Smallscreen News

BBC America debuts new David Tennant starring drama 'Broadchurch' in 2013

By April MacIntyre Jan 5, 2013, 21:55 GMT

David Tennant - © Landmark / PR Photos

Today at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena,  BBC America announced the eight part ensemble drama Broadchurch starring David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Vicky McClure and Arthur Darvill.

A small community becomes the focus of a major murder investigation and is under the buglight of the media.

"Broadchurch" will premiere as part of BBC AMERICA’s groundbreaking drama block, Dramaville, in 2013.

From the producers of The Hour, MI-5 and Life on Mars, Kudos Film and Television, Broadchurch is written and created by Chris Chibnall with Richard Stokes as producer and Jane Featherstone and Chibnall as executive producers. James Strong has directed the first two episodes and episodes seven and eight of the series.

From BBC America 

The drama centers on the investigation into the murder of a young boy in a British seaside town.  Leading the investigation are two detectives, strong yet compassionate local Detective Sergeant, Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman), and newcomer Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant), a by-the-book investigator and just! appointed as Ellie’s boss.  By circumstance they are partnered to solve the murder, keeping the newspapers from derailing the investigation and trying to prevent the crime impacting tourism at the beach where the boy was murdered. The cast also includes Jodie Whittaker as Beth, Andrew Buchan as Mark, Will Mellor playing Stephen Turner and sees Arthur Darvill as the town priest Paul Coates.

"Broadchurch focuses on a small British community which f! inds itself at the eye of a storm. In the wake of one boy’s death, the residents of Broadchurch come under scrutiny and suspicion," said Chris. "It’s a story of scale and intimacy, as the lives of the characters are laid bare," he added.

"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 Broad! church. 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," added Jane.