Review: Apple TV’s Criminal Record is exceptional ☆☆☆☆☆

Criminal Record is the latest, first class drama from Apple TV+. As streaming platforms go, nothing rivals the quality of productions and the calibre of talent.

This particular drama is no exception. With similar vibes to Luther and Top Boy with a dash of Line of Duty, this is intelligent, dark and will keep you on your toes until the very last moments. You’ll be desperate to watch episode after episode, it’s that good.

Apple say “Criminal Record” is a powerful, character-driven drama set in the heart of contemporary London. An anonymous phone call draws two brilliant detectives into a confrontation over an old murder case – one a young woman in the early stages of her career, the other a well-connected man determined to protect his legacy. The series touches on issues of race, institutional failure and the quest to find common ground in a polarised Britain. 

Starring Capaldi as Detective Chief Inspector Daniel Hegarty and Jumbo as Detective Sergeant June Lenker, the cast of “Criminal Record” also features Charlie Creed-Miles (“King Arthur,” “Wild Bill”), Dionne Brown (“Queenie”), Shaun Dooley (“Official Secret,” “The Woman in Black,” “The Awakening”), Stephen Campbell Moore (“The Bank Job,” “Masters of the Air”), Zoë Wanamaker (“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “My Week with Marilyn”), Rasaq Kukoyi (“Andor,” “His House”), Maisie Ayres, Aysha Kala (“The Undeclared War”), BAFTA TV Award winner Cathy Tyson (“Help”) and Tom Moutchi (“Famalam,” “The Hustle”). 

As well as cinematic production, a fantastic narrative and unfaultable script, what elevates Criminal Record above other crime dramas is the cast. Peter Capaldi and Cush Jumbo are absolutely magnetic. The dynamic between them is captivating and the kind of ‘cat and mouse’ situation they find themselves in is gripping to say the least.

It’s dark, it’s vile and it’s twisted. Lines are delivered with such conviction and spite, sometimes it will leave you open mouthed and other times, the razor sharp wit will have you laughing and cheering for the good guys who aren’t just going to sit back and take any shit.

Just what is Capaldi’s smarmy character hiding? Is he a bad guy or is he really good at heart? He plays it so well, you won’t know until the closing credits on the final episode. Jumbo too, is magnificent. Her character June will frustrate you, warm you, disappoint you… you name it, she’s going to draw you in all the way.

If they can find a way to make a season 2, they need to do it, and quickly.

Criminal Record is worth an Apple TV+ subscription alone, but lets not forget you’ll also be able to watch series like Slow Horses, The Morning Show and Masters of the Air too.

The first two episodes of “Criminal Record” premiered Jan. 10 on Apple TV+ with new episodes dropping weekly on Wednesdays.