In 1991, the British police procedural show, Prime Suspect made its television debut. Created by author Lynda La Plante, the series followed the story of Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison – one of the first female DCI’s in Greater London’s Metropolitan Police Service.

In the series, Tennison investigates crimes while battling institutionalised sexism within the police force. Over the course of the series, Tennison rises through the ranks despite these issues, becoming a Detective Superintendent.

Due to the popularity of Prime Suspect, the show ran for multiple seasons, airing across a period of 15 years. A decade after the show ended, it was accompanied by a prequel series detailing the early life of Jane Tennison.

But if you’re new Prime Suspect you may be wondering how many seasons there are, how many episodes to watch, and what the prequel series is. For all the details, keep reading.

Advertisements
Advertisements

—

Prime Suspect: In Focus

Image: ©ITV

As noted above, the first season of Prime Suspect made its debut in 1991. The season comprised two episodes and starred Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison.

With the episodes proving popular, a second season followed in 1992, with a third following in 1993. The show then went on hiatus for a year before returning for a fourth season in 1995 and a fifth season in 1996.

Another hiatus followed before a sixth season hit screens in 2003. This was joined by a seventh and final season in 2006.

The seventh season was the last for Prime Suspect, but not quite the last for Tennison. A spin-off series, titled Prime Suspect 1973, hit screens in 2017. 

Stefanie Martini took on the role of Jane Tennison for Prime Suspect 1973. As the title of the show suggests, the series was set in 1973 and was envisioned as a prequel, detailing Tennison’s early days.

Advertisements

—

Prime Suspect / Prime Suspect 1973 episode list

Image: ©ITV

Below is a list of episodes from Prime Suspect and Prime Suspect 1973. Between the two shows there are a total of 21 episodes.

Series One (1991)

  • Price to Pay: Part One
  • Price to Pay: Part Two

Series Two (1992)

  • Operation Nadine: Part One
  • Operation Nadine: Part Two

Series Three (1993)

  • Keeper of Souls: Part One
  • Keeper of Souls: Part Two

Series Four (1995)

  • The Lost Child
  • Inner Circles
  • The Scent of Darkness

Series Five (1996)

  • Errors of Judgement: Part One
  • Errors of Judgement: Part Two

Series Six (2003)

  • The Last Witness: Part One
  • The Last Witness: Part Two

Series Seven (2006)

  • The Final Act: Part One
  • The Final Act: Part Two

Prime Suspect 1973 (2017)

  • Episode One 
  • Episode Two
  • Episode Three
  • Episode Four
  • Episode Five
  • Episode Six
Advertisements

—

Prime Suspect in order

Image: ©ITV

Should you wish to watch Prime Suspect and Prime Suspect 1973 in production order, then follow this list:

  • Prime Suspect: Season One
  • Prime Suspect: Season Two
  • Prime Suspect: Season Three
  • Prime Suspect: Season Four
  • Prime Suspect: Season Five 
  • Prime Suspect: Season Six
  • Prime Suspect: Season Seven 
  • Prime Suspect 1973: Season One

Prime Suspect in chronological order 

Alternatively, should you wish to watch Prime Suspect and Prime Suspect 1973 in chronological timeline order, starting with the prequel series, then follow this list:

  • Prime Suspect 1973: Season One
  • Prime Suspect: Season One
  • Prime Suspect: Season Two
  • Prime Suspect: Season Three
  • Prime Suspect: Season Four
  • Prime Suspect: Season Five 
  • Prime Suspect: Season Six
  • Prime Suspect: Season Seven
Advertisements
Advertisements

—

Editor/writer/prime suspect

Alex Wiggan

Alex is the writer and editor of It’s A Stampede! – a blog which specialises in movies, TV, comics, retro toys, and general geekery. He is a championing voice in nerd content, an expert in pop culture, and a trusted movie critic who publishes new reviews on a weekly basis. After graduating with a degree in film & television studies from the University of Derby in the UK, Alex went on to study journalism in Sheffield, before acquiring NCTJ accreditation. Prior to creating It’s A Stampede!, Alex was a magazine editor, a senior copywriter, a features writer, and a freelancer.

—

Thank you for taking the time to read this post about Prime Suspect on It’s A Stampede!. For more posts, check out the recommended reads below.

Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements