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Prime Suspect

Name: Prime Suspect
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Released: 1991-04-07
Cast: Helen Mirren, Tom Bell, Stephen Tompkinson, Frank Finlay, Gary Lewis

1991 | 7 seasons | Crime, Drama, Mystery

Friday Night Flickearly rating

Why it’s a Friday Night Flick

Critics rank it among the best shows ever made, it won 5 Emmys and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for crime-drama fans and anyone who likes to be kept guessing. If you loved Luther or Unforgotten, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood: Tense, dark and gritty.
The pace: 7 seasons and 15 episodes: a long-haul commitment.
What might put you off: A big time investment at 7 seasons.
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Highly skilled Detective Inspector Jane Tennison battles to prove herself in a male dominated world.

How it earned its rating

CriticsVery strong
Named among the best TV shows of all time by critics (on 4 all-time best lists)
AudiencesSolid
7.8 out of 10
AwardsVery strong
Won 5 Emmys: Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Miniseries, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Special, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie, Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries or Movie and 1 more. Won 6 BAFTAs: British Academy Television Awards: Series 1 (1991), British Academy Television Awards: Best Actress, British Academy Television Awards: Best Film or Video Editor – Fiction, British Academy Television Awards: Best Film or Video Photography – Fiction and 2 more. Won 1 Peabody Award: Peabody Award: Outstanding Writing in a Miniseries or Special. Also nominated for 4 more Emmys, 2 Golden Globes and 14 more BAFTAs. Plus 5 other awards.
Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 7 seasons and reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 213K people sought it out in the past year