New cast members have been announced for the third and final season of Broadchurch.
David Tennant and Olivia Colman 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 and Adam Wilson as Ellie’s son Tom.
They will be joined by Julie Hesmondhalgh, Georgina Campbell, Sarah Parish, Charlie Higson and Mark Bazeley.
The eight part series by Kudos, Imaginary Friends and Sister Pictures. features a brand new case for Miller and Hardy with the detectives reuniting to investigate a serious sexual assault.
“This is the final chapter of Broadchurch,” said creator 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.”
The series explores the consequences of a serious sexual assault as a Dorset community comes under the scrutiny of Hardy and Miller’s investigation. Based on a year of research with Dorset-based organisations who specialise in dealing with victims of sexual assault, and police advisors who specialise in investigating crimes of sexual violence, Broadchurch’s final chapter looks at the emotional cost to all of those involved and the irreparable damage to friendships and relationships.
The series will be directed by Paul Andrew Williams, Lewis Arnold and Aussie Daniel Nettheim.
Filming will commence in coming months in Bridport, West Bay and Clevedon, which have featured as locations in Broadchurch series one and two.
It is due to air on ABC later this year.