RIZZOLI & ISLES Wins Women’s Image Network Awards

TNT’s hit series Rizzoli & Isles won Best Drama at the Women’s Image Network Awards last year, with Sasha Alexander picking up the trophy for Best Actress in a Drama. The WIN Awards honor deserving entertainment industry professionals who create dimensional portrayals of women in film and television. In this case, they’re honoring a cop show that dares to have two women as the leads. Not two male buddy cops, not a male and a female partnership, but two women. And the show is a hit.

When I first heard that Tess Gerritsen’s series was being adapted for TV, I was both excited and wary. Excited because the books are very good and because they portray women in power in a positive but still human way. Wary because, well, book adaptations don’t always turn out well, and the two leads would have to have tremendous chemistry to play Rizzoli and Isles well. Fortunately my concerns were put to rest in the first season.

Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander have terrific chemistry and are quite believable as BFF’s, but also as powerful women within their chosen careers. At the same time, they’re human and funny and vulnerable and they don’t always agree. Their lives don’t revolve around the men in their lives nor do they pull petty girl crap. Paired with The Closer and Brenda Lee Johnson’s own foibles and triumphs, Rizzoli & Isles makes for some excellent TV. Tune in for a new season Monday, July 11 on TNT.

See the reason why Rizzoli & Isles won Best Drama at the 2010 Women’s Image Network Awards. The first season is now available on DVD.

I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote Rizzoli & Isles Season One on DVD. All opinions are my own.