‘Prime Suspect 1973’ has been scrapped after just one series.
The police drama prequel proved to be a hit with TV viewers, attracting an audience of around six million people – but the broadcaster decided against renewing the retro programme after author Lynda La Plante walked away from the project due to creative differences.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "We’re very happy with the performance of ‘Prime Suspect 1973’ but not everything is meant to run and run."
Originally, Lynda had been asked by ITV to adapt her novel ‘Tennison’ for the channel, but the fallout between herself and the broadcaster led to the two parties going their separate ways.
ITV continued to work with another writer on the series, and the broadcaster has now ruled out adapting Lynda’s latest book in the Tennison series, ‘Hidden Killers’.
The original ‘Prime Suspect’ starred Dame Helen Mirren, who played the part of Detective Jane Tennison from 1991 until 2006.
Stefanie Martini has starred as a younger version of Tennison in the latest TV series, and she admitted to feeling the weight of expectation.
Speaking earlier this year, Stefanie said: "I have to see it as a completely new thing, because this Tennison is such a different character.
"There is a lot of pressure, but I think I just really had to learn what I could from Helen’s work and then leave it alone and just do my own thing.
"I see it as an opportunity, because if that character weren’t there I wouldn’t have this job!"
Prime Suspect 1973 axed after one series
