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Former Timelord David Tennant is to star in new ITV drama Broadchurch alongside Doctor Who sidekick Arthur Darvill.

The pair are part of a new eight-part series penned by Doctor Who and Torchwood writer Chris Chibnall.

Made by Kudos, the production company behind Spooks and Life on Mars, Broadchurch 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, a newly promoted police detective who arrives in the town following the death of a young boy.

However, local resident DS Ellie Miller (Rev star Olivia Colman) believes the case should have been hers and struggled to negotiate a professional relationship with the tough and unyielding Hardy.

Vicky McClure, who recently starred with Tenannt in BBC1 drama True Love, will also feature, alongside Jodie Whittaker, Andrew Buchan, Will Mellor and departing Doctor Who actor Darvill , who will play town priest Paul Coates.

Chris said: “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,”

The drama will be made on location in Portishead near Bristol and Dorset, with filming beginning from mid August and continuing through until the end of November.

It will air on screen next year.