BROADCHURCH IS BACK: The inside line from one of the stars and a producer on the final series

In the summer, the Echo was invited on to the set whilst filming was taking place in West Bay and met one of the new cast members, Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh, who plays the victim of the serious sexual assault being investigated in the series, and producer Dan Winch.

They both spoke about their experience of Dorset, what the final series will offer and the serious issues that the final series will explore.

David Tennant and Olivia Colman will return as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller to crack a new case.

Speaking about where the characters are since we last left them, Mr Winch said: “The key story headline is that there’s a new case for Ellie and Hardy, the other key headline is that it is three years later, three years since we left them.

“We revisit all the characters and their lives and where we left them previously, and their relationships with each other, particularly Ellie and Hardy, the Latimers, what’s happened to the Millers, Hardy and his family.

“We visit all the family groups that we’ve come to know and love.”

As well as the return of the cast members we know so well, plenty of new characters, who bring new relationships, will be introduced with Hesmondhalgh joined by the likes of Charlie Higson and Lenny Henry in the new series.

Mr Winch said: “I think it’s fair to say that, as with the previous series, all of the characters have relations, they’re all linked by the community.

“It again gives a brilliant insight in to the sense of a small town community and that everybody has gone an awareness of everyone.

“Nobody really stands alone and that’s what makes it quite special and quite mysterious, and hopefully gripping.”

But what was it like joining one of the most successful TV dramas of recent years?

Hesmondhalgh joins the cast as Trish Winterman, who is married to the character played by Charlie Higson.

She said: “It was a real honour to be asked to be in Broadchurch, and obviously it’s something that interests me, doing stuff that has something to say about the world and that’s a part of who I am and so I think that’s probably why I attract parts like this this and it gives it an extra something for me to feel that hopefully it’s making some kind of difference.”

(Julie Hesmondhalgh)

With the community returning once again though, will we get a final conclusion or will we be left with questions?

Mr Winch said: “There is certainly an ending. Chris (creator Chibnall) always gives us the structure of where we’re heading and I think everyone will be on the edge of their seats throughout, trying to work out with Ellie and Hardy what the pieces of the puzzle are. I think if anyone missed an episode they would be gutted. We had a conversation last week about is the set going to be stored. No, the set is going to be taken down so it is the definite finale.”

For more on Broadchurch check out The Guide in this Friday’s Dorset Echo.

A HOST of big names will be joining the cast but who will the new characters be playing?

Julie Hesmondhalgh plays Trish Winterman who she described as a “very ordinary woman” and who is married to the character played by Charlie Higson.

(Charlie Higson)

She works in a farm shop and “is actually just beginning to really enjoy life again” when the sexual assault takes place. 

Ian Winterman, is played by actor, comedian and author Charlie Higson, he left Trish six months ago for another woman. Together they have a daughter Leah, who lives with Trish. 

Running the shop where Trish works, is Ed Burnett who will be played by Sir Lenny Henry. He is described as a quiet solitary man, who has been in Broadchurch for 12 years since the death of his wife. 

(Sir Lenny Henry and Sarah Parish)

Also new to the series are Jim and Cath Atwood (played by Mark Bazeley and Sarah Parish respectively) who have been married for 30 years. Jim runs the local garage and Cath is Trish’s best friend. 

Georgina Campbell will play DC Katie Harford, a young ambitious Detective Constable in Broadchurch CID, she is described as opinionated and over-confident in a way that only a young officer can be and clashes with Ellie and Hardy as they investigate a case that needs a sensitive approach.

With new and old faces coming to the screen for the final series, there is one pair that fans will be most interested to find out about - Hardy and Miller. 

Dan feels that fans will get the most out of their relationship and praised the performances of Tennant and Colman.

He said: “I hope everyone will feel it’s going to be quite a fitting re-visit to the characters we’ve loved, especially the relationship between Ellie and Hardy, them as individuals and their relationships to their families. 

“They’re just magic on screen together. There’s some brilliant stuff coming.”