Broadchurch is a small British coastal seaside town. One morning, Beth Latimer (Jodie Whittaker) discovers that her son Danny is missing and the police finds his body on the beach. Detective inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant) has recently arrived trying to get away from the big city and a previous case. Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) is bitter that Alec got her promotion. Her son Tom knows Danny personally. Her nephew Olly is an ambitious cub reporter willing to do what it takes to get a job on a big paper. As the investigation proceeds, the murder and the uncovered dirty secrets bring a media circus to town. The first series ends with a shocking arrest.
The show starts with a matriarchal primal scream. The small seaside town has an idyllic veneer but underneath is a hidden ugliness. It's the well worn genre of the secret small town life. The beautiful locations contrast perfectly with the sickening investigation. The three lead actors Olivia Colman, David Tennant, and Jodie Whittaker are all terrific. The first series is only 8 episodes long which keeps the story tight and compelling. There are loads of dark secrets revealed. The second series deals with the trial. There are good additional characters but the main mystery tension is gone. Any new twists become a little tired. The quality remains high but the tension is lower. The third and final series follows some new and old characters. There is a new case but the old case continues. The initial episode has a different digital camera feel and it loses the cinematic feel. The later episodes look better. The story is a good investigation which hearkens back to the first series.
The show starts with a matriarchal primal scream. The small seaside town has an idyllic veneer but underneath is a hidden ugliness. It's the well worn genre of the secret small town life. The beautiful locations contrast perfectly with the sickening investigation. The three lead actors Olivia Colman, David Tennant, and Jodie Whittaker are all terrific. The first series is only 8 episodes long which keeps the story tight and compelling. There are loads of dark secrets revealed. The second series deals with the trial. There are good additional characters but the main mystery tension is gone. Any new twists become a little tired. The quality remains high but the tension is lower. The third and final series follows some new and old characters. There is a new case but the old case continues. The initial episode has a different digital camera feel and it loses the cinematic feel. The later episodes look better. The story is a good investigation which hearkens back to the first series.