Prime Suspect’s 1970s spin-off has made its debut – but viewers thought it bore a striking resemblance to another hit show set in the same period.
ITV series Prime Suspect 1973 stars Stefanie Martini as Dame Helen Mirren’s Jane Tennison at the start of her career in the police, but viewers compared it to popular BBC drama Life On Mars.
Viewers commented on the similarities they saw between the programmes.
#PrimeSuspect1973 This is going to be like less cheery version of Life on Mars
— Sarah Trivuncic (@MaisonCupcake) March 2, 2017
@Brucebfg at times it felt a lot like a poor man’s Life on Mars but actually thought #PrimeSuspect1973 was really rather good
— Phil Ruston (@PRuston) March 2, 2017
Watching Life On Mars …. sorry #PrimeSuspect1973
— Leon 80s Radford (@Leon80sRadford) March 2, 2017
Some wondered whether Philip Glenister’s Life On Mars character Gene Hunt might make a crossover appearance.
I keep expecting to see Gene Hunt. #PrimeSuspect1973
— LeanneNorthumberland (@leauk84) March 2, 2017
What point does Gene Hunt rock up? #PrimeSuspect1973
— Alex Leam (@alexleam) March 2, 2017
Others found they missed the BBC series.
Watching #PrimeSuspect1973 just makes me want to watch Life on Mars all over again
— Olivia Jade Thrumble (@Livvy_Jade) March 2, 2017
However, there was praise for Stefanie’s portrayal of the character Dame Helen made famous.
Young Jane is giving the iconic character a good go and I love the slight references to the woman she later becomes. #PrimeSuspect1973
— ReBal Heart (@HausofKubrick) March 2, 2017
@Smartiniful Congrats on #PrimeSuspect1973. Filled some huge shoes brilliantly.
— Dan Johnson ن (@danwjonson) March 2, 2017
The programme’s soundtrack was also a hit with the audience.
#PrimeSuspect1973
Loved it and fantastic soundtrack!!!👏👏👏👏😁😁😁— Ali Sinclair (@blacktartanlass) March 2, 2017
Cat Stevens and Joe cocker I’m enjoying the music so far in #PrimeSuspect1973
— Tanya Edwards (@Crispie1975) March 2, 2017
Loving the music! Such memories! #PrimeSuspect1973
— Dexy (@Dex_starz) March 2, 2017
#PrimeSuspect1973 Best thing about watching this is going to be the period music … 70s music was awesome.
— The Thunder Tone (@tonypdickinson) March 2, 2017
Rising star Stefanie Martini has said she was determined not to “crumble” under the pressure of following in Dame Helen Mirren’s footsteps in the prequel.
The actress, 26, said: “I didn’t think about it as much of a pressure until I started re-watching the Prime Suspects for research and then it kind of slowly dawned on me what a big deal it was.
“But I also think that it’s very different.”
She continued: “I have to see it as a separate thing, appreciate and take what I can from her performance and the research I did on what she did, but then I also have to kind of let that go and treat it as my own interpretation.
“Not crumble under that pressure or see it as something bigger than me.”
Stefanie said the brilliant costumes from the period made the whole thing feel “really authentic”.
Prime Suspect 1973 trailer- less than a month to go now! https://t.co/kusw5IHL1z
— Stefanie Martini (@Smartiniful) February 11, 2017
“My denim waistcoat is maybe my favourite thing; I really wish I had managed to steal that in some way,” she joked.
“But yeah, they’re great costumes. I don’t get to wear other ones that often, but you know I quite like that.
“Her work is her passion, she’s not interested in fashion or boys or anything like that.”