BROADCHURCH stars have told how much they loved filming the second series of the smash hit ITV drama in Dorset.

With the show gearing up for its return on Monday, January 5, its stars David Tennant and Olivia Colman have told of the welcoming reception they received from Dorset residents whilst filming in West Bay.

Plot details of series two have been kept tightly under wraps, but it is set to attract as much interest as the first series.

West Bay experienced a tourist boom known as ‘the Broadchurch effect’ after scenes of the resort were aired to an audience of more than 10 million at its peak.

Dr Who star David Tennant, resuming his role as DI Alec Hardy, said he ‘loved’ being back in West Bay.

He said: “A lot of people assume we filmed the whole thing in Dorset but of course we didn’t.

“We film the beach scenes, anything to do with water down there, everything else was in London for interiors and we use locations around Bristol, but West Bay is the location that everyone recognises. The Jurassic cliffs still feature prominently in season two. We’ll see the police station again and other locations audiences have seen before. We always enjoy coming back here.”

Series creator and writer Chris Chibnall, who lives in Bridport, said the stand-out success of Broadchurch’s first series, ITV’s highest rated drama of 2013, was ‘a whirlwind’.

Olivia Colman won a BAFTA for her role as DS Ellie Miller. She said going back to West Bay to film was like ‘going back to a childhood holiday’.

“The people are incredibly nice considering we must turn it upside down for them, but they welcomed us back,” she said.

This series sees legendary actress Charlotte Rampling and Oscar-nominated Marianne Jean-Baptiste join the cast.

Hollywood actress Rampling said she was ‘inspired’ by West Bay.

“It was a really great experience to film there. I find it an extraordinary coastline, very inspiring and a beautiful part of England.”

Secrets & Lies star Jean-Baptiste, who flew over from LA to film Broadchurch, praised Dorset’s natural beauty.

She said: “I did some drawing in West Bay, even brought my watercolours, which is harder, but the light is so gorgeous.”

Another new cast member, Torchwood star Eve Myles, said she had never been to West Bay before and now plans to visit again.

She said: “It’s beautiful and the people were wonderful, so accommodating and so excited.”

Trailers teasing the second series have become a regular fixture on ITV but viewers will have to wait until 9pm on January 5 when the first episode airs.