Broadchurch series two casting announced

After much speculation, ITV, Kudos and Imaginary Friends have confirmed the returning cast members for Broadchurch Series 2.

The series, written by Chris Chibnall, will see David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker, Andrew Buchan and Arthur Darvill reprise their roles as police officers Alec Hardy, Ellie Miller, grieving parents Beth and Mark Latimer and Vicar Paul Coates respectively.

The first series, which aired in March, gripped an audience of more than 9 million viewers as drama unfold as viewers waited to find out Ellie’s husband Joe was the murderer of local schoolboy Danny Latimer.

ITV’s Director of Drama Steve November said:

“We’re delighted Broadchurch is back in production, but we’re remaining tight-lipped about how the story develops. Suffice to say Chris has delivered as always and the scripts are just as exciting as the first series.”

Kudos Producer, Jane Featherstone (Utopia, Spooks) said:

“The reaction to Broadchurch from UK viewers has been incredible, so we’d like viewers to enjoy the new series knowing as little as possible about what’s to come and for the story to unfold in real time.”

The drama will be executive produced by Chris Chibnall (The Great Train Robbery, Torchwood) for Imaginary Friends and Jane Featherstone on behalf of Kudos. The Producer is Richard Stokes (Silk, Law & Order: UK), James Strong will be directing episodes one and two of the new series.

Series one of Broadchurch will be repeated on ITV’s new Sky Channel from 9th June 2014.

Read our interview with Chris Chibnall

Broadchurch Series 2 will begin filming in Dorset shortly.

The first series of Broadchurch will be shown on ITV Encore at launch, stripped across its first week on air.  ITV Encore is ITV’s first new channel in eight years and launches on .  The channel will be dedicated to celebrating the best of contemporary British ITV drama, and will be home to some of ITV’s most successful series of recent years.