Season 2 of a former Doctor Who actor’s crime thriller on Apple TV has gotten off to a strong start in terms of critical reception. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive. As such, it has garnered a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score, much higher than the score recorded by the previous installment.
What critics are saying about Criminal Record Season 2
Critical reviews for Criminal Record Season 2 on Apple TV, starring Doctor Who’s Peter Capaldi, are positive. All praise the performances, storytelling, and tonal structure, with some even deeming it a step up from the inaugural outing.
Sarah Dempster of The Guardian praised the performances of Capaldi and his co-star Cush Jumbo, deeming the former the series’ “heart” and the latter “excellent.” She also lauded the narrative, labeling it “relatively straightforward and beautifully paced.”
Meanwhile, The Spool‘s Tim Stevens said that Capaldi, Jumbo, and Dustin Demri-Burns’ performances made Season 2 “as compelling” as Season 1. He also commended creator Paul Rutman and the team for deftly capturing the show’s main theme. He said they “perfectly convey how the devil gets you to willingly hand over your soul, bit by bit.”
Archi Sengupta of Leisure Byte highlighted Capaldi and Jumbo’s captivating performances, calling them the series’ “anchor[s].” Additionally, she praised the series for raising the stakes, which she found “interesting.” She also highlighted the depth given to the two leads’ characters — DCI Daniel Hegarty and DS June Lenker. Sengupta also drew attention to the storyline mirroring the real world, pointing to the “socio-political tension.”
Ricky Valero of FandomWire lauded Hegarty and Lenker’s dynamic, saying it “continues to drive” the Apple TV series. He also called the second entry a step up from the first: “If you were a fan ofCriminal Recordseason 1, you are in for an absolute treat with an even better second season,” he promised. “The perfect balance of acting, writing, and execution.”
Criminal Record Season 2 gets a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes
Criminal Record Season 2 has received a perfect 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on five reviews. This will no doubt change once more comes in.
Accordingly, the score is higher than Season 1‘s, which has an impressive yet lower “certified fresh” 90% and a 64% audience rating.
Season 2 premiered on April 22, 2026, on Apple TV. New episodes will drop weekly until June 10.
