Broadchurch's devastated dad Mark Latimer talks to tragic town's vicar at launch of book about his murdered son as filming on third series of huge hit drama gets underway

  • Sir Lenny Henry and Roy Hudd will join the cast for season three
  • Olivia Colman and David Tennant were seen resuming their roles as DS Ellie Miller and DI Alec Hardy on location in Somerset this week
  • In the new eight part series, the duo will take on a brand new case as they investigate a serious sexual assault 

Two series have elapsed since the initial death that opened the acclaimed series and filming is now in full swing in Dorset for the third and final series of Broadchurch. 

Bereaved father Mark Latimer - played by Andrew Buchan - was spotted on set on Tuesday at a signing for his book about murdered son Danny.

He was joined by Arthur Darvill's character, Rev Paul Coates, who at one point was a suspect in Danny's death.

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Sombre: Two series have elapsed since the initial death that opened the acclaimed series and filming is now in full swing in Dorset for the third and final series of Broadchurch

Sombre: Two series have elapsed since the initial death that opened the acclaimed series and filming is now in full swing in Dorset for the third and final series of Broadchurch

The two actors were seen surrounded by crew members and filming equipment as the shoot got underway in the village of Clevedon, Somerset. 

Darvill was dressed in traditional dog collar and smart shirt - but he had clearly changed, as at one point he was snapped dressed down in a pink sweatshirt, jeans and bright red trainers.

An A-board with details about a book entitled 'Danny: A Father's Story' was also seen, hinting at the reopening of old wounds in the upcoming series.  

Olivia Colman and David Tennant were seen resuming their roles as DS Ellie Miller and DI Alec Hardy on location in Dorset and Somerset on Monday.

Tense scenes: Bereaved father Mark Latimer - played by Andrew Buchan - was spotted on set on Tuesday at a signing for his book about murdered son Danny

Tense scenes: Bereaved father Mark Latimer - played by Andrew Buchan - was spotted on set on Tuesday at a signing for his book about murdered son Danny

Relaxed: Buchan's character was dressed in  casual light jeans a turquoise polo shirt
He added a brown trucker jacket on top

Relaxed: Buchan's character was dressed in  casual light jeans a turquoise polo shirt and a brown trucker jacket

Comfort: He was joined by Arthur Darvill's character, Rev Paul Coates, who at one point was a suspect in Danny's death

Comfort: He was joined by Arthur Darvill's character, Rev Paul Coates, who at one point was a suspect in Danny's death

Harrowing tale: An A-board with details about a book entitled 'Danny: A Father's Story' was also seen, hinting at the reopening of old wounds in the upcoming series

Harrowing tale: An A-board with details about a book entitled 'Danny: A Father's Story' was also seen, hinting at the reopening of old wounds in the upcoming series

And ITV has confirmed the already impressive cast will be bolstered by the addition of such well known faces as BAFTA award winner Sir Lenny Henry and Roy Hudd

In the new eight part series, the daring duo will take on a brand new case, as they investigate a serious sexual assault.

Producers have been researching the ins and outs of the plot for a year, and have worked closely with local organisations and police to distill the emotional cost of such a crime to all of those involved and the strain that it puts on friendships and relationships.

Off duty: Rev Paul Coates was dressed somewhat casually in light jeans, a black shirt and a wax jacket

Off duty: Rev Paul Coates was dressed somewhat casually in light jeans, a black shirt and a wax jacket

Focused: Buchan appeared to be in a serious mood as he paced along the village high street alone

Focused: Buchan appeared to be in a serious mood as he paced along the village high street alone

Deep in conversation: The two actors were seen surrounded by crew members and filming equipment as the shoot got underway in the village of Clevedon, Somerset

Deep in conversation: The two actors were seen surrounded by crew members and filming equipment as the shoot got underway in the village of Clevedon, Somerset

Direction: Darvill and Buchan chat to a member of the crew before the start filming scenes

Direction: Darvill and Buchan chat to a member of the crew before the start filming scenes

Contrasting emotions: The actors cut different figures as Darvill appears to laugh as a joke, while Buchan looks on stony-faced

Contrasting emotions: The actors cut different figures as Darvill appears to laugh as a joke, while Buchan looks on stony-faced

Writer, Chris Chinball, said: 'We have one last story to tell, featuring both familiar faces and new characters.

'I hope it's a compelling and emotional farewell to a world and show that means so much to me.'

And producer, Jane Featherstone, added: 'Broadchurch has been an important part of my life and I am so delighted and privileged to be working with Chris and the team again as we embark on the very final series.

'We will return to the town and characters we know so well as they find themselves caught up in a new and compelling story which will test the strength of the community and the people who live there, and will, I hope, be a fitting end to this trilogy.'

Happy: Rev Paul Coates looked to be in high spirits as he paced around the set and waited for directed from the crew
Happy: Rev Paul Coates looked to be in high spirits as he paced around the set and waited for directed from the crew

Happy: Rev Paul Coates looked to be in high spirits as he paced around the set and waited for directed from the crew

Dressed down: Darvill had been dressed in traditional dog collar and smart shirt - but he had clearly changed

Dressed down: Darvill had been dressed in traditional dog collar and smart shirt - but he had clearly changed

Casual: At one point the actor was snapped dressed down in a pink sweatshirt, jeans and bright red trainers

Casual: At one point the actor was snapped dressed down in a pink sweatshirt, jeans and bright red trainers

Also returning to the cast are Carolyn Pickles (Maggie Radcliffe), Charlotte Beaumont (Chloe Latimer) and Adam Wilson (Tom Miller).

While the first series had much of the nation gripped, eager to discover who had killed Danny Latimer, many fans were not as taken with the show's second outing.

Throughout Series 2, viewers had complained that the court scenes were inaccurate, with some on Twitter even labelling the series 'Boredchurch'.

Pensive: The show's writer and creator Chris Chibnall look deep in thought on the set

Pensive: The show's writer and creator Chris Chibnall look deep in thought on the set

One last time: The Broadchurch cast were back to business as they began filming for the show's third and final series on Monday

One last time: The Broadchurch cast were back to business as they began filming for the show's third and final series on Monday

Familiar faces: ITV confirmed that BAFTA award winner Sir Lenny Henry and Roy Hudd would be joining the already impressive ensemble

Familiar faces: ITV confirmed that BAFTA award winner Sir Lenny Henry and Roy Hudd would be joining the already impressive ensemble

Dream team: Olivia Colman and David tenant were seen resuming their roles as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller, while on set in Dorset and Somerset

Dream team: Olivia Colman and David tenant were seen resuming their roles as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller, while on set in Dorset and Somerset

Drama: In the new eight part series, the daring duo will take on a brand new case, as they investigate a serious sexual assault

Drama: In the new eight part series, the daring duo will take on a brand new case, as they investigate a serious sexual assault

Accurate: Producers have been researching the ins and outs of the plot for a year, and have worked closely with local organisations and police to distill the emotional cost of such a crime

Accurate: Producers have been researching the ins and outs of the plot for a year, and have worked closely with local organisations and police to distill the emotional cost of such a crime

Widespread: The dramatic new season will be filmed across Bridport, West Bay, Clevedon and Bristol

Widespread: The dramatic new season will be filmed across Bridport, West Bay, Clevedon and Bristol

Final attempt: Producers hope the show will leave the air on a high thanks to the new episodes

Final attempt: Producers hope the show will leave the air on a high thanks to the new episodes

Emotional farewell: Crew members say the story will test the strength of the community and the people who live there

Emotional farewell: Crew members say the story will test the strength of the community and the people who live there

Toning it down? Viewers struggled to understand David Tenant in the show's last series as they claimed his accent had gotten stronger

Toning it down? Viewers struggled to understand David Tenant in the show's last series as they claimed his accent had gotten stronger

Crowd pleaser: The murder mystery attracted an average audience of more than nine million viewers across the two series

Crowd pleaser: The murder mystery attracted an average audience of more than nine million viewers across the two series

Fans had also expressed their disbelief at some scenes, including a kiss between two middle-aged women many had mistaken for sisters, and characters getting table service at chicken restaurant chain Nando's.

Viewers were shocked to see a 'Fifty Shades of Grey' scene in which Lee Ashworth is seen 'strangling' his wife Claire as the pair engaged in a sexual encounter in the ruins of a clifftop barn.

Nevertheless, the murder mystery attracted an average audience of more than 9 million viewers across the two series, including those who watched via catch-up services. 

Up your game: While the first series had much of the nation gripped, eager to discover who had killed Danny Latimer, many fans were not as taken with the show's second outing

Up your game: While the first series had much of the nation gripped, eager to discover who had killed Danny Latimer, many fans were not as taken with the show's second outing

Making up for it: Throughout Series 2, viewers complained that the court scenes were inaccurate, with some on Twitter even labelling the series 'Boredchurch'

Making up for it: Throughout Series 2, viewers complained that the court scenes were inaccurate, with some on Twitter even labelling the series 'Boredchurch'

Acting confused: During Monday's filming David's character frequently looked confused and distraught

Acting confused: During Monday's filming David's character frequently looked confused and distraught

Having a laugh: David and Olivia seemed perfectly at ease in each other's company

Having a laugh: David and Olivia seemed perfectly at ease in each other's company

Back in character: The laughs stopped as soon as filming resumed

Back in character: The laughs stopped as soon as filming resumed

Where is it? David could be seen searching for something in his pockets between takes

Where is it? David could be seen searching for something in his pockets between takes

Hand it over: Eventually he retrieved his mobile phone and handed it to the crew

Hand it over: Eventually he retrieved his mobile phone and handed it to the crew

Matching: Olivia and David wore matching navy blue outfits on set

Matching: Olivia and David wore matching navy blue outfits on set

Sharp: David cut a lean figure in a finely tailored suit, while Olivia elongated her legs in short heels

Sharp: David cut a lean figure in a finely tailored suit, while Olivia elongated her legs in short heels

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