Ever since NBC announced that it would be doing an American version of the English-accented Prime Suspect, I’ve known who should play Helen Mirren’s part, and if you’ve ever tuned in to Friday Night Lights, so have you: Connie Britton. Hands down. No contest. End of discussion. Not only is she a one-woman home run, but since FNL is wrapping production in May on what’s likely to be its fifth and final season, the coach’s wife will be available to tackle the leading lady role for which she’s so long been ready. That said, if the Peacock’s vision is short-sighted and the suits don’t feel that she’s a big enough “name” for such a high-profile gig (hmmph!), then maybe they should consider one of these actresses:
Geena Davis: That Oscar on her mantel is a pretty good indicator that she could handle Prime Suspect’s tough material. Unfortunately, The Geena Davis Show and Commander in Chief on her resume are equally good indicators that, were she hired, the show wouldn’t last long enough for her to actually play much of that tough material.
Charlotte Ross: C’mon, admit it: You’ve been a fan since the Eve Donovan days, too. And you’ve also probably got fond memories of her spectacularly subtle work during her NYPD Blue stint. Trouble is, network execs may have somewhat less fond memories of her, particularly if there’s a reason she has that pesky rep for being a diva. Just sayin’.
Glenn Close: If the rumors are true, and the upcoming season of Damages is indeed its last, she’d certainly merit serious consideration. But, since she comes from the less taxing world of film, would she really want to jump from one series commitment to another? Hmm…
Gail O’Grady: For sure, she’s got the chops to play the troubled inspector (thanks, American Dreams). But she also may be a little conspicuously “pretty” to play her. And, like my pick Britton, she may not be considered an audience draw. (Hot Properties, anyone? No? Didn’t think so.)
Meryl Streep: Once upon a time, you wouldn’t have seen names like Geena Davis’ and Glenn Close’s on this list. That time is past. So, in spite of her still-thriving big-screen career, the Oscar winner could (who knows?) maybe possibly, just maybe, be lured to the tube by the promise of a role this juicy. They don’t come along every day, after all.
So what do you think? Is Britton Prime Suspect’s Ms. Right? Or do you have a better idea? Sound off below.
Photo Credit: Davis: Chris Hatcher/PR Photos; Close: Craig Blankenhorn/FX; Ross: ABC; Britton: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC
Comments (1-15) of 183 Add your comment
Ausiello I’m with you! Connie Britton would be awesome for this part! That fabulous woman should be on my tv screen 24/7. So I’m prepared to boycott the show, if my tvBFF does not receive the show she deserves!
isn’t connie britton a little young for the part? the ages of the actresses you have chosen are all over the place. i think i would like to see a seasoned vet like glenn close or even tyne daly take the role.
You know, I think it might be time for Rachel Griffiths to find a new show. Or maybe Patricia Wettig? Or, in a brilliant move, Nicollette Sheridan?
Ignoring the fact that I think a remake is completely unnecessary, my first choice would be Jean Smart. She can play tough, no nonsense and yet fragile all at the same time.
That’s a good one! LOVE Jean Smart! But from the list, I have to choose Gail O’Grady. I miss Mrs. Pryor!
Ohhh…good call. We know she can do boozy and she’s got great versatility as an actress.
Either that or Patricia Clarkson if she takes a hiatus from films. I love her! And Julianne Moore (but there’s no hope for that)
Patricia Clarkson would be perfect in the role! That of course assumes that Hollywood doesn’t mess too much with the series’ premise.
Yes! Excellent suggestion.
YES. Jean Smart, for sure. I’d be all over an American version of Prime Suspect if Jean was the star.
GENIOUS. (Agreed on the lack of need for the remake, too)
Khm.. please don’t make a remake!
I’m with you. Not every UK hit (or even just every UK show) needs to be remade for the US audience. Just because The Office did well in translation, doesn’t mean any other show will (as virtually all other attempts have failed badly).
agreed! Prime suspect is what it is because of Helen Mirren, and because of Britishisms.
Totally agree. And while we’re on the subject, can we not have American versions of “Skins” and “Being Human”? Please?
Oh God if they made American versions of those I would freak out. I love British TV and hate when they remake the exact same show but with American accents. Totally unnecessary.
Please -No Remakes. It’s bad enough that Americans need to recycle their own shows for movies and tv. Please, please, please do not attempt the remake. For every Office (which I have not watched and am relying on word of mouth) and All in the Family there are Couplings and others which should not have seen the light of day. At times imitation is not a sincere form of flattery and is just laziness and lack of imagination.
Holy f, there’s absolutely NO need to remake “Skins.” How could they anyways, unless it was on HBO? Argh, listen up America. Do not, in any way, shape or form, ruin the perfect memory of Maxxie, Sid, Jal, Cassie and Chris, et. all.
If you skins and British humour can I reccomend ‘The Inbetweeners’ about 4 lads aged 16 trying to fit in
They want to make an American remake of Skins !!?? WTF ? American would never be able to translate this level of risqué as the characters are teenagers !! Every dumb puritans will start yelling this is scandalous !! And anyway, what’s the use ?
I couldn’t agree more! I just cringe at the thought of someone messing with this amazing series. Not every UK show needs a US remake!!
Sorry for OT, but why does this series get americanized at all? Can’t those lazy people offer something original?
Alfre Woodard.
I agree, Alfre would be good, another Af-American actress who would be impressive is Angela Bassett, who can carry that undercurrent of sexual confidence that Helen Mirren has.
That said, I’m unconvinced that there is a need for a remake.
love alfre, yes to the others except geena. no to angela. yes to cch pounder.
I’ve never seen the original, but I love Connie Britton so… Yes!
Connie Britton is a terrific choice. If Dana Delany leaves DH, then she would be great. Penny Johnson (24’s Sherry Palmer) would also do a good job. So would other 24 vets, Jean Smart and Cherry Jones. I also like Michelle Forbes for the part. There are just so many talented actresses that could play the role that it will be a big disappointment if they go for a “name” over talent.
Cherry Jones would be great.
What about Michelle Pffeifer? She’d be a draw and can play complicated, brittle, and subtle. She’s been away for a while but this would be a great comeback. And she’s played down her looks before (Frankie and Johnny).
Cherry Jones is a great actor but she does not have sex appeal, and Connie Britton really does.
I think Michele P. could be a good choice – aging beauty, that brittleness that has put people off (let’s face it – she has never had a hit) would really work.
To Julia (the post underneath this one): Michelle Pfeiffer has had hits; she was top billed and name above title in Dangerous Minds (close to 90 million dollars in 1995) and she’s been in several other hit films: The Witches Of Eastwick, Up Close And Personal, What Lies Beneath, Wolf, Hairspray and Batman returns (for which many people thought she was the best Batman villain performance ever, until Heath Ledger’s Joker)
And if Hollywood really wanted to transplant the Prime Suspect concept, but use a different character, I would totally use Angela Bassett.
OMG… Michelle Pfeiffer yes… i love her and think she is sooooo underused. I agree there is no need for a “remake” and it will ultimately be compared with Mirren’s performance (which is prolly her most lauded role). But I LOVE THE IDEA OF PFEIFFER OR STREEP ON TV.
Question is: if it’s on NBC – would a name actress really want to do it. Glenn Close on Damages was made possible by the fact that the show can really stretch its wings on cable.
I do like the Jean Smart idea though.
Those are all really great choices. Who in the world could ever top Helen Mirren? But these actresses could definitely do justice to the role.
Mary McDonnell hands down.
Seconded, thirded, fourthed, fifthed, sixthed and so on.
Yes.
Yes Yes Yes!
this!
Absolutely no question at all.
The discussion should end here. Mary McDonnell is the perfect woman for the role. Jean Smart would be good, but MM is perfect. Gena Davis would be terrible.
Connie Britton’s too young. Prime Suspect is about a female detective who is reaching the end of her career.
MM she is my choice!MM is one if the greatest actresses and she should be in a leading role .
Two words: Viola Davis.
Although I like the Jean Smart suggestion a lot too.
Oh yeah, can I add Amy Ryan to the list. Lady would bring it.
Viola Davis would be awesome.
We already have an “Americanized version,” it’s called The Closer.
Re accents… if the rest of of us can manage to sort out Southern, New York, Bahston and Redneck as well as Manchester, London and Lancashire it’s not a lot to ask you to give it a go. Tune your ear or turn on the closed captioning until you get the hang of it.
Exactly right, I was thinking the same thing.
Amen!
AMEN.
no no no No No No NO!!!
Stop the madness. Why remake Prime Suspect? It was perfect just as it was and screw anybody who can’t handle the english accent. American Television has a lousy history with British remakes and I refuse to watch this!
Since I don’t have my head up Connie Britton’s rear end, and don’t need to pretend she’s my BFF, I can see that she’s far too young for the role.
The choice is simple. Kelly Bishop.