Emmy nominees owe debt to Linda La Plante, who created 'Prime Suspect's' tough cop, Jane Tennison

Four of the five lead actresses nominated for their work in a dramatic series owe something to Jane Tennison -- the pioneering TV detective who was the centerpiece of the Liverpool native's award-winning British series "Prime Suspect," which later migrated to the United States and won its share of Emmys here.

There's Grace Hanadarko, the rebellious, world-weary Oklahoma City detective played by Holly Hunter on "Saving Grace"; LAPD Deputy Chief Brenda Johnson, strong and talented, but flawed, played by Kyra Sedgwick on “The Closer"; Olivia Benson, the Special Victims Unit's determined and professional detective played by Mariska Hargitay on “Law & Order: SVU"; and Patty Hewes, the manipulative, high-powered attorney at the top of her own firm played by Glenn Close in "Damages."

Darker than American shows such as "Police Woman" and "”Cagney & Lacey," "Prime Suspect," which was created by La Plante and starred Helen Mirren, is considered groundbreaking for placing a tough, mature and flawed woman at the helm of her own unit. Supported by legions of female fans, "Prime Suspect" practically established a new television genre: a dramatic ensemble series built around a complex, single woman trying to make it in a man's world. In the end, Tennison's appeal may have been that she was entirely human, someone who never quite seemed able to reconcile her devotion to work with a personal life.

In this year's Emmy race, La Plante gives the edge to Close because, she says, Close has the same kind of weight that Mirren brought to her role as a commanding detective in the London Metropolitan Police Department. It's an "unusual female quality," said La Plante, speaking from her London offices.

Hunter is a close second choice. "There's something so needy and angry about her," she said. Normally, an officer who messes up as often as Grace would be dismissed, La Plante said.

"Because she created this strong character you kind of ride with her," she added.

On the other hand, she said she could almost hear the discussion around the "Saving Grace" writers' table, starting with: " 'How can we make this different?' Somebody comes up with the idea, 'Why don't we have an angel?' 'Hang on a second, would he have wings?' "