Dorset is once again set to have a starring role in the new series of Broadchurch after a busy week of filming.

The stars of the show, including David Tennant and Olivia Colman, were spotted in West Bay throughout the week as filming continues on the third and final series of the hit show.

There was even a spot of overnight filming for the cast in the town.

On Monday, cast and crew were seen filming at the Watch House café on the beach with the likes of David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker and new cast member Coronation Street’s Julie Hesmondhalgh spotted.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, it is believed that filming headed to Washingpool Farm before returning to West Bay on Thursday.

Here, the crew were seen filming at the play area in West Bay in the morning, with onlookers spotting cast members Arthur Darvill, Jodie Whittaker and Charlie Higson.

On Thursday afternoon, filming focused on the “Broadchurch Police Station” with David Tennant the centre of the action.

The work didn’t stop there though with the town bathed in floodlight as filming continued overnight between Thursday and Friday.

Areas including the pier terrace and the Riverside restaurant were lit up as the cast continued to film.

On Friday, the Promenade was the centre of the action for filming.

Filming was believed to have carried on in the town Saturday. 

Scott Kishere, an indie filmmaker from Corfe Mullen, headed to West Bay on Monday to see what a big television production was like, and even got the chance to meet two of the stars.

He said: “They were shooting a scene at the Watch House café between Jodie Whittaker and Julie Hesmondalgh who is new to the cast of Broadchurch.

“I got a real insight in to how labour intensive the filming of a single scene can be. I spent eight hours witnessing what will equate to just two minutes of screen time.

“I also bumped in two familiar face, David Tennant and Olivia Colman.

“I am a big fan of Chris Chibnall’s work (Broadchurch creator) and I hope one day that I get the opportunity to work with a pro like him.”

He added that with Broadchurch filming here and Christopher Nolan’s new film Dunkirk set to film in Swanage and Weymouth, things are looking up for small-time filmmakers in Dorset.

Pictures courtesy of John May at www.westbay.co.uk and Scott Kishere at Kishere Film.