Written and created by Chris Chibnall (Torchwood, Doctor Who), the eight-part series will explore what happens to a small community when it suddenly becomes the focus of a major event and is subjected to the full glare of the media spotlight.

Tennant will play DI Alec Hardy, an out-of-town, newly promoted police detective, while Arthur Darvill will play the town priest, Paul Coates. The cast also includes Jodie Whittaker, Andrew Buchan and Will Mellor.

Writer Chris Chibnall commented: “Broadchurch focuses on a small British community which finds itself at the eye of a storm. In the wake of one boy’s death, the residents of Broadchurch come under scrutiny and suspicion. It’s a story of scale and intimacy, as the lives of the characters are laid bare.”

Laura Mackie from ITV1’s drama commissioning team added: “It’s not a ‘whodunit’ or a traditional police drama.”

Directed by James Strong (Downton Abbey, Doctor Who), Broadchurch will be filmed on location in Portishead near Bristol and Dorset from mid-August until the end of November.

Do you like the sound of Broadchurch? Let us know below…

> Order Broadchurch on DVD on Amazon.

Watch the trailer for David Tennant’s True Love…