‘Broadchurch 3’ begins filming with Sir Lenny Henry joining in on the fun

On: May 24, 2016,  By: Bill Young

At long last, principle filming has begun in Dorset on the third and final series of Broadchurch. David Tennant and Olivia Colman return as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller only to find themselves in the middle of a serious sexual assault case. They soon find out that the case has its consequences as the drama’s Dorset community comes under scrutiny. Also returning will be Andrew Buchan and Jodie Whittaker, who will reprise their roles as Mark and Beth Latimer.

FILMING BEGINS ON THE THIRD AND FINAL SERIES OF BROADCHURCH David Tennant and Olivia Colman pictured on their first day on set of the third series of Broadchurch (above) FILMING BEGINS ON THE THIRD AND FINAL SERIES OF BROADCHURCH SIR LENNY HENRY AND ROY HUDD JOIN THE CAST 23rd May 2016 Ð Filming commenced today on the award winning drama Broadchurch. The third and final series will continue shooting in Dorset and Somerset throughout the summer of 2016. David Tennant and Olivia Colman (photographed on their first day on set of the third series) reprise their roles as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller, with Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan returning to play Beth and Mark Latimer. To coincide with the commencement of filming, ITV confirmed that BAFTA winner Sir Lenny Henry and Roy Hudd will join the impressive ensemble cast alongside National Television Award winner Julie Hesmondhalgh, BAFTA winner Georgina Campbell, and acclaimed actors Sarah Parish, Charlie Higson and Mark Bazeley who take significant roles in the eight part series to be co-produced for ITV by Kudos, Imaginary Friends and Sister Pictures. Arthur Darvill also returns as local Vicar Paul Coates, Carolyn Pickles as newspaper editor Maggie Radcliffe, Charlotte Beaumont as Mark and BethÕs daughter Chloe, and Adam Wilson as EllieÕs son Tom. The new series will herald a brand new case for Miller and Hardy, with the detectives reuniting to investigate a serious sexual assault. ÒThis is the final chapter of Broadchurch,Ó said Chris Chibnall. ÒWe have one last story to tell, featuring both familiar faces and new characters. I hope itÕs a compelling and emotional farewell to a world and show that means so much to me.Ó The series explores the consequences of a serious sexual assault as a Dorset community comes under the scrutiny of Hardy and MillerÕs 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, BroadchurchÕs final chapter looks at the emotional cost to all of those involved and the irreparable damage to friendships and relationships. ITVÕs former Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea have commissioned the new series. ÒBroadchurch is as ever stylishly written, provocative and thought provoking,Ó said Victoria. ÒWeÕre pleased with the direction Chris and Jane have taken this series and the extraordinary cast theyÕve assembled.Ó Broadchurch will be executive produced by Chris Chibnall (Malaterra, The Great Train Robbery, Torchwood) for Imaginary Friends and Jane Featherstone (River, Humans, Gracepoint) for Sister Pictures. Dan Winch (Indian Summers II, What We did On Our Holiday) will produce the final series. Broadchurch is a co-production with Kudos, an Endemol Shine Group company. ÒBroadchurch 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,Ó said Jane Featherstone. ÒWe 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.Ó On behalf of co-producers Kudos Chief Executive Officer Diederick Santer said: ÒKudos are delighted to be working in partnership with Chris and Jane once again, on what promises to be the thrilling final chapter of Broadchurch.Ó The series will be directed by Paul Andrew Williams (The Eichmann Show, Murdered by My Boyfriend), Daniel Nettheim (Doctor Who, Humans, Line of Duty) and Lewis Arnold (Banana, Prey, Humans). Filming commences this summer in Bridport, West Bay, Clevedon and Bristol. Note to Editors: The Shores (DorsetÕs Sexual Assault Referral Centre) and Dorset Rape Crisis have supported and advised Chris Chibnall throughout writing the scripts for this series of Broadchurch. Press contacts: Janice Troup Tel: 0161 952 6220 Janice.Troup@itv.com Sarah Woonton Tel: 0207 157 3066 Sarah.Woonton@itv.com Lisa Vanoli Tel: 07899 060230 lisavanolipublicity@googlemail.com Picture Publicity contact: Patrick Smith Tel: 0207 157 3044 Patrick.Smith@itv.com

David Tennant and Olivia Colman pictured on their first day on set of the third series of Broadchurch. Photo: ITV/Kudos

While Arthur Darvill will be returning as local Vicar Paul Coates, as will Carolyn Pickles as newspaper editor Maggie Radcliffe and Adam Wilson as Ellie’s son Tom, there will be a number of new faces signing on for the final chapter. Sir Lenny Henry and Coronation Street star, Roy Hudd, will join the previously announced Julie Hesmondhalgh, Georgina Campbell, Sarah Parish, Charlie Higson and Mark Bazeley with all set to play significant roles in the forthcoming eight-part series.

Sir Lenny Henry joins the cast of Broadchurch for final series

©ITV/Kudos

“This is the final chapter of Broadchurch,” said writer Chris Chibnall, who will take over as Doctor Who showrunner from Steven Moffat in 2017. “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.”

In: Drama