Prime Suspect 1973: When is it on ITV, who is in the cast, how to watch online
PRIME SUSPECT 1973 is the new prequel to ITV’s hit crime drama, with Stefanie Martini taking over Helen Mirren’s iconic role of Jane Tennison. But when is the new series on, who is in the cast and how can you watch it online?
Sneak peek at dramatic teaser for Prime Suspect 1973
What is Prime Suspect 1973 about?
Prime Suspect 1973 continues tonight as Tennison continues to investigate a 17-year-old prostitute’s murder.
When she discovers that Eddie was menacing Julie Ann before her death, Jane seeks out DI Bradfield.
She finds him downing his sorrows in a local pub, giving the pair an opportunity to bond.
Meanwhile, Clifford Bentley attacks a fellow inmate while his son starts tunnelling towards the British Savings Bank.
The series ia a prequel to Prime Suspect while explores the formative years of Jane Tennison – the character made famous by Dame Helen Mirren.
Tennison, 22, is “a naïve get determined probationary officer learning the ropes in a world where high-ranking police officers are notoriously chauvinistic and the rules often bent.”
The series is set in 1973 – the year that women were fully integrated into the Metropolitan police force, and is based on Lydia La Plante’s 2015 novel Tennison.
Working alongside her superior, DI Bradfield, Tennison is thrown in at the deep end on her first case – the investigation of a prostitute’s murder.
When does Prime Suspect 1973 start?
The new police drama begins tonight (Thursday March 2) at 9pm on ITV.
How to watch Prime Suspect 1973 online
Episode one will be available to stream on the ITV player immediately after it has aired.
Stefanie Martini leads the cast of Prime Suspect 1973, taking over from Helen Mirren
Who is in the cast of Prime Suspect 1973?
Newcomer Stefanie Martini takes over the role of Jane Tennison.
I totally respect and admire Helen Mirren
At 26, she is the same age that Mirren was when she first appeared in the original Prime Suspect in 1991.
Martini says that she found it “really challenging and exciting” to step into Mirren’s shoes.
“I totally respect and admire her,” she said. “I think she’s amazing and it’s great to have the opportunity to look back at the character.”
Martini takes on the role made famous by Helen Mirren
Sam Reid plays DI Len Bradfield, a hard taskmaster who takes the lead on Tennison’s first case.
“He’s very ambitious, quite hardened and quite a jaded man because he’s seen a lot of things,” Reid said.
“He’s sort of untrusting but very passionate about his job so his work will always come first.”
Sam Reid plays DI Len Bradfield
Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison plays DS Spencer Gibbs
Blake Harrison plays DS Spencer Gibbs – another of Jane’s superiors and Bradfield’s right hand man.
He’s a good detective and takes his job seriously, but has been prone to have a hot head and a short fuse – particularly when interrogating suspects.
Harrison is best-known for playing Neil in E4’s hit comedy The Inbetweeners, and admits that he has been trying to make the jump into serious drama.
“I’d spent a portion of 2015 battling away a lot of comedy roles as I wanted to do show a different side of myself and obviously this came through at the right moment,” he revealed.
“I thought the character was really fun to play. He’s a bit of a peacock. He’s the lead singer of a band and loves looking good.”
Alun Armstrong plays Cillord Bentley
Veteran actor Alun Armstrong plays Cillord Bentley, a renowned criminal who has been locked up for a bank robbery.
He has two sons with whom he's planning his next job, set to take place as soon as he’s released from prison. Bentley and Bradfield have a long-held animosity.
Armstrong described his character as “pretty foul”, but admitted that he enjoyed the contrast of playing a criminal after his 10-year run in police drama New Tricks.
“It’s nice to get back on the other side of the law for a change,” he said. “Obviously he’s trying to escape from policemen all the time and get out of their way.
“He’s a pretty foul character in a way. He doesn’t have many saving graces so it’s nice to play somebody with rather questionable morality.”