Prime Suspect prequel in works

British crime writer Lynda La Plante has revealed she is writing a prequel to Prime Suspect, the long-running procedural drama which starred Dame Helen Mirren.

La Plante told BBC Radio 4’s Front Row she has started work on the book Tennison, which she will adapt into a TV series in 2016, marking the 25th anniversary of the ITV show.

Dame Helen Mirren played DCI Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect, which ran for seven series on ITV in the 1980s and 90s.

However, La Plante said she doubted the Oscar-winning actress would return for her new project.

The prequel would follow Tennison when she joins the police force in the late 1970s or early 1980s.

La Plante’s book will be published in 2015 with the TV adaptation coming a year later.