Although this may be old news to some, I just learned that a new television show, based on Tess Gerittsen's detective/thriller series, will premiere on TNT Monday, July 12, 10/9 Central. The show, entitled "Rizzoli and Isles," concerns detective Jane Rizzoli and medical examiner Maura Isles. Angie Harmon will play Rizzoli; Sasha Alexander is Isles. Supporting characters include:

• Lorraine Bracco as Rizzoli's mother, Angela
• Lee Thompson Young as Detective Barry Frost
•  Bruce McGill as Detective Vince Korsak
• Jordan Bridges as Rizzoli's brother, Frankie Rizzoli, Jr.

http://www.tnt.tv/series/rizzoliandisles/display/?contentId=58621

Ice Cold, the latest book in this series, was released June 29.

Well, I saw an advertisement for the show but didn't put two and two together.  Thanks for the light bulb moment!

I saw the advertisement for the show.  I plan on watching Monday.  But I have to say that Angie Harmon does not fit my picture of Jane Rizzoli.  There are also a few other characters that I don't think are going to be as they were in the books.  Anyway, that is to be expected whenever a book is adapted for a movie or television show. 

Neither of the lead acresses fit the characters from what I've seen of the previews. I will watch because this is one of my favorite series, but I will have to put my preconceived notions aside of the characters I guess.

This is the first I hear of this - that's tomorrow! I'm going to watch it but the jury's gonna be out. The book is always so much better....

Was it Angie Harmon that was in the Women's Murder Club series a couple or so years back? I didn't care for that adaption of the series at all. I do like Sasha Alexander a lot, though. Harmon not so much.

Gail

Yes, Angie Harmon was in the Women's Murder Club.  She was also a long standing prosecutor in the original Law & Order series.  Sasha Alexander is best known to me from NCIS.

I've got my Tivo set up to record...I'm really hoping the series doesn't disappoint!

The Rizzoli / Isles series by Gerritsen is one of my favorites.    They are intense mystery/thrillers.   So I am happy that they are being made into a TV series.

But as with any of my favorite books that are converted to the screen  (big or little screen), I am always a little leary of how it will be translated.  I never expect a direct translation from the book(s) to the screen.   You have to make allowances for the medium of TV or movies.    What is always important to me is that the essence of the story comes through.   

I was a little disappointed to hear that Angie Harmon is playing Rizzoli.    It's not that I don't like Angie Harmon.  I do.  Loved her on Law & Order and in every movie I've ever seen her in.    But the character of Rizzoli is not really beautiful.    For me that's one of the important elements of the Rizzoli / Isles series.   And Angie Harmon is most definitely beautiful.   

So I'm happy, but will reserve judgement until I see it.

There is a short Rizzoli/Isles story here with a new chapter every Monday: http://www.tnt.tv/series/rizzoliandisles/blog/?contentId=63303

I saw it. It  was ok. I knew seeing the previews that they really didn't have the characters right physically, so I didn't expect it to follow the books and it didn't. Rizzoli was too attractive and Isles was too flamboyant and outgoing, IMO.

i enjoyed the second episode more than the first. Maybe just getting used to the characters.

Wasn't like the books, but I liked it, surprisingly....

Denise

I just recently started getting the books when I see them at garage sales so I haven't read them yet, but I'm TOTALLY HOOKED on the show!  I just love Angie Harmon so it's nice to see her back.  The show makes me want to start reading the books now!

I love the show.  I might have to pick up the series again.  They got lost in my TBR mountain.

Yup, it's growing on me! The 10 episodes that constitute Season One will finish airing in September. Meanwhile, TNT has decided to give Rizzoli & Isles a second season. Thirteen episodes have been ordered for Season Two. They're expected to air sometime in 2011.

Hey Anna, today is your PBS 4 year anniversary!  :)  Congratulations!

The show is OK on its own, but it doesn't really seem like a show based on the books.

The characters definitely do NOT match up to the book series.  The actress playing Isles definitely doesn't match up with the personality or the physical look of the character in the series. 

However, it might be a good show.  I'm just going to try to keep it separate from the book series in my mind.  The show BONES totally ruined the book series for me.