Apple TV+ Confirms 'Criminal Record' Will Return for Season 2

The only good thing about the television industry essentially throwing the entire concept of a "limited series" out the window is that sometimes, if we're lucky, a really, really good show gets a second lease on life. Such is the case with Apple TV+'s Criminal Record, a morally complicated crime thriller that was easily one of 2024's best shows and has now officially been renewed for a second season. 

The series stars Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who) and Cush Jumbo (The Beast Must Die) as DCI Daniel Hegarty and DS June Lenker, two police detectives at very different stages in their careers who find themselves at odds when a phone call reignites interest in an old murder case. 

The renewal news isn't all that shocking, given that Jumbo herself pretty much spilled the beans about the series' return months ago during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live. But Apple had steadfastly refused to confirm any gossip about the future of the show until this official announcement. 

The eight-episode first season wrestled with issues of systemic racism, institutional failure, generational conflict, and corruption within the police force, and its ending was not a particularly neat or tidy one, emotionally speaking. While the larger questions of the mystery surrounding Adelaide Burrowes' murder were generally answered, the revelation that Hegarty knowingly manipulated witnesses and evidence left him and Lenker more at odds than ever. But, per the Apple press release, it sounds like the pair are going to have to learn to work together to some extent as the story continues.

Here's how the renewal announcement describes the Season 2 plot. 

In Season 2, June is a senior officer when a political rally is attacked by far-right counter-protesters. The violent clash leaves a young man dead and June, consumed with guilt, is desperate to bring the unknown killer to justice. It seems as if her best hope is Daniel, now a key figure in the shadowy world of police intelligence. He may have the answers she needs, but to get his help, she will have to accept a dangerous bargain.

Capaldi and Jumbo are both returning for Season 2, but it's unclear how much of the first season's cast will be back alongside them. Season 1 included such familiar faces as Zoë Wanamaker (Shadow and Bone), Charlie Creed-Miles (World on Fire), Stephen Campbell Moore (The Confessions of Frannie Langton) and Dionne Brown (Queenie).

Criminal Record is created by BAFTA nominee Paul Rutman (Vera). BAFTA Scotland winner Elaine Collins (Shetland) is joined by Chris Sussman (Trying) as executive producer for Season 2 alongside Rutman, Capaldi and Jumbo. The series is filmed in London and produced for Apple TV+ by Tod Productions and STV Studios.

Season.2 doesn't yet have a premiere date, and it's unlikely that filming will begin before next year, given that Jumbo is about to return to the London stage for the West End transfer of David Tennant's (Good Omens) Olivier-nominated revival of Macbeth. 

Criminal Record Season 1 is currently streaming on Apple TV+.