Julie Hesmondhalgh joins ITV drama Broadchurch

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Former Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh is joining the cast of ITV drama Broadchurch as several new faces appear in the third and final series.

“This is the final chapter of Broadchurch. 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.” – executive producer Chris Chibnall

Broadchurch resumes filming in Dorset this summer with an impressive ensemble cast confirmed to appear in the third and final series ITV have announced. David Tennant and Olivia Colman reprise their roles as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller with Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan returning to play Beth and Mark Latimer.

They will be joined by National Television Award winner Julie Hesmondhalgh, BAFTA winner Georgina Campbell along with Sarah Parish, Charlie Higson and Mark Bazeley who take significant roles in the eight part series. Arthur Darvill also returns as local Vicar Paul Coates, Carolyn Pickles as newspaper editor Maggie Radcliffe and Adam Wilson as Ellie’s son Tom. The new series will herald a brand new case for Miller and Hardy with the detectives reuniting to investigate a serious sexual assault.

The series explores the consequences of a serious sexual assault as a Dorset community comes under the scrutiny of Hardy and Miller’s investigation. Based on a year of research with Dorset-based organisations who specialise in dealing with victims of sexual assault, and police advisors who specialise in investigating crimes of sexual violence, Broadchurch’s final chapter looks at the emotional cost to all of those involved and the irreparable damage to friendships and relationships.

“Broadchurch is as ever stylishly written, provocative and thought provoking. We’re pleased with the direction Chris and Jane have taken this series and the extraordinary cast they’ve assembled.” – Controller of Drama Victoria Fea

Broadchurch is a co-production with Kudos, an Endemol Shine Group company. Filming will commence this summer in Bridport, West Bay and Clevedon, which have featured as locations in Broadchurch series one and two.