‘Broadchurch’ is Still Riveting
Arthur Darvill, Olivia Colman, and David Tennant in Broadchurch | Credit: ITV
When a tragic murder takes place, a small seaside town is rocked. As the police investigate, secrets come to light that irreparably damage this tight-knit community.
I remember first watching this show in 2016 or 2017. And I was hooked immediately. I binged the first two seasons because I just couldn’t get enough of these characters and this mystery. Recently, when I was looking for a British murder mystery (one of my favorite TV genres) I decided a rewatch was in order.
And Broadchurch still rocks!
Even though I remembered who ultimately committed the crime, I had forgotten a lot of other details about the show and what happened in each episode. There are so many different storylines and interconnected characters that there’s a fascinating new development in each and every episode. And this is what helps make this show so rewatchable. There’s always a new dimension to uncover or a new facet to pay attention to.
Broadchurch really effectively does what great murder mysteries do — they uncover secrets about everyone. Basically everyone is a suspect in this murder case. Anyone could’ve done it. It truly is a mystery. The show really clearly lays out the means, motive, and opportunity for multiple characters until the killer is finally revealed.
Solving the murder was not easy for the protagonists. And it is quite a blow to the community as a whole. While the murder is solved, everything isn’t tied up in a neat little bow. Things are messy, people are hurt, and a great deal of work is required for this community to begin to heal.
When the culprit is finally caught, they display a sense of relief. The moment when they surrender themselves is so jarring to watch because they are so willing to go with the detectives and receive their punishment. It’s in such a stark contrast to so many other detective shows out there today. The detectives don’t have to outsmart the murderer to get a confession; this person willingly explains what they did and why.
Matthew Gravelle, Olivia Colman, and David Tennant in Broadchurch | Credit: ITV
Throughout the first season, you see everyone in the town starting to mistrust one another. Everyone is now suspicious of their neighbors. People are looking for clues and uncovering dirt about people they have spent decades living alongside. What used to be a tight-knit community has now been gripped by fear. Who can they trust?
Along the way, it’s uncovered that a resident of Broadchurch has a criminal record. Once the town hears of that, fear takes over. It’s such an effective and horrifying example of mob mentality displayed in this show.
A group of people with very few facts decide that he is guilty of this crime. Then, they do all they can to gather facts that support their thesis instead of taking time to consider any other possible explanations. There are moments when residents get so worked up that they threaten physical violence and have to be turned away.
This person’s life is turned completely inside out without any chance to set the record straight. Even their attempts at explaining the charges often aren’t as effective as you might hope. In this town, rumor and misinformation travel much further and faster than the truth.
In our world today, where we are so interconnected and have access to information at our fingertips, this theme couldn’t be more relevant. And here in the U.S., we’re on the eve of an election where misinformation and disinformation have run rampant.
I appreciate that Broadchurch takes the time to highlight this theme so clearly and illustrate the real cost of these actions. This lesson continues to get more and more relevant by the day.
Joe Sims, Andrew Buchan, and Jodie Whittaker in Broadchurch | Credit: ITV
Broadchurch is so well written that I could talk about it all day, but I must start to bring this article to a close. But I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible cast. Seriously, it’s absolutely stacked and everyone gives a fantastic performance.
David Tennant stars as DI Alec Hardy, a hardened detective who was just posted to Broadchurch. He is a gifted investigator but has had some professional problems in the past. He also has quite a secret that is uncovered throughout the season.
Hardy is partnered with D.S. Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman), a native of Broadchurch who has been shaken up by this murder. Still, she is willing to give her all to this investigation. And Colman gives a fantastic performance (as always), bringing all of the emotional range that you would expect for this type of role.
Tennant and Colman are a great pairing, fully embodying their respective characters. Honestly, I could watch these two just all day long — they’re so engaging. And what makes Broadchurch extra special is that the rest of the cast is just as talented and some of them are just as renowned.
Broadchurch seems to be one of those shows where all of the stars aligned to create something truly special.
Now that I have finished season one, I suppose it’s time to rewatch season two!