Broadchurch

Series 3 - Episode 1

Review

by Alison Graham

Detectives Ellie Miller and Alec Hardy are called to the steps of their own police station in the middle of the night where a woman stares blankly into the distance, a single tear coursing down her cheek. She’s been raped and she’s catatonic with shock.

It’s a harrowing start to what looks like a back-on-form Broadchurch (let’s forget about the misfired series two), which might even be better than Chris Chibnall’s first, unforgettable story set in that deceptively calm-looking, sun-blushed Dorset town.

As Miller and Hardy (Olivia Colman and David Tennant, both so good) carefully and kindly take the victim Trish through the difficult processes involved in evidence gathering after a sexual assault, she slowly offers fractured memories of the attack.

Julie Hesmondhalgh is heartbreaking as baffled and traumatised Trish; “Why did he choose me?” while Miller and Hardy fear the worst kind of predator is loose on their patch. It’s quietly brilliant.

Summary

DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller are called in to investigate a serious sexual assault. Chris Chibnall's crime drama set in a Dorset seaside town, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman, with Julie Hesmondhalgh, Charlie Higson, Jodie Whittaker and Lenny Henry.

Cast & Crew

DS Ellie Miller Olivia Colman

DI Alec Hardy David Tennant

Trish Winterman Julie Hesmondhalgh

Ian Winterman Charlie Higson

Beth Latimer Jodie Whittaker

Mark Latimer Andrew Buchan

Cath Atwood Sarah Parish

Jim Atwood Mark Bazeley

Ed Burnett Lenny Henry

Clive Lucas Sebastian Armesto

DC Katie Harford Georgina Campbell

Maggie Radcliffe Carolyn Pickles

Rev Paul Coates Arthur Darvill

Chloe Latimer Charlotte Beaumont

Daisy Hardy Hannah Rae

Tom Miller Adam Wilson

David Barrett Roy Hudd

Sahana Harrison Sunetra Sarker

Anna Palmer Andrea Hall

Uniform Bob Steve Bennett

Soco Brian Peter De Jersey

Mrs Angela Dyer Julie Cox

Linda Jane Whittenshaw

Lizzie Latimer Emily Allison

Executive Producer Jane Featherstone

Executive Producer Chris Chibnall

Producer Richard Stokes

Writer Chris Chibnall

Drama

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Broadchurch

Series 3 - Episode 1

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Fans vote in thousands to name Sherlock Holmes as Britain's favourite detective

The solution to 'running out of TV' in the wake of the pandemic is obvious

Is Broadchurch a repeat on ITV?

Channel 5 and Comedy Central join BritBox line-up

Where to watch and stream Broadchurch – is the ITV drama on Netflix?

Chris Chibnall says Broadchurch is "absolutely" never coming back

All hail David Bradley, the standout star of Les Misérables

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