ITV has announced that former Doctor Who star David Tennant will head the cast in a new drama series from Spooks and Hustle producers Kudos.
Tennant will play DI Alec Hardy; an out-of-town, newly promoted police detective in Broadchurch which also stars Jodie Whittaker, Andrew Buchan, Olivia Colman, Will Mellor and Arthur Darvill.
Bloodied and dirty, Danny Price has been found dead on an idyllic beach, surrounded by rocks and a jutting cliff-face from where he may have fallen.
The sadness of losing a child consumes Danny’s family, Beth and Mark Price (Whittaker and Buchan), their daughter 15 year old Lara and Beth’s mum, Liz as they attempt to cope with their grief.
Whilst Danny’s death remains unresolved, the picturesque coastal town of Broadchurch is at the heart of a major police investigation and a national media frenzy.
The drama is written by and Chris Chibnall, whose previous work includes United, Torchwood, Law & Order: UK and Doctor Who
“Broadchurch focuses on a small British community which finds itself at the eye of a storm. In the wake of one boy’s death, the residents of Broadchurch come under scrutiny and suspicion,” says Chibnall. “It’s a story of scale and intimacy, as the lives of the characters are laid bare,” he added.
Broadchurch has been commissioned for ITV1 by drama commissioning team, Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes.
“Broadchurch tells the story of a small community and the devastating emotional repercussions for everyone caught up in the mysterious death of a young boy,” said Mackie. “It’s not a ‘whodunit’ or a traditional police drama. Chris Chibnall’s superb scripts have attracted a stellar cast,” she added.
Filming for the eight-part drama will take place in Portishead and Dorset from mid August.