Everything We Know About Broadchurch Season 3

by Daniel Falconer | 17 January 2017

The third season of Broadchurch is right around the corner, but whilst there are just a few weeks to go until we find out what happens to the characters we’ve all fallen in love with in the past few years, not much has been revealed about what to expect. Here’s everything we know in one handy guide about the third and final season of Broadchurch...

Credit: ITV

Who’s Returning To The Show?

Olivia Colman and David Tennant will of course be returning for Broadchurch’s final outing, reprising their roles for one last time as Ellie Miller and Alec Hardy. Joining them are Adam Wilson as Ellie’s son Tom, Arthur Darvill following his time on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, as Paul Coates, Carolyn Pickes as Maggie Radcliffe and husband and wife duo Beth and Mark Latimer, played by Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan. Charlotte Beaumont also returns as Mark and Beth’s daughter Chloe.

What may come as a surprise to viewers is the return of actor Matthew Gravelle (according to Digital Spy), who’s bringing Joe Miller to the small screen once more despite being banished from Broadchurch by those who reside there. Whilst he escaped a guilty verdict in court during the show’s second season, there’s no telling what will happen to him if he really does brave a return to the town.

Creator Chris Chibnall is also making a return to the series, bringing his story to an end after writing the final batch of episodes for the tremendous trilogy. Following his work here, he’ll move over to Doctor Who to take over on series 11 and beyond, after Steven Moffat passes over the reins.

What About New Faces?

This year, viewers will see National Television Award winner Julie Hesmondhalgh and Sir Lenny Henry join the cast of the show, alongside BAFTA winner Georgina Campbell, Sarah Parish, Mark Bazeley and Charlie Higson, who are all described as taking “significant roles” in the eight-part third season. Roy Hudd and Sunetra Sarker will also star.

Anything On The Storyline?

Chris Chibnall has been coy when it comes to talking about the new episodes, but did reveal: “This is the final chapter of Broadchurch. 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 Controller of Drama Victoria Fea is similarly secretive, only saying: “Broadchurch is as ever stylishly written, provocative and thought provoking. We’re pleased with the direction Chris and Jane have taken this series and the extraordinary cast they’ve assembled.”

TV producer Jane Featherstone concluded: “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.

“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.”

Despite that, it has been revealed that a year of research has taken place in order to present the most realistic storyline possible. Dorset-based organisations who specialise in dealing with victims of sexual assault were a part of that research, with police advisors who have specialised in investigating crimes of sexual violence were also involved.

Actor Arthur Darvill had previously teased to Digital Spy: “This series, I think, is just going to be brilliant. I can’t tell you too much about it, but the subject matter of it is really heavy.

“I loved the second series of Broadchurch – I think it was really necessary to tell that part of the story – but I think this series has more of the feel of the first series.”

When Does It Start?

There is no official return date for the third and final season of Broadchurch just yet, but the series is confirmed to make it to the small screen at some point in February.