Nellie Andreeva

BBC America has acquired the eight-part ensemble British drama series Broadchurch starring David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Vicky McClure and Arthur Darvill. In the vein of The Killing, Broadchurch explores what happens to a small community when it suddenly becomes the focus of a major murder investigation and is subjected to the full glare of the media spotlight. Broadchurch will premiere as part of BBC America’s drama block, Dramaville, later this year, following the series UK premiere in the spring on ITV.

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From Life On Mars and Law & Order: UK producer Kudos Film and Television, Broadchurch was created by Camelot exec producer Chris Chibnall. “It’s a story of scale and intimacy, as the lives of the characters are laid bare,” he said. The series’ first and last two episodes were directed by James Strong, whose credits include Downton Abbey. Law & Order: UK’s Richard Stokes is producing. The Hour’s Jane Featherstone is exec producing with Chibnall. The acquisition brings former Doctor Who star Tennant back to BBC America where the British sci-fi drama has been among the network’s highest-rated series.

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