“Broadchurch” follows a well worn path throughout its eight episodes; by the end of the first episode, all of these plot standard elements are in place:
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A young boy disappears from his home and is found murdered;
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A new policeman from out of town with a mysterious past has just been hired and will be leading the investigation;
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The boy’s best friend obviously knows something, but is not telling anyone;
- It becomes apparent that at least one of the parents is not telling the truth about what they were doing that night;
Andrew Buchan and Jodie Whittaker as parents of the murdered boy
None of these come as a surprise, but you will be eager to keep watching. Though much of episode one focuses on the shock and grief experienced by the victim’s family, there are also a few seeds of suspicion planted. As potential suspects come to light and frustration with the unsolved case grows, neighbors are quick to point fingers and make assumptions. The series continues to intertwine the procedural part of the case with the toll taken on the community.
“Broadchurch” stars David Tennant (from “The Politician’s Husband“) as Detective Inspector Alec Hardy, newly in town and teamed with Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman), who thought she was in line for Hardy’s position. It’s an element of tension compounded by personality differences and local versus outsider status. Miller knows everyone in the community and has a hard time staying emotionally detached; Hardy appears not to care who he offends in the process of investigation.
As the boy’s parents and sister struggle to deal with their loss, secrets begin to emerge about several of the locals. Hardy has his own secrets and the arrival of a big city journalist familiar with his past adds fuel to the fire. The identity of the killer is not revealed until the end.
“Broadchurch” was created and written by Chris Chibnall. The eight episodes of approximately 45 minutes each first aired on ITV in Britain beginning in March, 2013. “Broadchurch” season 2 is set to air on ITV starting in January, 2015. There are rumors it has been renewed for season 3.
