David Tennant Returns to BBC America in Broadchurch!

Following his stint as the tenth Doctor on Doctor Who – and a satisfyingly tense turn on the miniseries, Spies of Warsaw – David Tennant will be back on American television as by-the-book DI (Detective Inspector) Alec Hardy, a dour, bristly sort whose recent posting to Broadchurch makes him the superior officer to Olivia Colman’s DS (Detective Sergeant) Ellie Miller in Broadchurch (BBC America, Wednesdays, 10/9C).

The eight-episode series is centered around the murder of a young boy, and explores the impact of the murder on the quiet seaside town. Check out the press release, after jump, for more details – including episode taglines and character descriptions. Broadchurch premieres on August 7th.

UK TWITTER RECORD-BREAKING DRAMA BROADCHURCH COMES TO BBC AMERICA’S DRAMAVILLE

Critically acclaimed series stars BAFTA-winning actress Olivia Colman and Emmy-winning actor David Tennant

Two-time BAFTA-winning actress Olivia Colman (The Iron Lady, Twenty Twelve) and Emmy-winning actor David Tennant (Doctor Who, Spies of Warsaw) star in the new gripping drama Broadchurch, created and written by Chris Chibnall (Law & Order: UK, Torchwood). The new series centers on a quiet seaside town following the shocking murder of a young boy and the impact it has on the tight-knit community when everyone becomes a suspect. Broadchurch is the most tweeted UK drama ever. Broadchurch premieres Wednesday, August 7, 10:00pm ET/PT as part of Dramaville.

“Broadchurch is a hybrid: a cocktail of stories. A drama about a community racked by grief and suspicion. A whodunit, packed with suspects. A character-driven, emotional thriller, thick with twists and turns,” says writer and executive producer Chris Chibnall.

Leading the investigation are two detectives – the strong yet compassionate local Detective Sergeant, Ellie Miller (Colman), and the by-the-book Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (Tennant), Ellie’s newly appointed boss.  By circumstance they are partnered to solve the murder, keeping the newspapers from derailing the investigation and trying to prevent the crime from impacting tourism at the beach where the boy was murdered. The detectives are forced to put personal connections to the case aside to solve the crime that has changed the quaint community forever. 

"We’re proud to have cast an outstanding array of Britain’s finest performers to appear in Broadchurch," said executive producer Jane Featherstone. "The drama is a snapshot of modern Britain. Its community represents a microcosm of life as we know it with the character of Ellie part of the fabric of Broadchurch. She’s lived amidst the people in this coastal town all her life so when the fabric begins to tear it’s Ellie who will feel the impact the hardest.”

The all-star ensemble cast also includes Jodie Whittaker (One Day, Venus) and Andrew Buchan (Bones, Cranford) as the boy’s grieving parents Beth and Mark Latimer; Arthur Darvill (Doctor Who) as the town priest Reverend Paul Coates; David Bradley (Game of Thrones, An Adventure in Space and Time), as local shop owner Jack Marshall; Matthew Gravelle (The Bible) as Ellie’s supportive husband Joe Miller; Jonathan Bailey (Leonardo) as up-and-coming local reporter Olly Stevens who is attempting to make the case his big break; Vicky McClure (This is England) as eager London reporter Karen White and Pauline Quirke (Birds of a Feather) as mysterious loner Susan Wright.  

James Strong (Downton Abbey, The Great Train Robbery, Doctor Who) has directed the first two episodes and episodes seven and eight of the series. Richard Stokes (Silk, Law & Order: UK, Torchwood) is producer and Jane Featherstone (The Hour, Life on Mars, Law & Order: UK) and Chibnall are executive producers. Broadchurch is a Kudos and Imaginary Friends co-production and distributed by Shine International.

CAST AND PRODUCTION CREDITS:

DI Alec Hardy                          David Tennant

DS Ellie Miller                           Olivia Colman

Mark Latimer                            Andrew Buchan

Beth Latimer                             Jodie Whittaker

Karen White                            Vicky McClure

Rev Paul Coates                       Arthur Darvill

Susan Wright                           Pauline Quirke

Steve Connelly                         Will Mellor

Maggie Radcliffe                        Carolyn Pickles

Joe Miller                                  Matthew Gravelle

Becca Fisher                             Simone McAullay

Olly Stevens                             Jonathan Bailey

Danny Latimer                          Oskar McNamara

Chloe Latimer                          Charlotte Beaumont

Liz Roper                                  Susan Brown

Tom Miller                               Adam Wilson

Nige Carter                              Joe Sims

Jack Marshall                             David Bradley

Dean Thomas                           Jacob Anderson

Directors                                 James Strong, Euros Lyn

Producer                                  Richard Stokes

Executive Producer

and Lead Writer                       Chris Chibnall

Executive Producer                  Jane Featherstone

Broadchurch is a Kudos and Imaginary Friends co-production and distributed by Shine International.

CHARACTERS:

Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant)

Alec Hardy is a recent arrival in Broadchurch, having fled big city life for a small-town fresh start. An experienced detective, Hardy’s name was tarnished quite publicly when he found himself at the center of a scandal surrounding a major case he was investigating. When 11-year-old Danny Latimer turns up dead on the beach, Hardy knows he’s facing another tough case – but this time he’s determined to get it right.

Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman)

Wife, mother and police officer, Ellie Miller returns from leave to find a series of unpleasant surprises awaiting her. The job she had been promised before she left has been given to uptight newcomer Alec Hardy. And her son’s best friend Danny Latimer has just been found dead. Despite her resentment over losing her promotion, and her emotional connection to the case, Ellie must find a way to work with Hardy to piece together the truth surrounding Danny’s murder.

Beth Latimer (Jodie Whittaker)

Beth is faced with every parent’s worst nightmare when her son Danny is found murdered. Overcome with grief, Beth struggles to lead her family through the tragedy, but with a distraught, rebellious teenage daughter and an emotionally distant husband, it’s all Beth can do to keep herself together, let alone her family. 

Mark Latimer (Andrew Buchan)

The town’s plumber Mark is popular among the locals, but everyone has their secrets. A strained marriage is only the tip of the iceberg, and when his son Danny dies, Mark struggles to keep his skeletons from being laid bare.

Joe Miller (Matthew Gravelle)

Joe is a devoted father and husband, looking after the house and kids as his wife Ellie investigates the murder of Danny Latimer.

Tom Miller (Adam Wilson)

Ellie’s son Tom was Danny Miller’s best friend. When Danny’s body is discovered, Tom begins acting strangely – could he know something about his friend’s murder?

Maggie Radcliffe (Carolyn Pickles)

Maggie is a veteran reporter and editor of the Broadchurch Echo. She encourages her staff, especially young reporter Olly Stevens, and holds them to high standards. Years of experience have left Maggie with strong moral convictions, and a need to seek the truth, even at high personal cost.

Olly Stevens (Jonathan Bailey)

Olly is an eager local reporter, and Ellie’s nephew, who wants nothing more than to make it to the big league. Small towns have small news, but this case may be his ticket out of Broadchurch. Desperate to write national headlines, Olly will do anything to get his story, regardless of who he hurts along the way.

Karen White (Vicky McClure)

Karen is a London based journalist who would do anything for an exciting story to get her out of a slump. When she hears about the murder in Broadchurch, she uses the opportunity propel her career. 

Reverend Paul Coates (Arthur Darvill)

As the local religious leader, Paul must find a way to keep his vicarage from falling to pieces when tragedy strikes – but can he do that and still keep his own demons at bay?

Susan Wright (Pauline Quirke)

A mysterious loner who cares more for her dog than her neighbors, Susan can usually be found lurking in the shadows, watching, but rarely interacting with the other locals.

Jack Marshall (David Bradley)

Longtime Broadchurch resident and owner of the local shop where Danny worked as a paperboy.

Nige Carter (Joe Sims)

Employee at Mark Latimer’s plumbing company and trusted family friend.

Becca Fisher (Simone McAullay)

Flirty Australian hotelier who is struggling to fill rooms once news of the crime deters people from visiting the beach.

EPISODE SYNOPSES:

EPISODE ONE – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 10:00PM ET/PT

The body of 11 year old Danny Latimer is found on the beach in Broadchurch – local police officers DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller are called to investigate a case that will change the town forever…

EPISODE TWO – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14, 10:00PM ET/PT

As the mystery around Danny Latimer’s death deepens, DI Hardy and DS Miller must work fast to identify the key suspects. But where is the murder scene? And how will the Latimer family continue to cope?

EPISODE THREE – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 10:00PM ET/PT

Fingerprints at the murder scene lead DI Hardy and DS Miller to a startling suspect in Danny’s murder. Meanwhile, Steve Connelly has a message for Beth.

EPISODE FOUR – WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 10:00PM ET/PT

The aftershocks of Danny’s murder continue to ripple through the town, as friends and neighbors’ lives come under scrutiny. Beth and Mark decide to take matters into their own hands to get news of Danny’s murder into the newspapers.

EPISODE FIVE – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 10:00PM ET/PT

As Hardy and Ellie come under fire, the people of Broadchurch start to turn against each other. Will a vital new piece of evidence lead Ellie and Hardy to the killer?

EPISODE SIX – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 10:00PM ET/PT

The town of Broadchurch comes together to mourn. In doing so, a new suspect in the murder of Danny Latimer comes to light. Meanwhile, Beth and Mark turn to local priest Paul – can he help them move on?

EPISODE SEVEN – WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 10:00PM ET/PT

Time is running out to solve Danny’s murder – will the discovery of a vital clue finally unlock the case? Meanwhile, Beth and Mark take an important step in moving on with their lives.

EPISODE EIGHT – WEDNESDAY, October 2, 10:00PM ET/PT

As the town comes together to mourn Danny, the final piece of the puzzle falls into place, and Danny’s killer is revealed.

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Photos courtesy of BBC America