This award-winning crime show is one of the best British dramas ever made — and it’s now on Netflix.
Despite the show being over a decade old, it remains as captivating as when I first viewed it(Image: ITV)
One of Britain’s most beloved drama series has just landed on Netflix. This award-winning crime show secured three BAFTAs and has been celebrated as one of the finest programmes ever broadcast.
The 2013 series Broadchurch is now finally available on the streaming platform. The police drama opens with the murder of 11-year-old Danny Latimer, whose body is discovered at the foot of coastal cliffs.
The tragedy tears through the tight-knit Dorset community, forcing DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) to partner with outsider Alec Hardy (David Tennant) — despite him having been given the DI role she’d been promised — as they attempt to crack the heartbreaking case.
What emerges is a complex web of deceit, mistrust and the dark secrets lurking beneath a seemingly peaceful town. Unlike conventional police procedurals, this programme eschews high-speed pursuits and gun-wielding raids through tower blocks.
This is one of the best dramas ever made(Image: IMDB)
Rather, it explores the profound imperfections we all harbour, the silent anguish accompanying devastating loss and the perils of trial by public opinion.
It features one of the most stunning twists I’ve witnessed — and I consume considerable amounts of television. The series delivers a genuinely memorable experience, with outstanding performances throughout.
The ensemble cast is flawless, and despite being over a decade old, it remains as captivating as when I first viewed it.
I’m far from alone in my admiration. Broadchurch boasts a 94% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating alongside an 8.3 score on IMDB.
Olivia Colman and David Tennant star in this gripping drama(Image: IMDB)
One IMDB reviewer enthused: “This is ‘Shakespeare writes a detective story’. It was beautifully done. In no way has he [writer Chris Chibnall] broken the cardinal rule of show, don’t tell.
“Nor has he made the horrible mistake of creating any perfect character. All of them, from youngest to oldest, are wonderfully imperfect human beings.”
Another praised: “The locations are gorgeous and so atmospheric, and the series is beautifully photographed, fluid and brooding. The music is both haunting and tragic.”
They added: “Standing out also is the writing. It’s rare to find on television recently to have a series so intelligently written and be so layered and meaty. While the pacing is deliberate in places, a lot happens to keep one gripped and ensure that the tension and mystery never slips.”