Criminal Record: Clash of detectives exposes policing’s dark heart

The anonymous phone call that opens Criminal Record is a masterclass in tension—low lighting, a raspy voice, and the promise of something rotten beneath London’s polished surface. This isn’t just another detective drama; it’s a battle of ideals wrapped in a cold case murder, pitting two brilliant detectives against each other: DCI Daniel Hegarty (Peter Capaldi), a seasoned cop clinging to old-school methods, and DI June Lenker (Cush Jumbo), a rising star determined to expose the truth. Creator Paul Rutman crafts a series that thrives on contrasts—youth versus experience, progressivism versus tradition—and it’s this friction that makes Criminal Record compelling.

Capaldi and Jumbo are the backbone of the show, delivering performances that anchor the series in authenticity. Capaldi’s Hegarty is a far cry from his more affable roles; here, he’s a prickly, morally ambiguous figure whose loyalty to the force blinds him to its flaws. There’s a palpable tension in every scene he’s in, whether he’s barking orders at his team or engaging in a quiet standoff with Lenker. Capaldi’s ability to convey Hegarty’s inner turmoil—his frustration, his pride, his deep-seated fear of irrelevance—is nothing short of extraordinary. Jumbo, meanwhile, brings a quiet intensity to Lenker, a detective who refuses to be sidelined despite the institutional barriers she faces. Her portrayal of Lenker is nuanced, balancing ambition with vulnerability, and her scenes with Capaldi crackle with unspoken tension.

The supporting cast is equally impressive. Zoë Wanamaker shines as Maureen, Lenker’s mother, adding emotional depth to a character who could have easily been relegated to the sidelines. Stephen Campbell Moore’s Leo Hanratty is a standout, embodying the slippery, self-serving politician with chilling precision. Shaun Dooley as DS Kim Cardwell and Charlie Creed-Miles as DS Tony Gilfoyle provide crucial support, their performances adding layers of complexity to the procedural elements of the story.

Rutman’s writing is sharp and unflinching, tackling themes of justice, corruption, and institutional power with a clarity that sets Criminal Record apart from other crime dramas. The series doesn’t just solve crimes; it interrogates the very institutions meant to uphold justice. This thematic depth is reinforced by the direction of Jim Loach and Shaun James Grant, who use London itself as a character—the grimy streets, the towering institutions—creating a visual language that reinforces the tension between order and chaos.

Where Criminal Record truly excels is in its ability to balance personal drama with broader social commentary. The first season’s focus on an old murder case allows for intimate character studies, while the second season’s pivot from a murder investigation to an undercover operation targeting a far-right bomb plot expands the show’s scope without losing sight of its core themes. This shift is bold and necessary, demonstrating Rutman’s willingness to evolve the series rather than rely on familiar tropes.

Yet for all its strengths, Criminal Record isn’t without flaws. The pacing in the first season occasionally stutters, bogged down by subplots that feel peripheral to the central mystery. The second season tightens this up considerably, but the shift in focus from individual crimes to broader conspiracies means some of the intimate character moments get lost in the shuffle. Additionally, while the show’s exploration of institutional corruption is compelling, it sometimes leans too heavily on familiar tropes, particularly in its portrayal of police politics.

The series also faces stiff competition in a crowded field of British crime dramas. Shows like Line of Duty and Broadchurch have set a high bar for procedural storytelling, and while Criminal Record holds its own with its strong performances and thematic depth, it occasionally struggles to differentiate itself from its peers. That said, the series carves out its own niche by focusing on the personal and professional clashes between its two lead detectives, offering a fresh perspective on the genre.

Ultimately, Criminal Record succeeds because it refuses to offer easy answers. It’s a series that asks difficult questions about power, truth, and the cost of justice—and it does so with style, substance, and standout performances. The tension between Hegarty and Lenker is the heart of the show, driving its narrative forward and grounding its loftier themes in relatable human conflict.

The second season builds on this foundation, deepening the exploration of institutional corruption while maintaining the personal stakes that made the first season so compelling. The addition of new characters like Lyndsey Marshal’s AC Ivy Mullins and Dustin Demri-Burns’ Cosmo Thompson adds fresh layers to the story, expanding its scope without sacrificing the intimate character dynamics that define the series.

In a landscape dominated by formulaic procedurals, Criminal Record stands out as a thoughtful, provocative exploration of justice and power. It’s a show for viewers who crave substance over spectacle, who want their crime dramas to challenge as well as entertain.