Universal brings in Prime Suspect

UK digital network Universal Channel has picked up the ill-fated US adaptation of British crime drama Prime Suspect.

Universal, which is carried by Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk, will air all 13 episodes of the show, following a deal with distributor ITV Studios Global Entertainment. The NBC series was produced by Universal Media Studios, ITV Studios America and Film 44.

The procedural series debuted on NBC last September but was pulled from its Thursday primetime schedule in mid-November when ratings steadily fell from 6.05 million to around four million. The show returned to air in December, before a double bill finale in January.

The series transported the British version to New York City where a homicide detective, played by Maria Bello, joins the NYPD.

Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights) and Alexandra Cunningham (Desperate Housewives) exec produced Prime Suspect USA, with Cunningham writing and Berg directing. Sarah Aubrey, Julie Meldal-Johnsen, Paul Buccieri, Lynda La Plante and John McNamara also exec produced.

David Ball, channel director for Universal, said the show was “US procedural crime drama at its very best and we are extremely proud to give it a prime position in our summer line-up of new premium content.”

Prime Suspect has previously been sold to broadcasters in more than 30 countries, including Nine Network (Australia), TVNZ (New Zealand), Diva Universal (Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan), Kanal 5 (Sweden) and TV3 (Ireland).