Broadchurch: Who Killed Danny Lattimer?

Earlier this year, the UK was treated to Broadchurch, an ITV drama that immediately garnered critical acclaim and generated buzz across the nation. Starting August 7, US viewers will be treated to the show on BBC America. I suggest you set your DVRs right away.

The show is a classic whodunnit mystery set in the fictional seaside town of Broadhchurch. Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant) has recently arrived in town after some sort of scandal over a major murder investigation elsewhere. After an 11-year old boy named Danny Lattimer is found murdered on the beach, Hardy is put in charge of the investigation. This rankles with Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman), who was passed over for promotion and doesn't trust Hardy. Miller is best friends with Danny's mother and is personally invested in finding the killer. This is her very first murder investigation - things like this just don't happen in Broadchurch - so Hardy has to school her in how things are done. At the same time, she has to teach him about this community and its various denizens, all of whom have something to hide.

Danny's parents, Mark and Beth (Andrew Buchan and Jodie Whittaker), appear to be devastated by their son's death, but it quickly becomes clear that Mark's alibi doesn't hold water. Their daughter, Chloe (Charlotte Beaumont), is also hiding something that turns up when her room is searched, which leads to further secrets and betrayals. At the same time, DS Miller's own son, who was Danny's best friend, is behaving very suspiciously and no one seems to notice. The press are also causing a stir, as is their wont, and by sleuthing around on their own they start to expose both relevant and irrelevant details. Everyone is a suspect, and as Hardy and Miller investigate the town, they turn up a series of secrets that could either be legitimate leads or red herrings.

Written by Chris Chibnall, Broadchurch is a brilliantly scripted series that keeps you on the edge of your seat and will leave you guessing until the very end. Olivia Colman and David Tennant make a fantastic team and their banter often lightens up the admittedly dark proceedings. Andrew Buchan and Jodi Whittaker  deliver dramatic performances that pack a wallop, along with every other actor in this series, all of whom are giving a hundred percent. The cinematography by Matt Gray also deserves special mention - this is a beautifully shot show and every episode looks and feels cinematic.

Broadchurch is the latest British import that is sure to have Americans talking. Thankfully a second series has already been commissioned for next year. But for now, you can look forward to eight episodes of masterful television that feature powerhouse performances and simply riveting storytelling.