Prime Suspect 1973 viewers distracted as Inbetweeners actor overshadows dramatic episode
PRIME SUSPECT 1973 aired its second episode tonight but viewers were left distracted by Inbetweeners actor Blake Harrison.
Sneak peek at dramatic teaser for Prime Suspect 1973
Those at home couldn't cope with seeing Neil from The Inbetweeners in ITV's brand new cop drama prequel.
Episode two passed some at home by completely as they focused instead on Blake, who plays DS Spencer Gibbs in the new drama, portraying Jane Tennison in her early years with the Metrpolitan Police.
Social media was flooded with fans struggling to assimilate him into the role of a copper.
"#PrimeSuspect1973 can't get the Inbetweeners out of my head," one person commented.
Another said: "I can't can't see past this copper on #PrimeSuspect1973 as 'him off Inbetweeners'.
One Twitter user posted: "Why the heck is Neil from Inbetweeners playing a serious role in Prime Suspect, howling, can't take him seriously."
Whilst the central murder investigation ramped up and Stefanie Martini's Jane found herself caught up in a drunken kiss with her boss, DI Len Bradfield (played by Sam Reid), many just couldn't shake the awkwardness of Blake's casting.
Even with the episode's dramatic revelation that the victim's parents had been keeping her locked in her bedroom, despite having claimed they hadn't had recent contact with her, people only had eyes for the jarring casting.
"Neil from The Inbetweeners is on Prime Suspect wtf I can't look at him the same,"(sic) one person said.
Elsewhere, some were turned off by the "dire" script, criticising the clunky moments where writers continued to hammer home the year.
The script had DS Gibbs, sat in a suitably vintage car, rattling off his favourite bands to DI Bradfield: "Bolan, Quo, Slade, Kinks but no bl**dy Beatles."
"Love the concept but this script is dire. I'm out," said one social media user.
Another drew attention to a different sticky moment when a character uttered a particularly awkward line, saying: "'You'll pay for this!' Oh I am. In fact, I don't think I've heard a real human in real life say those exact words - EVER."
Prime Suspect 1973 continues next Thursday at 9pm on ITV.