Robert W. Anderson I have been enjoying this show from the first episode; even though I only saw the first episode by mistake. I'm really liking the way Maria Bello is playing this character. The writers put the words in her mouth, but she's the one that makes that character come alive and gives her the finer points of her personality. And unlike one of the other reviewers; I like the hat. Miss Bello is just one of the things that make this show as good as it is. How good is it to see a cast of characters that wasn't cast based on looks. I know it sounds like I'm saying something about the way the members of the cast look; I'm not. I'm just saying they look and act like real people. And they can act; how cool is that. So add it up; good actors, good characters, good writing. How can we lose? We will probably lose soon when then cancel this excellent show. I should have known, many of the shows I like, get it in the neck. Life, and Terriers comes to mind. I've read recently that like many other fine shows in the five to ten years NBC doesn't plan on giving this show a chance to gain an audience.

shinerchick05 There are so many cop shows on TV now days, but a lot of them are over the top. I like that Prime Suspect is written around the main character and everything is played off of that. It's just a straight forward cop show nothing fancy like CSI and stuff like that. The actors are really good and at times the show is funny. I like it, it's simple and I am a simple person. The main actress which the show is based off of does a fantastic job, she is a really good actor. I love her personality on the show trying to make it in an all guy department, she holds her own. I also like how at the end of the day she shows vulnerability and emotion from the stress of her job as well as her personal life. I have never seen the British version and don't really care to. I know some might compare it to not as good as the British version; but being I have never watched that version, the show is great. Give it a chance and see for yourself.

IBrakeForTrees I just happened to have watched the first two series of the original UK Prime Suspect around the same time I watched the first two episodes of this series. It may not be fair to compare the two, as one reviewer said, but for the benefit of those looking for a good mystery....1 - This is a police procedural, and not a mystery. The difference is that in a mystery, as in the UK Prime Suspect, we're introduced to several characters, one of whom is the killer, and we ride along trying to figure out who dun it. With a police procedural, we essentially watch the cops do their job, narrowing in on the killer, who is not anyone we've seen before.2 - The UK Prime Suspect took 3 hours to tell a story. This one tries to do it in 42 minutes, so the depth of the story is considerably less.3 - The original show's idea of a female detective coming on board into a group of guys, who think she slept her way to her job, was done better on The Closer than it's done here. Actually, in many respects, the Closer, which borrows some elements from the UK Prime Suspect, is a better written, better acted program. 4 - The idea of a strong female crime-solver is no longer new. We have In Plain Sight, Castle, Bones, Body of Proof.... tSo, this Prime Suspect is an OK show -- and Maria Bello is interesting to watch, though not as tough as Kyra Sedgwick, as sarcastic as Mary McCormack, as hot as Stana Katic, as weird as Emily Deschanel or as bitchy as Dana Delaney.... In fairness, I've only seen two episodes, so maybe the writers can still come up with something to make the show different, other than the thick-headedness of its characters.

aadams I watched the British version with Helen Mirren which was a fantastic series. This new series with Maria Bello is a bit lighter and she is of course, younger -- although not young. Actually, I appreciate that someone 23 wasn't cast in the role with perfect hair, clothes and nails. Jane sometimes looks like an unmade bed. She is a tough character and I like the way she can both take and dish it out. She lives in the real world where life is harsh and she just accepts it. She's in her stride at her job and does it well, if not aways by the book. Well written, well directed, and fun to watch. Maria Bello is excellent in the role. Part of what makes it good is her restraint. The men detectives can be jerks, but is it just culture? They are becoming aware of Jane's strengths. That realization is fun to watch as they are hit in the face with Jane's abilities that they assumed couldn't possibly be there.