Broadchurch has returned for its third and final series, earning praise from TV critics. The drama, set in the fictional Dorset town, sees Olivia Colman and David Tennant reprise their roles as DS Ellie Miller and DI Alec Hardy, this time investigating the rape of a woman played by former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh.
The first episode, aired on Monday night, attracted 7.5 million viewers. This figure is slightly lower than the 7.6 million who watched the series two premiere in 2015, but higher than the 6.8 million who tuned in for the first episode of the original series in 2013.
Returning cast members include Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan as Beth and Mark Latimer, and Arthur Darvill as local vicar Paul Coates. New additions to the cast include Lenny Henry, Georgina Campbell, Sarah Parish, Charlie Higson, and Mark Bazeley.
Critics have responded positively to the new series, with reviews from the Daily Mail, The Independent, the Daily Express, the Telegraph, The Times, and the Radio Times all offering favourable assessments of the opening episode.
