NBC Shuts Down Production on 'Prime Suspect'

Adam Taylor/NBC"Prime Suspect" When production on NBC rookie drama Prime Suspect ends this month, it may likely be a permanent goodbye for the cast and crew. A day after the struggling Maria Bello drama was left off NBC's midseason schedule, a source confirms to The Hollywood Reporter that production on the series will indeed close at month's end. STORY: NBC Sets Midseason Schedule, Moves 'Whitney,' 'Up All Night,' More While the network in October ordered six additional scripts for the drama, a reboot of the BBC franchise that starred Helen Mirren, the series will likely complete its run before the network considers its options. Prime Suspectthus far has consistently registered a last-place finish in its Thursday at 10 p.m. slotagainst CBS' The Mentalist and ABC's Private Practice. STORY: 'Prime Suspect' Future Uncertain, 'Community' Will Be Back NBC's experiment in samplingPrime Suspect on different nights on its schedule has also not proven fruitful enough. To date, the reboot is averaging 4.97 million viewers and a 1.4 rating following the NBC comedies. Freshman drama The Firm will take over Prime Suspect's Thursday at 10 p.m. slot starting Jan. 12. Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit Prime Suspect