Criminal Record

After hearing a recorded call to the police from an anonymous victim of domestic abuse, who claims her boyfriend was responsible for a previous murder, Apple TV+’s latest crime series Criminal Record sees London police officer Judy Lekner (Cush Jumbo) investigate further. Her inquiries soon put her in the path of seasoned officer Daniel Hegerty (Peter Capaldi), a cold and hateful man who seems to have a more sinister connection to the case. The pair begin playing psychological mind games with each other as Lekner strives to uncover the truth.

On its surface, Criminal Record is much like any other genre affair. Each episode unveils new and unexpected twists that take viewers further into the central mystery. While there are plenty of thrills to be found within this series, the main draw here is Jumbo and Capaldi’s outstanding performances. From the opening scene in which Capaldi’s Hegerty drives a couple through the streets of London, the actor oozes a bitterness forged over years of being a detective. He’s a menacing presence who makes for a dangerous adversary, and Capaldi relishes every second of it.

Even paired with a force as formidable as Capaldi, Jumbo holds her own throughout. She successfully carries many of the scenes, delivering some remarkably powerful emotional moments when required. But it’s when the pair are together that the real magic happens: each play off one another perfectly as they try and stay one step ahead of the other while hiding their intentions behind friendly smiles.

The show itself might not break any new ground in terms of its writing, but the script does weave themes of prejudice and institutional racism seamlessly into the action to give an added level of depth to the drama. An argument between Judy and her husband about being assertive draws attention to differences she faces at work as a Black woman, while a remark about diversity from Hegerty reveals his discontent towards modern policing.

Although viewers will initially be gripped by Criminal Record’s compelling (if somewhat familiar) plot, it’s Capaldi and Cush’s captivating performances that will keep audiences glued to their screens throughout this Apple TV+ thriller.

Andrew Murray

Criminal Record is released on Apple TV+ on 10^th January 2024.

Watch the trailer for Criminal Record here: