Prime Video’s New Crime Show Could Outshine Guy Ritchie

Prime Video is launching a fresh take on crime drama that could eclipse the buzz around Guy Ritchie’s own projects. The series, titled “Criminal,” adapts the Image Comics title by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, following Leo—a young man who tries to avoid his violent family legacy by planning non‑violent crimes.

“Criminal” also offers a lineup of distinct personalities: Ivan, a former thief with dementia; Jenny, an Internal Affairs detective who acts as Leo’s surrogate mother; and Tracy Lawless, a former Army Special Forces operative turned criminal.

Charlie Hunnam leads the cast, connecting him subtly to Ritchie’s The Gentlemen. The show’s comic‑book roots give it a layered storytelling approach, potentially giving it an edge over Ritchie’s more linear narratives.

Ritchie’s reputation spans quirky detective vibes in his Sherlock adaptations and hard‑knock action in films like Wrath of Man. His recent releases—The Gentlemen (2019), Operation Fortune: Ruse de Gauerre (2023), and the upcoming Fountain of Youth (2025)—show a director who loves mixing humor with danger. On television, Ritchie has carved out a niche with shows like MobLand (Paramount+) and Prime Video’s Young Sherlock, both noted for sharp dialogue, fast pacing, and memorable characters.

In a crowded streaming landscape, Criminal could become the unexpected heavyweight that challenges Ritchie’s dominance in crime‑drama. Only time will tell if its comic origins and complex characters resonate as powerfully with audiences as his past work.