James R | On 24, May 2016

Sir Lenny Henry and Roy Hudd have joined the cast of Broadchurch, as the show begins filming its third and final season.

The new chapter in Chris Chibnall’s series will herald a brand new case for Miller and Hardy, with the detectives reuniting to investigate a serious sexual assault. Based on a year of research with Dorset-based organisations (Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Dorset Rap Crisis), who specialise in dealing with victims of sexual assault, and police advisors who specialise in investigating crimes of sexual violence, Season 3 promises to look at the emotional cost to all of those involved and the irreparable damage to friendships and relationships.

David Tennant and Olivia Colman will reunite to reprise their roles as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller, with Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan returning to play Beth and Mark Latimer. Arthur Darvill also returns as local Vicar Paul Coates, Carolyn Pickles as newspaper editor Maggie Radcliffe, Charlotte Beaumont as Mark and Beth’s daughter Chloe, and Adam Wilson as Ellie’s son Tom.

Hudd and Henry lead a wave of new faces on the show, including National Television Award winner Julie Hesmondhalgh, BAFTA winner Georgina Campbell, and acclaimed actors Sarah Parish, Charlie Higson and Mark Bazeley, who take “significant roles” in the eight-part season.

Shooting began yesterday and will continue in Dorset and Somerset throughout the summer of 2016 in Bridport, West Bay, Clevedon and Bristol.

“This is the final chapter of Broadchurch,” says Chris Chibnall. “We have one last story to tell, featuring both familiar faces and new characters. I hope it’s a compelling and emotional farewell to a world and show that means so much to me.”

ITV’s former Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea commissioned the new series, which is co-produced for ITV by Kudos, Imaginary Friends and Sister Pictures. Broadchurch Season 3 will be executive produced by Chibnall for Imaginary Friends and Jane Featherstone (River, Humans, Gracepoint) for Sister Pictures. Dan Winch (Indian Summers II, What We did On Our Holiday) will produce the final season.

“Broadchurch is as ever stylishly written, provocative and thought provoking,” says Victoria. “We’re pleased with the direction Chris and Jane have taken this series and the extraordinary cast they’ve assembled.”

“Broadchurch has been an important part of my life and I am so delighted and privileged to be working with Chris and the team again as we embark on the very final series” adds Jane Featherstone. “We will return to the town and characters we know so well as they find themselves caught up in a new and compelling story which will test the strength of the community and the people who live there, and will, I hope, be a fitting end to this trilogy.”

The directing team is just as impressive as the cast, with Paul Andrew Williams (The Eichmann Show, Murdered by My Boyfriend), Daniel Nettheim (Doctor Who, Humans, Line of Duty) and Lewis Arnold (Banana, Prey, Humans) all stepping behind the camera.

Catch up with Broadchurch’s first two seasons with our reviews here.

 

Photo: ITV

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