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NBC has found its Prime Suspect. Maria Bello is in final negotiations to play the iconic role originated by Helen Mirren in NBC’s remake of the hit British series.
Prime Suspect, from UMS and ITV Studio, centers on an iconoclastic female detective (Bello) who has to make her bones in a tough New York precinct that is dominated by men. The pilot was originally picked up last season but was pushed after difficulties casting the lead. (Back then, Bello was a top choice for NBC brass too.) The adaptation was given a revamp this development season with a new producing team, Peter Berg and Sarah Aubrey of Film 44, and new writer, Alexandra Cunningham. The three are executive producing the pilot, with Berg also set to direct. History of Violence co-star Bello, repped by CAA, manager John Carrabino and attorney Bob Myman, has a history at NBC. She spent a season on ER and did a two-episode arc on Law & Order: SVU last year.
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Bello has got some big Dame Helen Mirren shaped shoes to fill.
ANOTHER British remake!
REMAKE— WHY MAKE THIS DATED CONCEPT AT ALL???!!!
The time has long past in this country where a woman “has to make her bones in a tough NY precinct dominated by men.” RIDICULOUS.
Women have long ago proven themselves in law enforcement— and this insulting, backwards view only seeks to reinforce ancient stereotypes.
Not only do women serve throughout the ranks of law enforcement at every level of government— local, state and federal— but many are running the entire department, as well.
BULLETIN TO THE PRODUCERS—– as an example the CHIEF OF POLICE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., our nation’s capital, IS A WOMAN!!!!!!!!
Why not create a program that not only acknowledges such reality but elaborates upon the premise of a woman chief?
There is such a program. It’s called The Chicago Code on FOX.
SERIOUSLY, how stupid are you???
We are not talking abut A character in A program– the chief CHARACTER in “Chicago Code” and all of its two episodes— BUT AN ENTIRE TELEVISION SHOW PREDICATED UPON THE STEREOTYPE OF 30 years ago.
Maria Bello is a good choice.
Really? Can she top Dame Helen Mirren?
NBC’s been trying to do this for years…
ugh, i love me some maria bello, but this is all just one horrible idea. if it wasn’t broke, don’t fix it. reair it! don’t try to recreate it.
new ideas. please!? hello writers? hello networks? greenblat, you used to be original. now you’re just like the rest of ‘em.
God help us all. Maria Bello is a mess.
Bello’s been a severly underrated actress for years, and this is the break she’s been deserving. So she’s not Helen Mirren. Who the hell is? She’s be just fine. Excellent call, NBC!
Great call. Bello is severely underrated.
Now, we need to get Bello and Mirren in a film together.
Maria has the chops, the wit, and the stature. Terrific choice.
BRILLIANT CASTING!
I like Maria Bello most of the time (though the film Downloading Nancy and her performance in it were beyond atrocious) but surely I’m not the only one who’s sick to death of cop shows. Cop shows, lawyer shows, doctor shows. Do the networks not know any other professions?
Sounds great!
Another sassy female detective putting jackass male detectives and criminals in their place.
Fresh & original concept…yea, right.
Can’t wait to see her stand up for herself in the testosterone-poisoned precinct, just like every other female is scripted to do on TV.
Bello’s bella, but what a waste of her talents.
Then again, half of all net TV are cops & robber shows, so what else can she do?
Fantastic. She can bring her own overwrought spin. What a great casting choice. Bravo…..
cold as ice = TV
cold as ice = TV? How about insecurity and attitude = Bello – That would be more precise.
But the major networks don’t allow nudity.
Great casting. Excellent. Good work.
Good choice. Maria always delivers. She will bring her own take to the role that Mirren mastered for so long.
Perfect casting. Both Helen and Maria are gorgeous, can act amazingly, and both have no aversion to taking their clothes off!
Saw this and felt like they really got it right. And please stop comparing to HM — different show — different country — different context — MB is going to rock this role — hope the show is up to her!
Bello is great. Can’t disagree that it would be nice to see her in something that is not a remake, but she has terrific presence and was compelling in everything I’ve seen her in.
How do you mention Bello’s key credits and not reference “The Cooler.” That film put her on the map and is still her best role.
Hope the show is a huge hit. She’s so hot and talented. She was a standout wearing that cheerleader outfit in History of Violence. Tastes great and less filling.
I dig it…She is a good actress, minus Grown Ups…have NO idea why she would want to be in that TERRIBLE movie..
Maria Bello excellent choice. Now for the love of god please NBC film this show in “New York” if the setting takes place in the city. I am so tired of seeing shows filmed in LA or Toronto trying to double for New York, it doesn’t work.
Met Bello once here in Chicago when she was filming this straight-to-video movie with Pierce Brosnan downtown. She was getting a Starbucks. Nice lady. No fan of remakes but hope she does well here.