Prime Suspect

:

Season 1
  • Network: NBC
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 22, 2011
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
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Critic Reviews

  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Tim Goodman
    Sep 23, 2011
    60
    You should at the very least check out Bello, who does fine work here.
  2. Philadelphia Daily News
    Reviewed by: Ellen Gray
    Sep 22, 2011
    60
    It doesn't yet feel like just another cop show.
  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Sep 21, 2011
    60
    If you're looking for subtle, Prime Suspect will not become your appointment television. On the other hand, if you're looking for an intense police drama that suggests women face brutal obstacles in the police world, Maria Bello's Jane Timoney keeps the pedal to that metal.
  5. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Lesley Smith
    Sep 22, 2011
    50
    Parts of the show seem archaic, more Life on Mars than life in a 21st century police department. Other parts seem careless bricolage.
  6. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: David Wiegand
    Sep 22, 2011
    50
    The show has to get beyond plot predictability and one-dimensional characterization if it's going to survive.
  7. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Robert Bianco
    Sep 22, 2011
    50
    Give Maria Bello credit, if you like, for having the courage to take on a character so indelibly linked to one of the great actors of our time, Helen Mirren--and then take it away for the ridiculously behatted mash she and the show have made of the character.

Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Best TV Season of 2011
61
#61 Most Discussed TV Season of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 49
  3. Negative: 3 out of 49
  1. newmarket2
    Nov 23, 2011
    10
    With so many cop shows around, it's hard to not be boring, but Prime Suspect is engrossing, clever and unique. Maria Bello is believably bothWith so many cop shows around, it's hard to not be boring, but Prime Suspect is engrossing, clever and unique. Maria Bello is believably both hard and soft as the situation calls for. Her progress in winning over the "boys" in the homicide squad is one of the few parallels to the British show of the same name. But, this show is on the bubble and has been put on "hiatus" which probably means it's going to be reconfigured into something more PC but certainly less unique. Now, I like NCIS and Castle and CSI too, but this is the real deal and, if you weren't turned on on your first watch, watch it again and give it a chance. It deserves to be watched.… Full Review »
  2. ranken
    Nov 15, 2011
    10
    Not just the best cop show on network TV, the best show period. Maria Bello and the rest of the cast are fantastic, as is the writing. This isNot just the best cop show on network TV, the best show period. Maria Bello and the rest of the cast are fantastic, as is the writing. This is the most realistic police drama on network TV. Along with Southland, one of two police shows on TV that gets it.… Full Review »
  3. Ilan
    Oct 27, 2011
    10
    By far the best show of the season, prime suspect is so great and it's not all Maria bellos doing. The acting is phenomenal as well as theBy far the best show of the season, prime suspect is so great and it's not all Maria bellos doing. The acting is phenomenal as well as the writing and it's really great seeing all these fabulous, even funny characters interact. I think the show got some negative feedback due to its weak pilot, which really pushed the whole sexist issue and featured a dull mystery. But I gave it a second chance, and I'm glad I did cause its really just an interesting cop show with creative angles used to solve crimes with an interesting cats of characters led by the wonderful bello..... It's really worth watching… Full Review »
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