LA Screenings 2011: NBC picks up Prime Suspect, ITV Studios to distribute

NBC has picked up Prime Suspect, a US remake of the UK crime series. TBIvision understands that US broadcast network has the show for its 2010-2011 season and UK producer and distributor ITV Studios will handle all international sales.

The US series will be coproduced by ITV Studios America and Universal Media Studios.

The deal was put together by ITVS president Paul Buccieri and SVP, business development and business affairs, scripted and digital media, Julie Meldal-Johnsen.

A US version of the series has been long talked about and NBC and ITV inked a pact in late 2009. Under the terms of that agreement, the US broadcaster was expected to take two scripted and an entertainment series.

Prime Suspect, from UK crime writer and screenwriter Lynda La Plante, was a hit for ITV in the UK where seven instalments ran between 1991 and 2006. The central character is tough female detective Jane Tennison, played by Helen Mirren (The Queen) in the UK version.

Maria Bello (The Mummy) will play the female lead in the US series. Sources confirmed to TBIvision that Prime Suspect has been ordered by NBC. The pilot was written by Alex Cunningham (Desperate Housewives).

The network has also reportedly picked up two UMS-produced comedy series Whitney and Up All Night and musical comedy Smash, a Glee-esque musical series based on a concept from Steven Spielberg.