Prime Suspect (American TV series) explained

Genre:Police procedural
Drama
Creator:Lynda La Plante
Developer:Alexandra Cunningham
Starring:Maria Bello
Brian O'Byrne
Kirk Acevedo
Peter Gerety
Tim Griffin
Damon Gupton
Kenny Johnson
Elizabeth Rodriguez
Aidan Quinn
Executive Producer:John McNamara
Alexandra Cunningham
Peter Berg
Sarah Aubrey
Julie Meldal-Johnson
Paul Buccieri
Lynda La Plante
Company:ITV Studios America
Film 44
Universal Television
Open 4 Business Productions
Producer:Alexandra Cunningham
Nan Bernstein Freed
Country:United States
Language:English
Camera:Multi-camera film
Cinematography:Todd McMullen
Network:NBC
Last Aired:[1]
Num Seasons:1
Num Episodes:13

Prime Suspect is an American police procedural drama television series that aired on NBC from September 22, 2011, to January 22, 2012.[2] It stars Maria Bello as Detective Jane Timoney. The series was a "re-imagining"[3] of the original British series Prime Suspect.[4] The series was created by Lynda La Plante and developed by Alexandra Cunningham, who also serves as executive producer and writer. Peter Berg serves as executive producer and director. Sarah Aubrey, Julie Meldal-Johnson, Paul Buccieri, Lynda La Plante, and John McNamara all serve as executive producers. The series is produced by Universal Television, ITV Studios America, and Film 44.

On November 14, 2011, NBC announced it would replace Prime Suspect in the Thursday night line-up with The Firm, beginning January 12, 2012.[5] [6] The final two produced episodes were broadcast by NBC on Sunday, January 22, 2012.[7] The Firm also struggled in the time slot, and was moved within four weeks to a different time slot and replaced by another new series, Awake; Awake was another ratings failure, and all three series were cancelled that season.

Synopsis

Produced by Peter Berg and Alexandra Cunningham, the crime drama Prime Suspect takes place within a New York City Police Department homicide squad. The series stars Maria Bello as NYPD homicide detective Jane Timoney, an outsider who has just transferred to a new squad where her new colleagues already dislike her. Jane is confident and focused, but also rude, abrupt and occasionally reckless. She has her vices, and rumors about how she got the job follow her everywhere.[8]

Cast and characters

Development and production

An American remake of the UK series was previously ordered by NBC in September 2009 as part of a two-year, three pilot deal with ITV Studios. Hank Steinberg, the creator of the CBS Without a Trace series, was set to write and executive produce the two-hour pilot. In early 2010, Erwin Stoff and Paul Buccieri were to also serve as executive producers—for ITV Studios and Universal Media Studios—and Mick Jackson was on board to direct. By late February, the project was put on hold because reportedly an actress could not be found to play the lead character. In July 2010, Universal Media Studios signed a new deal with Film 44, the production company of Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey. As part of the agreement, they took over the development of Prime Suspect. "We are proud to continue our productive creative relationship with Peter and Sarah in developing Prime Suspect, among others… They have immense talent and passion".[9] In early 2011, NBC gave the green light to produce a pilot script.[9] In late May, NBC announced that Prime Suspect would premiere on Thursday September 22, 2011.[10]

It was announced in early August that Maria Bello would star as the main character of Det. Jane Timoney.[9] The series was filmed in Los Angeles although it is set in New York City.[11]

Ratings

No. Title Air Date 18–49 Rating U.S. Viewers
(in millions) 		Timeslot Rank Reference
1 "Pilot" 1.8 6.05
  1. 3
[12]
2 "Carnivorous Sheep" 1.5 5.69
  1. 3
[13]
3 "Bitch" 1.5 5.04
  1. 3
[14]
4 "Great Guy, Yet Dead" 1.3 4.50
  1. 3
[15]
5 "Regrets, I've Had a Few" 1.1 4.03
  1. 3
[16]
6 "Shame" 1.2 4.51
  1. 3
[17]
7 "Wednesday's Child" 1.3 4.86
  1. 3
[18]
8 "Underwater" 1.1 4.39
  1. 2
[19]
9 "Gone to Pieces" 1.3 4.69
  1. 2
[20]
10 "A Gorgeous Mosaic" 0.9 3.70
  1. 2
[21]
11 "The Great Wall of Silence" 1.0 4.44
  1. 2
[22]
12 "Ain't No Sunshine" 0.8 4.31
  1. 3
[23]
13 "Stuck in the Middle with You" 0.7 3.65
  1. 3

Reception

The series premiere was viewed by 6.05 million viewers with a 1.8 rating in the 18–49 demographic.[24] The series has received generally positive reviews from critics and viewers. The series received 66/100 based upon 26 reviews on the website Metacritic indicating the series as generally favourable.[25] Most critics found Maria Bello's performance the strongest factor of the series praising her excellent and intriguing portrayal of Det. Jane Timoney. Mo Fathelbab of BuzzFocus said, "I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the American version of Prime Suspect is my favorite new hour-long show on network television. It may very well be the best new show premiering this fall. It's a smart, un-condescending cop show that is anchored by a fantastic performance by Maria Bello".[26] Eric Blattberg said, "What makes Prime Suspect compelling enough to see where this show goes is its remarkable cast. This show is not actually bad at all; it's an enjoyable hour, but it's going to need a lot of work to avoid being lost in the shuffle amongst other established police shows. Not to mention the fact that it's up against Thursday heavyweights".[27]

On October 4, 2011, NBC announced that the show's first three episodes would be rerun on Monday nights for the month of October, following the cancellation of The Playboy Club.[28]

International distribution

CountryChannelPremiere date
AustraliaNine Network28 September 2011[29]
Canada (English)Global TV22 September 2011[30]
Canada / Quebec (French)Séries+ (As Suspect No 1)May 29, 2012[31]
New ZealandTV OneAutumn 2011[32]
ItalyFox Crime17 May 2012[33]
Universal Channel18 June 2012[34]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Prime Suspect on NBC . 2012-02-04 . 2012-09-14 . https://archive.today/20120914040624/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/prime-suspect . live .
  2. Web site: Seidman. Robert. NBC Announces Fall Premiere Dates - 'Chuck,' 'Grimm' Premiere October 21; Early Premiere for 'Parenthood'. https://web.archive.org/web/20110709194646/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/07/06/nbc-announces-fall-premiere-dates-chuck-grimm-premiere-october-2-early-premiere-for-parenthood/97330/ . dead . July 9, 2011 . TV by the Numbers. July 6, 2011. July 6, 2011.
  3. Web site: Thursday, October 13th 10/9c. Prime Suspect - NBC Official Site. Nbc.com. 2011-10-10. 2011-10-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20111010035732/http://www.nbc.com/prime-suspect/. live.
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20110513224954/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/11/nbc-picks-up-smash-prime-suspects-plus-two-more-sitcoms-to-series/92312/ Updated: NBC Picks Up "Smash", "Prime Suspects" and Two More Sitcoms to Series
  5. Web site: NBC To Give 'Harry's Law' Full-Season Order; 'Prime Suspect' Gone?. 2011-11-15. 2011-11-14. Deadline Hollywood. Andreeva, Nellie. 2011-11-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20111116150547/http://www.deadline.com/2011/11/nbc-unveils-midseason-schedule-moves-whitney-up-all-night-rock-center-harrys-law/. live.
  6. Web site: NBC Unveils New Mid-season 2012 Schedule. https://web.archive.org/web/20111117103547/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/14/nbc-mid-season-schedule-harrys-law-to-sunday-grimm-stays-put-up-all-night-moves-later-whitney-to-wednesday-chuck-done-in-january-more/110647/. dead. 2011-11-17. 2011-11-15. 2011-11-14. TV by the Numbers. Gorman, Bill.
  7. Web site: 'Prime Suspect' Final Two Episodes To Be Aired vs. NFC Championship Game. https://web.archive.org/web/20120110142328/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/05/prime-suspect-final-two-episodes-to-be-aired-vs-nfc-championship-game/115519/. dead. January 10, 2012. Gorman. Bill. . January 5, 2012. February 4, 2012.
  8. Web site: Prime Suspect. Nbc.com. 2011-10-10. 2011-10-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20111016015905/http://www.nbc.com/prime-suspect/about/. live.
  9. Web site: Prime Suspect: NBC orders US version pilot . TV Series Finale . 2011-02-06 . 2011-10-10 . 2013-02-05 . https://archive.today/20130205102125/http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/prime-suspect-new-pilot-19163/ . live .
  10. Web site: NBC Unveils 2011-2012 Primetime Schedule. The Deadline Team. Deadline Hollywood. July 6, 2011. 2011-10-10. 2011-10-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20111029201525/http://www.deadline.com/2011/07/nbc-announces-2011-12-primetime-schedule/. live.
  11. Web site: Christine. Monday, September 26: Filming Locations in NYC, Detroit, Boston, & more including 'I, Alex Cross', 'R.I.P.D.', & 'Gossip Girl'. On Location Vacations. September 25, 2011. March 24, 2012. April 6, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120406075007/http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2011/09/25/monday-september-26-filming-locations-in-nyc-detroit-boston-more-including-i-alex-cross-r-i-p-d-gossip-girl/. live.
  12. Web site: Thursday Finals: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'The X Factor,' 'Parks & Recreation' and 'Whitney' Adjusted Up. https://web.archive.org/web/20110925201258/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/09/23/thursday-finals-big-bang-theory-the-x-factor-parks-recreation-and-whitney-adjusted-up/104707/. dead. September 25, 2011. TV by the Numbers. Seidman. Robert. September 23, 2011. September 24, 2011.
  13. Web site: Thursday Final Ratings: 'X Factor,' 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'The Office' & 'The Secret Circle,' 'Mentalist' Adjusted Up. https://archive.today/20120723013915/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/09/30/thursday-final-ratings-x-factor-the-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-the-office-the-secret-circle-mentalist-adjusted-up/105546. dead. July 23, 2012. TV by the Numbers. Gorman. Bill. September 30, 2011. October 1, 2011.
  14. Web site: Thursday Final Ratings: 'X Factor,' 'The Big Bang Theory,' 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'The Office,' 'Person of Interest,' 'Parks & Rec' Adjusted Up; 'Private Practice' Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20111008234045/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/07/thursday-final-ratings-x-factor-the-big-bang-theory-greys-anatomy-the-office-person-of-interest-parks-private-practice-down/106528/. dead. October 8, 2011. TV by the Numbers. Seidman. Robert. October 7, 2011. October 8, 2011.
  15. Web site: TV Ratings Thursday: 'X Factor' Drops, Still Leads Fox Win; 'Whitney,' 'Prime Suspect' Hit Lows As NBC Has Worst In-Season Thursday Ever. https://web.archive.org/web/20111015175245/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/14/tv-ratings-thursday-x-factor-drops-still-leads-fox-win-on-a-mixed-night-of-advances-declines/107233/. dead. October 15, 2011. Gorman. Bill. TV by the Numbers. October 14, 2011. February 4, 2012.
  16. Web site: Thursday Final Ratings: World Series Game 6 Finals + 'Big Bang,' 'Vampire Diaries,' 'Office,' 'Person,' Adjusted Up; 'Rules,' 'Secret Circle,' 'Whitney,' 'Prime Suspect' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20111030050144/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/10/28/tv-ratings-thursday-epic-world-series-game-6-leads-fox-win-prime-suspect-hits-low/108775/. dead. October 30, 2011. TV by the Numbers. Gorman. Bill. October 28, 2011. October 29, 2011.
  17. Web site: Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'The X Factor,' 'Parks & Recreation,' 'The Office,' 'Vampire Diaries,' 'Grey's Anatomy' Adjusted Up. https://web.archive.org/web/20111106134548/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/04/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-the-x-factor-parks-recreation-the-office-vampire-diaries-greys-anatomy-adjusted-up/109650/. dead. November 6, 2011. TV by the Numbers. Seidman. Robert. November 4, 2011. November 8, 2011.
  18. Web site: Thursday Final Ratings: 'Big Bang Theory,' 'Grey's,' 'Prime Suspect' Adjusted Up; 'Bones,' 'Rules,' 'Private Practice' Adjusted Down. https://web.archive.org/web/20111113211840/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/11/thursday-final-ratings-big-bang-theory-greys-prime-suspect-adjusted-up-bones-rules-private-practice-adjusted-down/110412/. dead. November 13, 2011. TV by the Numbers. Seidman. Robert. November 11, 2011. November 11, 2011.
  19. Web site: TV Ratings Thursday: 'X Factor,' 'Person Of Interest,' 'Mentalist,' 'Whitney,' 'The Office' Hit Lows On An Up & Down Night. https://web.archive.org/web/20111120002429/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/11/18/tv-ratings-thursday-person-of-interest-mentalist-whitney-the-office-hit-lows-on-an-up-down-night/111119/. dead. November 20, 2011. TV by the Numbers. Gorman. Bill. November 18, 2011. November 18, 2011.
  20. Web site: Thursday Final Ratings: No Adjustment for 'Community,' 'Bones' or Any Thursday Original. https://web.archive.org/web/20111205011840/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/12/02/thursday-final-ratings-no-adjustment-for-community-bones-or-any-thursday-original/112501/. dead. December 5, 2011. TV by the Numbers. Seidman. Robert. December 2, 2011. December 3, 2011.
  21. Web site: Thursday Final Ratings: 'The X Factor,' 'Prime Suspect' Adjusted Up. https://web.archive.org/web/20120107172410/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/12/16/thursday-final-ratings-the-x-factor-prime-suspect-adjusted-up/114028/. dead. January 7, 2012. TV by the Numbers. Seidman. Robert. December 16, 2011. December 23, 2011.
  22. Web site: Thursday Final Ratings: No Adults 18-49 Adjustments To 'The X Factor,' 'Who's Still Standing?' Or 'Prime Suspect'. https://web.archive.org/web/20120107185933/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/12/23/thursday-final-ratings-no-adults-18-49-adjustments-to-the-x-factor-whos-still-standing-or-prime-suspect/114585/. dead. January 7, 2012. TV by the Numbers. Gorman. Bill. December 23, 2011. December 23, 2011.
  23. Web site: Sunday Final Ratings: 'Undercover Boss' Adjusted Up; 'Pan Am' Adjusted Down + Giants/49ers. https://web.archive.org/web/20120127033819/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2012/01/24/sunday-final-ratings-undercover-boss-adjusted-up-pan-am-adusted-down-giants49ers/117320/. dead. January 27, 2012. TV by the Numbers. Seidman. Robert. January 24, 2012. January 24, 2012.
  24. Web site: prime suspect - Google News . Prime Suspect: Premiere Ratings – TV Series Finale | Hot News from around the World . Crusadeguild.eu . 2011-10-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150912071010/http://www.crusadeguild.eu/2011/09/23/prime-suspect-premiere-ratings-tv-series-finale/ . 2015-09-12 . dead .
  25. Web site: Prime Suspect - Season 1 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic . Metacritic.com . 2011-10-10 . 2011-09-25 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110925143819/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/prime-suspect . live .
  26. Web site: Mo Fathelbab. 'Prime Suspect' Series Premiere Review: Pilot. BuzzFocus.com. 2011-09-23. 2011-10-10. 2011-09-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20110925201129/http://www.buzzfocus.com/2011/09/23/review-prime-suspect-series-premiere-pilot/. live.
  27. Web site: Fall TV: 'Prime Suspect' Pilot Review. Hollywood.com. 2011-09-23. 2011-10-10. https://archive.today/20130126053320/http://www.hollywood.com/news/Fall_TV_Prime_Suspect_Pilot_Review/7842866. 2013-01-26. dead.
  28. Web site: NBC Cancels 'The Playboy Club'. Hollywood TV Critics. Dawson. Kelly. October 4, 2011. October 8, 2011. October 16, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20111016231835/http://hollywoodtvcritics.wordpress.com/2011/10/04/nbc-cancels-the-playboy-club/. live.
  29. Web site: Returning: Send in the Dogs, CSI. Airdate: Prime Suspect. . 19 September 2011 . TV Tonight . 2011-10-10 . 2011-10-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111018210328/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2011/09/returning-send-in-the-dogs-csi-airdate-prime-suspect.html . live .
  30. News: New Prime Suspect Headed to Canada . Worldscreen.com . 2011-05-31 . 2011-05-31.
  31. http://www.seriesplus.com/emission/suspect-no-1/ Prime Suspect showpage on Séries+ website
  32. News: Kiwi net takes Prime Suspect US . C21media.net . 2011-06-01 . 2011-06-01 . 2023-04-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230418130054/http://www.c21media.net/resources/detail.asp/?area=147&article=61009 . live .
  33. News: Prime Suspect . foxcrime.it . 2012-05-19 . 2012-05-19 . 2012-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120519075855/http://www.foxcrime.it/prime-suspect-usa . live .
  34. Web site: Universal Channel Acquires UK Rights To 'Prime Suspect'. Patrick. Munn. TVWise. May 29, 2012. May 29, 2012. June 22, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120622023608/http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/05/universal-channel-acquires-uk-rights-to-prime-suspect/. live.

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