Charlie Hunnam Stars in Prime Video's Criminal Adaptation
Actor Charlie Hunnam takes the lead in Prime Video's adaptation of the award-winning comic series Criminal, bringing a blend of high-stakes heists and crime drama.
Published 7 November 2026
Charlie Hunnam Returns to Crime Thrillers
Nearly two decades after the premiere of Sons of Anarchy, actor Charlie Hunnam is returning to the crime genre as one of the main leads in the upcoming Prime Video series Criminal. Hunnam, who famously portrayed Jax Teller, is also slated to appear in an upcoming Sons of Anarchy spin-off titled Legends.
Beyond his past work, Hunnam has established a strong reputation for starring in gritty crime projects like The Gentlemen. His involvement in Criminal has generated significant anticipation among fans of the genre.
Adapting an Award-Winning Comic Series
The upcoming streaming show is based on the acclaimed comic book series of the same name. Created, written, and illustrated across its installments by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, the source material provides a rich foundation for the new adaptation.
The narrative explores a vast shared underworld where multiple generations of criminal families connect through heists and persistent cycles of violence.
Creator Involvement as a Major Advantage
Many television adaptations of graphic novels struggle by straying from their source material and excluding original creators. However, Prime Video's Criminal takes a direct approach by having comic writer Ed Brubaker serve as co-showrunner alongside novelist Jordan Harper.
With Brubaker directly guiding the production, the series is well-positioned to maintain the integrity and tone of his award-winning comics.
Season 1 Arcs and Character Roles
In the television adaptation, Charlie Hunnam is cast as a clever yet exceedingly careful thief who avoids violence during his operations. Season 1 will adapt two prominent story arcs from the comics titled Coward and Lawless.
While the Coward storyline centers on a heist that goes wrong, the Lawless arc features Luke Evans and Emilia Clarke leading a narrative about a man trying to rescue his brother.
A Promising First Trailer and Star-Studded Cast
The first promotional trailer for the series has debuted, highlighting high-stakes robbery sequences drawing comparisons to heist thrillers like Money Heist. The R-rated violence and betrayal themes also evoke the tone of Sons of Anarchy.
Alongside Hunnam and Emilia Clarke, the ensemble cast includes Adria Arjona, Michael Mando, Richard Jenkins, John Hawkes, Gus Halper, Kadeem Hardison, and Logan Browning.
Production Background and Release Details
Amazon greenlit the action-crime series in 2024. The production is set for release on January 13, 2027, exclusively on Prime Video.
With enough source material available for at least three full seasons, the project has the potential to become one of the streaming platform's premier offerings.
News Overview
Charlie Hunnam is set to star in Prime Video's adaptation of the comic series Criminal, scheduled for release on January 13, 2027. Co-showrunner Ed Brubaker is directly involved in bringing his award-winning stories to the screen alongside an ensemble cast.
Key facts
- Charlie Hunnam stars in Criminal
- Criminal is a Prime Video series
- Release date is January 13, 2027
- Comics written by Ed Brubaker and illustrated by Sean Phillips
- Co-showrunners are Ed Brubaker and Jordan Harper
- Amazon greenlit the series in 2024
- Season 1 adapts Coward and Lawless arcs