Prime Video’s Criminal trailer has arrived, and it promises a dark, character-driven crime drama with high stakes, family secrets, and a bruising emotional core. Based on the acclaimed graphic novels by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, Criminal looks set to become one of the platform’s most talked-about TV releases of early 2027.
The newly unveiled teaser and first-look images introduce an interconnected world of outlaws, old wounds, and dangerous loyalties. With Charlie Hunnam, Luke Evans, Emilia Clarke, Adria Arjona, and Gus Halper leading the cast, the Criminal trailer signals a stylish adaptation that blends noir storytelling with modern prestige television ambition.
Criminal trailer sets up an interlocking crime universe
What makes this series stand out is its “interlocking universe” structure. Rather than telling a single straightforward story, Criminal unfolds across connected crime narratives, reflecting the layered storytelling that made the original comics so popular.
Prime Video will split the season into two parts:
- Criminal Part One: Coward premieres January 13, 2027
- Criminal Part Two: Lawless premieres January 27, 2027
Each part contains four episodes, and both will launch exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories. That release plan suggests a tightly structured binge model, giving viewers two connected arcs within the same month.
What the Prime Video Criminal series is about
At the center of the story are Leo Patterson, played by Charlie Hunnam, and Ricky Lawless, played by Gus Halper. They are lifelong friends shaped by crime, but heading in very different directions. Leo wants out of the world that raised him, while Ricky is drawn deeper into it, eager to live up to his family’s outlaw reputation.
The tension intensifies when Ricky’s older brother Tracy Lawless, played by Luke Evans, returns home after years away in the Army. His homecoming forces buried trauma and unfinished business back into the open.
According to the story setup, the drama also pulls in:
- Greta (Adria Arjona), a sharp and streetwise car thief tied to Leo’s past
- Mallory (Emilia Clarke), Ricky’s girlfriend, who fears how far he may go to survive
The result, as teased in the Criminal trailer, is a world of gunfights, heists, fractured families, and tragic romance.
Part One: Coward
The first chapter centers on long-buried family secrets, a childhood murder, and a botched heist that drags Leo and Ricky back toward a past they cannot escape. This setup points to a tense, morally gray noir thriller where the consequences of old choices keep resurfacing.
Part Two: Lawless
The second chapter shifts its focus more directly to Tracy Lawless. Twenty years earlier, he chose military service over prison and left that life behind. But when Ricky gets in over his head, Tracy is forced to return and confront what being a Lawless truly means. For fans of crime family dramas, that premise gives the Criminal trailer extra intrigue.
Charlie Hunnam, Emilia Clarke and Luke Evans headline a stacked cast
The cast is one of the biggest reasons this adaptation is generating attention. Charlie Hunnam brings proven grit and emotional intensity, while Luke Evans appears poised to deliver the hardened edge needed for Tracy Lawless. Emilia Clarke and Adria Arjona add emotional weight and complexity to a story that is not just about crime, but about survival and damaged relationships.
The wider ensemble includes Richard Jenkins, Kadeem Hardison, John Hawkes, and Logan Browning, with recurring and guest appearances from Michael Mando, Garrett Hedlund, Patrick J. Adams, Pat Healy, Katie Stevens, Chris Diamantopoulos, and more.
That kind of lineup suggests Prime Video is positioning Criminal as a major dramatic event rather than a niche comic-book adaptation.
Why the Criminal trailer matters for graphic novel adaptations
The Criminal trailer also reflects a broader trend: prestige streaming platforms are increasingly turning to graphic novels for grounded, mature storytelling. Unlike superhero-heavy comic adaptations, Criminal leans into noir, crime fiction, and deeply flawed characters.
That distinction matters. Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips have long been celebrated for sophisticated crime storytelling, and their work has influenced readers well beyond the comics world. If Prime Video captures that tone, the series could appeal to:
- Fans of neo-noir television
- Viewers who enjoy ensemble crime dramas
- Audiences looking for darker, adult-oriented comic adaptations
- Subscribers drawn to star-led prestige series
The first-look images reinforce that promise, showing a moody, lived-in world that appears visually grounded rather than overly stylized.
Creative team behind Prime Video’s Criminal
Behind the camera, the project has serious creative firepower. Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are onboard as executive producers, alongside Philipp A. Barnett, Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck, Jordan Harper, Sarah Carbiener, Dee Rees, and Halley Gross. Cortney Norris and Minhal Baig serve as co-executive producers.
The series is produced by Amazon MGM Studios together with Basement Gang, Big Indie Pictures, Gowanus Projections, and Legendary Television Productions. That combination of comic creators, prestige TV talent, and major studio backing adds credibility to the adaptation.
Release date, platform and what to expect next
For viewers tracking major streaming premieres, the key details are simple:
- Platform: Prime Video
- Part One release: January 13, 2027
- Part Two release: January 27, 2027
- Availability: More than 240 countries and territories
As more footage and character details emerge, interest in the Criminal trailer is likely to grow. The combination of noir atmosphere, literary source material, and recognizable stars gives this series a strong chance of breaking out in the crowded streaming landscape.
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Conclusion
The Criminal trailer offers a compelling first look at a series that could become one of Prime Video’s standout crime dramas. With Charlie Hunnam at the center, a richly connected story world, and source material beloved for its noir edge, Criminal has all the ingredients of a gripping January launch. For anyone who enjoys layered crime storytelling with emotional bite, this is one 2027 release worth watching closely.
