British "Suspect" nabbed by NBC

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - "Prime Suspect," the British television drama starring Helen Mirren as no-nonsense detective chief inspector Jane Tennison, is getting a U.S. makeover on NBC.

The broadcaster has committed to a pilot based on the acclaimed U.K. series, which will be written by "Without a Trace" creator Hank Steinberg.

"Prime," which will be developed as a two-hour presentation, will be co-produced by ITV Studios and Universal Media Studios.

It is part of a two-year three-project deal between NBC and ITV Studios, the company behind such reality series as Fox's "Hell's Kitchen."

"We want to carefully choose a couple of iconic titles this year to reinvent, and our intention is to create another classic television show from this brilliant original format," said Angela Bromstad, NBC and UMS president of primetime entertainment.

She noted Steinberg's "key" role in securing the "Prime" format and praised his "modern vision for the show."

Created by Lynda La Plante, "Prime" featured Mirren in a star-making turn.

The series, which ended its five-year run in 2006, garnered more than 20 international awards, including Emmys for best miniseries and best lead actress in a movie or miniseries for Mirren. In the U.S., "Prime" aired on PBS.

At NBC, "Prime" is one of two classic drama formats being remade this development season, along with "The Rockford Files," which is shepherded by "House" creator David Shore.

Steinberg also co-created ABC's drama "The Nine" and penned the HBO movie "61*."

(Editing by Sheri Linden at Reuters)