own among the platform’s bigger dramas.
Key Themes and Reception
“Criminal Record” keeps digging into tough topics like police corruption and racial bias in its second season, and the lead performances are as strong as ever—maybe even better.
Critical Reviews and Audience Response
Season two is sitting at a 90% score on Rotten Tomatoes, so the critics are still on board. The cat-and-mouse tension between Capaldi and Jumbo gets called out a lot in the reviews, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with that.
Fans seem to appreciate the show’s willingness to take an unflinching look at the problems inside London’s police force. It’s not all car chases and shootouts—there’s a lot about evidence tampering, internal politics, and those little decisions that add up to something bigger.
Online, there’s been plenty of chatter about the show’s pacing and the moody, atmospheric cinematography. People are into it.
Character Development and Story Arcs
Capaldi’s Daniel Hegarty is getting even more complicated this season. He’s still a big deal in police intelligence, but the show’s digging deeper into his moral gray areas. Capaldi brings a lot of subtlety to a character who’s always walking a fine line.
Jumbo’s June Lenker has her own battles. She’s more determined than ever to call out corruption, even if it means putting herself in danger.
This season, some of the supporting cast get more time to shine, too. A few new backstories add layers to the main conflict, making the whole thing feel richer and more lived-in.
Season two also weaves in some cold cases that tie back to the present. The writers have done a nice job keeping the storylines tangled but not confusing, which is harder than it sounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here’s a quick rundown of what people are asking about the next season of Criminal Record on Apple TV+. If you’re waiting for more episodes with Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo, you’re not alone.
When is the release date for Season 2 of Criminal Record on Apple TV+?
There’s no official release date for season two yet. The renewal just got announced, so we’re probably a ways off from a premiere date.
Season one dropped on January 10, 2024, so maybe we’ll see a similar winter release for season two? Early 2025 isn’t out of the question.
Who are the cast members featuring in the second season of Criminal Record on Apple TV+?
The big news is that Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo are both back, and they’re still executive producers. As for the rest of the cast, nothing’s been confirmed yet. Expect more details as production ramps up.
How can I watch Season 2 of Criminal Record?
Season two will be streaming only on Apple TV+. You’ll need a subscription, but the app’s available on iPhones, iPads, Apple TV boxes, smart TVs, and a bunch of other devices.
Has Criminal Record been renewed for a second season?
Yep, it’s official—Criminal Record is coming back for season two. Fans are pretty happy about it, and honestly, the critical praise probably helped seal the deal.
What is the total number of episodes for Criminal Record Season 2?
No word yet on how many episodes we’re getting this time. Season one had eight, so it’s a safe bet season two will be in the same ballpark. We’ll have to wait for official confirmation, though.
Is there an official trailer for Season 2 of Criminal Record available online?
Nope, there’s no official trailer for Criminal Record Season 2 out there yet. Honestly, production hasn’t even kicked off, so there’s nothing to show—no footage, nothing.
Usually, Apple drops teasers or full trailers just a couple of months before a show’s release. If they stick to their usual playbook, you might see something 2-3 months ahead of the premiere. Until then, we’ll just have to wait it out like everyone else.
