Earlier this week, NBC announced their mid-season schedule and, not surprisingly, low-rated Prime Suspect wasn’t on it. Supposedly NBC execs hadn’t cancelled the show and would still be “considering their options” until all 13 episodes had aired.
Now comes word that production will be shutting down before the holiday. The cast and crew were reportedly informed of the season wrap on Monday afternoon, as NBC was announcing their schedule. It surely wasn’t a surprise. Mario finishing episode 12 now and will complete number 13 before closing up shop.
There won’t be any more episodes produced for this season, despite the fact that the network ordered another half dozen scripts. Though NBC isn’t officially saying that Prime Suspect is cancelled, the cast and crew have been told that there won’t be a second season.
Theoretically, Prime Suspect could be brought back next season but that would mean that the network would have to put a lot of money into promoting a show that had been off the air for nine months, a show that couldn’t muster strong ratings after a big launch. Thus far the show’s averaged a dismal 1.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic and just 4.97 million viewers.
There’s simply no reason for the network to spend any more resources on Prime Suspect. For whatever reason, most of the network just weren’t interest in this TV series.
What do you think? Are you sorry that Prime Suspect is being cancelled and won’t be back for a second season?
Image courtesy NBC.
I agree that Prime Suspect is an excellent show. I think it should be given more time and a better time slot so that intelligent people can find it. The characters are interesting and believable. Bring it back!
One of my favourites. Bello was superb.
I will miss what I thought was a great, gritty show.
Prime Suspect was an exceptionally good series. Why isn’t great acting and great writing enough for a second season? Scripts and cast chemistry were riveting. It seemed to be getting better with each episode. It’s incredibly disappointing NBC failed to allow it a second year. If continued it would have grown its fan base. NBC started it in a tough time slot and allowed it to die there. Shame on you NBC.
Amazing show….great writers…..wonderful ensemble cast. Each show built on the prior show and created really interesting characters at work. I can’t believe a show like this can’t find an audience with so much trash on TV.
Network probably didn’t properly promote or support the show……it’s replacement “The Firm” looks so stupid, just a retread of something from the past.
How about giving this show another chance?
I love prime suspect. I hope it comes back. I like the cast. I was starting to really enjoy getting to know the stories of the cast. I really hope NBC gives it a second chance
This was one of my favourite shows this season, Im exceptionally disappointed that this show is done.
This is one of the best casts on TV which made this show one to watch. I have tuned into other new shows this year – and the casts were so weak that I just ended up not watching. I love Maria Bello. She is fantastic in this show. I cannot believe it has been cancelled. I just saw a ‘new’ episode on Sunday night (I know it was probably the last one), and I was again struck with what a great cast. I am so tired of the all the crummy reality shows and other junk that gets aired.… Read more »
I will be VERY disappointed if this show doesn’t get picked up again. With all the trash on TV.. this show was a beacon of hope. It reminds me a lot of NYPD Blue (wish I miss). It’s a hard hitting cop drama with a strong, intelligent, flawed female lead and well developed characters… what’s not to like! The only reason more people didn’t pick up on this show is it was aired in a horrible slot.. opposite tons of other popular shows. Does the watcher measurement take into account DVR recording? I think if they gave Prime Suspect a… Read more »
Please don’t cancel the Series. Give it one more season. The screen play is so well written and the actors are outstanding. This is a long-awaited, quality cop program.
I suspect that the MBA programming execs at NBC had some analytical breakdown of Whitney and Prime Suspect along the lines of “Lean, strong, in-your-face female lead that’s not afraid to say what’s on her mind – should appeal to empowered women,” and concluded that Whitney would be the perfect lead-in.
The fact that Whitney is basically a formulaic brain-dead sitcom barely hidden under a postmodern layer of risqué references to once-taboo sexual mores, and that there are about 5 people in the world who appreciate Prime Suspect and would also like Whitney, never seems to have crossed their minds.
I am very disappointed that NBC would cancel this show. Perhaps the competition was too strong. I really like the characters and their chemistry. This show is entertaining television and I will miss it. They will probably replace it with an episodic with prettier characters and vapid scripts. Too bad the EFX couldn’t pick it up.
I love this show!! One of the best I have seen. Maybe the problem is the fact they were airing it on Thursday night when 5 million other shows are on!
Typical!! Great show and cast!!
Sure, go ahead and cancel a show that does not feature mindless “reality” situations or dramas starring neat-as-pin actors, Maria Bello is a believable character and the show is riveting. But then, the public-be-damned.