Prime Suspect 2 (1992) (TV)

Director:

John Strickland

Writers:

Allan Cubitt (writer)
Lynda La Plante (story)

Release Date:

15 December 1992 (UK)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Plot:

DCI Jane Tennison's investigation of a murder is complicated with the unexpected participation of her secret lover in her detective unit.

Plot Keywords:

Investigation | Detective | Lover | Murder | Secret

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Helen Mirren	...	DCI Jane Tennison
Colin Salmon	...	Sergeant Robert Oswalde
John Benfield	...	D Supt Michael Kernan
Jack Ellis	...	DI Tony Muddyman
Craig Fairbrass	...	D.I. Frank Burkin
Richard Hawley	...	DS Richard Haskons
Philip Wright	...	DC Lillie
Ian Fitzgibbon	...	DC Jones
Andrew Tiernan	...	DC Rosper
Stafford Gordon	...	Commander Trayner
Lloyd McGuire	...	Sergeant Calder
Stephen Boxer	...	DCI Thorndike
Nirjay Mahindru	...	Asian PC
Claire Benedict	...	Esme Allen
George Harris	...	Vernon Allen

Also Known As:

Prime Suspect 2: Operation Nadine (Europe) (DVD title)

Runtime:

203 min (4 parts)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:Approved

Company:

Granada Television

Trivia:

In a 2006 interview, Helen Mirren stated that 'what did shock me profoundly was we had a storyline, where a house had been bought and they're re-modeling the garden and they find a dead body and then they find another one. And in my mind I was going - that's a little bit, you know, that's pushing it a bit - and then very shortly after that the Rosemary and Fred West case came about and I thought - my god. My god. Not only was it realistic. The real world went so much further'.

Quotes:

D Supt Michael Kernan: Senior policemen are politicians first and foremost, Jane. Remember that if you're up for super.

Movie Connections:

References Conan the Barbarian (1982)

Just Two Comments?

Yes, this terrific four-hour (really 3.? hours) miniseries (actually, just a long movie when you think about it) deserves far more accolades on this here site.

I don't have much to add, except to say that I thought this was a notable improvement on PS I -- truly impressive stuff that, for me, didn't QUITE live up to the hype.

This one, however, exceeds it. If you're a fellow fan of T.V. police procedurals, this is possibly better than even the very best episodes of "Homicide" and definitely far more fleshed out and believable than any episode of "Cracker" -- and with an lead actor every bit the equal of the amazing Robbie Coltrane. This one was powerful stuff indeed, upsetting at times, complex in the best possible way and constantly fascinating.

And Helen Mirren as Jane Tennyson is, in her own way, almost as morally ambiguous and psychologically messed up as poly-addicted Fitz of "Cracker"...In a world where most movie cops fear promotions and the specter of a desk job more than death itself, she just may be the first truly careerist detective hero.

The only thing missing is that there's little humor here, but that's probably appropriate too. In the case of Jane Tennyson, a policeman's lot is definitely not a happy one!