The show follows a young Jane Tennison (Stefanie Martini - Doctor Thorne) who, at 22, is just starting out on her career in policing in 1970s London.

The prequel is based on a book by Prime Suspect creator Lynda La Plante. It explains how Tennison became such a powerful presence in the London Met and the personal sacrifices that she made for her career.

Sam Reid (The Riot Club, The Railway Man) and Blake Harrison (Inbetweeners, Dad’s Army) also join the cast as Tennison’s superiors, DCI Len Bradfield and DS Spencer Gibbs.

Alun Armstrong (New Tricks, Little Dorrit), Ruth Sheen (Unforgotten, Inside No.9), Lex Shrapnel (Medici: Masters of Florence) and Jay Taylor (Promise) are cast as crime family members Clifford, Renee, John and David Bentley.

Jessica Gunning (Jericho, Fortitude) is also cast as fellow WPC Kath Morgan alongside Andrew Brooke (Babylon, Da Vinci’s Demons) as Jane’s senior officer Sergeant Harris.

Nick Sidi (Silent Witness, DCI Banks) and Geraldine Somerville (Silent Witness, New Tricks) are cast as Jane’s parents, Andrew and Joyce.

Rosie Day (Outlander, Cuffs) will play Jane’s sister Pam. Further cast includes Joshua Hill (Death in Paradise, Vera) as DC Edwards, Daniel Ezra (Undercover, Prey) as DC Ashton, Tommy McDonnell (Jericho, Glue) as DC Hudson, and Jordan Long (Unforgotten, The Wrong Mans) as DS Paul Lawrence.