Stefanie Martini (Doctor Thorne, Endeavour) stars as the young incarnation of Helen Mirren’s iconic character Jane Tennison in ITV’s new Prime Suspect prequel series.
Prime Suspect: 1973 is adapted from Lynda La Plante’s bestselling novel, Tennison.
Buy the complete original Prime Suspect series box set on Amazon here.
The cast also includes Blake Harrison (Dad’s Army, The Inbetweeners), Sam Reid (Belle, The Riot Club), Alun Armstrong (New Tricks), Ruth Sheen (Inside No.9), Lex Shrapnel (Medici: Masters of Florence), Jay Taylor (Promise), Jessica Gunning (Fortitude), Andrew Brooke (Da Vinci’s Demons), Nick Sidi (DCI Banks), Geraldine Somerville (New Tricks) and Rosie Day (Cuffs).
Adapted by Glen Laker, Prime Suspect: 1973 is set in 1970s Hackney, where women police constables are slowly being integrated into the force. Amongst them is 22-year-old Jane, 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.
Working alongside her superior, DI Bradfield (Sam Reid), Tennison is thrown in at the deep end on her first case, experiencing London’s violent criminal ganglands first hand and witnessing the devastating effects that such crimes have.
Episode 1
Thursday 2 March 2017, 9pm
When the body of teenager, Julie Ann Collins, is found in the underground car park of a Hackney housing estate, probationer WPC Jane Tennison becomes immersed in her first murder investigation.
Jane’s superior DI Bradfield believes that the victim’s drug addict boyfriend, Eddie Phillips, is involved in the crime, tracking him down for questioning. However, despite Bradfield and DS Gibbs being convinced that he is hiding something, the interview is cut short when Eddie collapses and is sent to hospital.
Meanwhile, with his release from prison imminent, renowned criminal Clifford Bentley is preparing for an upcoming bank robbery that he and his family are carrying out for gangland kingpin Clay Whitely. With information reaching him that his wife, Renee, has been attacked as a warning from Whitely though, he becomes nervous.
At home, Jane’s mother voices concerns about Jane’s chosen vocation and wishes she were more like her younger sister, Pam, who is about to be married. However, determined and ambitious Jane is adamant she’s going to help catch the killer though.
Episode 2
Thursday 9 March 2017, 9pm
Having discovered that Eddie was menacing Julie Ann before her murder, Jane seeks out Bradfield to tell him. Finding him drowning his sorrows in a local pub though, Jane sees her superior let down his guard and the pair bond.
The team also establishes that Julie Ann was last seen getting into a red Jaguar and Jane assists colleague, Kath Morgan, in tracking down the car. This leads them to Homerton Hospital Drug Unit where they interview receptionist, Teresa O’Duncie.
In prison, Clifford Bentley attacks a fellow inmate, risking the wrath of Clay Whitely and his son John Bentley starts carrying out their robbery plan by tunnelling from a local café towards the British Savings Bank.
Meanwhile, with the name “Oz” keeping coming up in the investigation, the team start looking into who this mystery man is and how he fits into the case.
Episode 3
Thursday 16 March 2017, 9pm
Following the revelation of the red Jaguar in George and Mary Collins’ garage, the pair protest their innocence about their daughter’s final days. The case against them hardens when forensics officers discover further signs of violence against Julie Ann in their home.
With the timeline of Julie Ann’s injuries not adding up, Jane pursues a witness who say Eddie visited George Collins the night before Julie Ann’s death. Backed into a corner, George makes a confession that throws an unexpected light on his daughter’s death.
Meanwhile, Clifford Bentley is released from prison and returns home to a hero’s welcome. Alongside John and David, Clifford is ready to put the final plans in motion for the bank robbery, but café owner Silas is getting cold feet.
Episode 4
Thursday 23 March 2017, 9pm
Following his arrest, a badly beaten Terrence O’Duncie is brought into the station. With Gibbs on the hook for his attack, Bradfield asks Jane to make a decision with huge repercussions for her future.
The case escalates when Eddie Philips’ body is discovered in the canal, and Bradfield suspects they’re looking at a double murder. He questions O’Duncie about his connections with Eddie and Julie Ann, but his progress is halted when O’Duncie’s solicitor files an official complaint against Gibbs.
Meanwhile, Clifford Bentley and his sons start digging from the café to the bank, but they risk getting caught when David fails to notice the police presence outside as he’s high. Silas manages to reassure the police that they’re carrying out refurbishments but Clifford and John confront David about his worsening drug habit and unreliability.
Episode 5
Thursday 30 March 2017, 9pm
Jane plays the radio recordings to Bradfield who, sensing a chance to get his revenge on Clifford, diverts the team to carry out surveillance of the Bentleys, despite orders from his superior officer to stay focused on the murder case.
Reluctantly taking a day off to attend her sister Pam’s wedding, Jane calls into the station to check in with Kath, learning that her tip-off has led to a huge surveillance operation. Determined to be part of it Jane rushes off, still in her bridesmaid dress.
Meanwhile, one of Clifford’s team betrays him, and Bradfield soon uncovers the exact details of the Bentleys’ bank heist. Ignoring the disapproval of his colleagues, as well as Jane, Bradfield is determined to catch them in the act.
Episode 6
Thursday 6 April 2017, 9pm
In the aftermath of the explosion at the bank vault, the police operation descends into pandemonium and panic. As Jane arrives at the scene, she is met with devastating news.
Renee gives David cash and tells him to find somewhere to lay low. Later, Clifford reaches the flat and tells Renee the terrible truth about John. Renee refuses to believe him.
The police station is numb with shock, but Harris rallies the troops into a manhunt for Clifford and David. A distraught Renee refuses to help and is arrested. Jane and Gibbs, investigating the connection between Julie Ann and the Bentleys, question Renee who finally breaks down and admits David’s relationship to Julie Ann.
At a search of the Bentley lock-up, Jane uncovers evidence that it was where Julie Ann was killed. The Bentleys’ van is searched and a small silk bow discovered which matches Julie Ann’s bra. The police manhunt ramps up with David Bentley now as their prime suspect. And Jane finally gets to the truth of what really happened.
Buy the complete original Prime Suspect series box set on Amazon here.
Watch the trailer…
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