Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff was reportedly once considered for a major television role before being named as a presenter on Top Gear . The ex-cricketer was tapped for his “quiet charisma”, claims a leading crime novelist. Former actress Lynda Joy La Plante is perhaps best known for writing the police procedural series Prime Suspect .
Starring Dame Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison, the programme ran from April 1991 to 2006. Almost 11 years later, the 81-year-old brought the prequel series Prime Suspect: 1973 to ITV for a single season. In her new memoir, Getting Away with Murder: My Unexpected Life on Page, Stage and Screen, Lynda has revealed she originally eyed Freddie, 46, for the role of DCI Bradfield.
The part was eventually handed to Australian actor Sam Reid after bosses claimed the Field of Dreams star was “not good enough.” As reported by the Daily Star , Lynda discussed casting DCI Bradfield in her book. “Of course, I came out of left field with my first suggestion but I really did think it would work.
“I'd been glued to the sports game show A League of Their Own hosted by James Corden . The ex-cricketer Freddie Flintoff captained one team and I found myself drawn in by him. What an interesting Bradfield he might make, I thought.
” It’s understood Lynda approached Freddie before he was announced as a Top Gear co-host in 2018 to gauge his interest in the role. As reported by the outlet, she recalled: "After I contacted Freddie's manager and met with .