Absolutely loved the first 'Prime Suspect' series. It was to me some of the best television to grace my television set. 'Prime Suspect II' was every bit as good, the two are about equal in terms of quality, for the same reasons as before.'Prime Suspect III' was watched with high expectations when seeing all the 'Prime Suspect' series over-time since reviewing the first series last year. Those expectations were not just met but also surpassed. It has all the things that made the previous two 'Prime Suspect' series so great, and stands out even more because of the characterisation which was even richer and because of the story and its heavier themes than before.It is stylishly and cleverly filmed, with slick editing and atmospheric lighting, and there is a consistently wonderful atmosphere throughout. It is a dark and gritty atmosphere, 'Prime Suspect' in general is both those things story-wise and visually but 'Prime Suspect III' is one of the stronger examples, while also being effectively claustrophobic. It is very hard to forget the music score too. The scripting, like its predecessor, is some of the best there is of any mystery/detective drama, being superbly constructed and intelligent.The story is 'Prime Suspect' at its darkest, most hard-hitting and grittiest for the intense subject matter alone, but in some ways also at its most honest, intricate and emotional. It is a complex story that keeps one guessing right up to the end while also being easy to follow. The interrogation scenes are some of the most harrowing of the whole 'Prime Suspect' franchise, both intensely shocking and even brings tears to the eyes.Jane Tennison continues to be an interesting character, the character and the depiction of the police force was very ahead of the time back in the 90s and holds much fascination now even if not so novel.Helen Mirren gives a typically magnificent performance in the lead, and she has one of her best supporting casts of all the 'Prime Suspect' series that include Peter Capaldi and Mark Strong in early roles and a standout turn from Tom Bell as oily Sergeant Otley. Excelling also are David Thewlis, who has never been more thuggish, and Ciaran Hinds at his most mysterious.In conclusion, along with the previous two 'Prime Suspect' series, 'Prime Suspect III' is the franchise at its best. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Prime Suspect 3 is by far the darkest of the series. It also marks the departure of series creator and writer Lynda La Plante. The later series suffer from her absence.SPOILERS: Helen Mirren returns as DCI Tennison, newly transferred to Vice. She finds herself reunited with old nemesis Sgt. Bill Otley. Otley still doesn't like her, but they forge a wary alliance to conduct an investigation into the death of a young male prostitute, which overlaps with an ongoing effort to clean up a problem with "rent boys", male child prostitutes. The operations have been compromised at every turn and there are rumors of a cover-up. Tennison comes across characters like Vera Reynolds, a female impersonator and friend of the murder victim; James Jackson, a pimp and dangerous predator; and Edward Parker-Jones, an apparent humanitarian administrator of a youth center, with a hidden, evil past.Tennison finds herself stonewalled at every turn and becomes suspicious of her superiors' motives. She uncovers spies within her team and secrets upon secrets.The performances are spectacular. Mirren is always good in these productions. Tom Bell adds new dimension to the misogynist Otley. He shows a humane side when he talks with the young exploited boys. David Thewlis moves across the screen like a wolf among lambs; a flawless performance. Peter Capaldi is riveting as the fragile and frightened Vera/Vernon Reynolds.The series examines the dark and sinister world of these young, exploited "rent boys". Most are runaways, living on the streets. It also examines the lives of homosexuals and the prejudices they often face; and, the courage it takes to live openly, as illustrated by an officer on Tennison's team. It enters the horrid world of pedophiles and shows how they destroy innocent lives. It also shows how many equate homosexuality with pedophilia, through the attitudes of many on the police force. The series takes the courageous route by showing good and bad examples amongst the gay characters, and that the pedophiles are almost entirely heterosexual.Make no mistake, this series is depressing. There is little satisfaction to be found in the end; except for the feeling that you have witnessed something honest and amazing. The series provides no answers to the problems it shows, they are too complex. But it does force you to think about them and make you care; and that is what great drama can do.

At first, we had a hard time understanding the accents, but by the second episode we caught up and enjoyed it a great deal. Then again, we were watching a home-taped VHS copy, so the sound was a little muted.The acting and the writing were excellent.

Prime Suspect 3 is probably the grittiest of the Prime Suspects, in my opinion. While "The Lost Child" is disturbing, and Prime Suspect 1 is heartbreaking, Prime Suspects 3 delves into an examination of the world of London "rentboys," young male prostitutes hired mainly by other men. This may be the one which deals most sensitively with the ever-present personal life conflicts of DCI Tennison's co-workers and cohorts, and it doesn't hold back on letting us know just how intense some of those personal issues are. The cast is huge, the murder itself unbelievably complex, and the resolution is probably the most jarring of any of the movies' last fifteen minutes (always the best part of any murder mystery). Helen Mirren is DCI Tennison to a tee, and of the Prime Suspects, this might well be my favorite.