David Tennant and Olivia Colman begin filming on the third and final season of Broadchurch
They were seen in Somerset as it was announced that Sir Lenny Henry is joining the cast
DAVID Tennant and Olivia Colman have begun filming the third and final series of Broadchurch.
The award-winning actors were snapped in the town of Clevedon in Somerset today shooting scenes for the ITV drama.
Both were dressed in suits with Tennant reprising his role as Di Alec Hardy, while Colman returns as DS Ellie Miller.
One of the roads appeared to be closed as they filmed next to a taxi rank and chatted to crew members.
They were joined by cast mate Jonathan Bailey who stars as journalist Olly Stevens who writes for the Broadchurch Echo.
No broadcast date has been confirmed for the third series but producers confirmed this would be the final series.
Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan return to play Beth and Mark Latimer, as well as Arthur Darvill as local vicar Paul Coates, Carolyn Pickles as newspaper editor Maggie Radcliffe and Adam Wilson as Ellie’s son Tom
Today it was announced that Sir Lenny Henry would be joining the cast, but his role is unknown.
He is one of a number of familiar faces who are appearing in season three, including Julie Hesmondhalgh, best known for her role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street.
BAFTA winner Georgina Campbell join the cast along with Sarah Parish, Charlie Higson and Mark Bazeley, who will all take on major roles.
The first series, which aired in March 2013, focused on the death of a local boy and the search for his murder and reached a peak audience of 8.9 million viewers.
It went on to win Bafta and RTS awards and the second series, which aired in January 2015, focused on the trial and the reopening of an old case for Hardy.
A press release from ITV read: “Broadchurch's final chapter looks at the emotional cost to all of those involved and the irreparable damage to friendships and relationships.”
Show writer Chris Chibnall said the new series will see Miller and Hardy reuniting to investigate a serious sexual assault.
He added: “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.”
Chibnall will be moving to replace Steven Moffat as the head writer and executive producer for BBC One's Doctor Who.