Viewers in the Los Angeles market will have an opportunity to compare and contrast NBC’s new police procedural “Prime Suspect” with the original British drama that provided the inspiration for it.

KCET-TV, billed as the nation’s largest independent public television station since its recent departure from the PBS fold, announced plans to air the complete first season of the acclaimed U.K. version of “Prime Suspect.” The 12 one-hour episodes will be televised each Wednesday night at 9 p.m., starting Sept. 21.

NBC’s series, which the network calls a “reimagining” of the British show, premieres the following night, with Maria Bello and Aidan Quinn heading up the cast.

The U.K. series stars Oscar winner Helen Mirren as Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison, described by KCET as “a tenacious, difficult and brilliant detective.”

“The original ‘Prime Suspect’ has become an iconic dramatic series due to its smart story lines and extraordinary acting,” Bohdan Zachary, KCET’s vice president of Broadcasting & Program Development, said in a statement. “We thought it would be great to give viewers a unique vantage point with the chance to see the much-heralded British version of ‘Prime Suspect’ from the beginning before they watch a new Americanized one.”

One big difference between the NBC and KCET telecasts: KCET’s “Prime Suspect” will air without commercials.