ITV has confirmed the first cast members for the second series of Broadchurch, with David Tennant and Olivia Colman set to reprise their roles as detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller. The mystery drama, which captivated the nation last year with the story of schoolboy Danny Latimer's murder, will see the pair return after Hardy's heart attack and Miller's discovery that her husband was the killer.
Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan, who played Danny's parents, will also return, alongside Arthur Darvil as vicar Paul Coates. The fate of other cast members, including Pauline Quirke, Will Mellor, and Jonathan Bailey, remains unconfirmed as filming prepares to begin in Dorset.
The first series, which debuted with 9.1 million viewers and became ITV's most-watched weekday drama since 2002, is nominated for four TV BAFTAs, including Best Drama and Best Actress for Colman. ITV's director of drama Steve November said, 'We’re delighted Broadchurch is back in production, but we’re remaining tight-lipped about how the story develops.'
Executive producer Jane Featherstone added, 'The reaction to Broadchurch from UK viewers has been incredible. So we’d like viewers to enjoy the new series knowing as little as possible about what’s to come.' Creator Chris Chibnall returns for the second series, while director James Strong will helm the first two episodes.
