Who is Matthew Gravelle? Broadchurch actor who plays Joe Miller and Son of God star – all you need to know

DESPITE being shunned from the town of Broadchurch in series two, Matthew Gravelle's character Joe Miller has returned for the third season.

Matthew played the role of Joe Miller, who featured in series one and two - the alleged killer of Beth and Mark Latimer's son Danny.

Who is Matthew Gravelle?

Matthew Gravelle, 40, is a Welsh TV and film actor - most famous for his role as Joe Miller in Broadchurch.

Matthew was born in Porthcawl and made his first appearance on the small screen in Holby City and BBC Wales' Belonging.

He married wife Mali Harries in 1999, who is a fellow Welsh actress who has appeared in Holdby City, The Bill and Doctors - her most recent TV appearance was in ITV's Lewis, a spin off from Inspector Morse.

In 2009, Matthew was listed as the 24th sexiest man in Wales (he lost out to Rugby player Jamie Roberts, who came out top that year).

What else has Matthew been in?

Matthew is most well known for his role as Joe Miller in Broadchurch.

His first TV appearance was in Holby City in 2003, since then he has feature in Torchwood, High Hopes and The Bible.

After his debut in ITV's Broadchurch, Gravelle was subsequently cast in BBC's much loved Ordinary Lives and New Blood.

Matthew was also cast for his first feature length film in 2014, he played the role of Thomas in Son of God.

Who does Matthew Gravelle play in Broadchurch?

Matthew plays the controversial character of Joe Miller, best friend to the Latimers and murdered of their son Danny.

At the end of series one, Joe confessed to DI Alec Hardy that he murdered Danny, however series two saw Matthew's character found not guilty by a jury.

Very little has been revealed about the plot of series three, even many of the cast members are unaware of the full details.

During the last series, the community of Broadchurch banished Joe Miller from the town, so it is unknown what his role will mean for the third and final series.

Speaking to The Sun, Matthew said he had to have a conversation with his two children to brief them on the plot and explain that he is 'not really bad' in case the word got out at school.

Matthew, who was forced to wear a wig to disguise himself as he travelled to and from Reading jail where he filmed scenes for the last series, also let slip that show bosses had recorded “several endings”, which may be the case for the upcoming series.

What is Broadchurch about?

Broadchurch is the name of the fictional, small coastal town where the series is set.

Series one focused on the death of Mark and Jodie's 11-year-old son Danny, with the search for the murderer being led by DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller.

DI Hardy was new to the area, after leaving his old patch: Sandbrook, after a failed case.

At the end of series one, Joe Miller - the husband of Ellie Miller, was discovered as Danny's killer after he confessed the murder to DI Hardy.

Series two opened with the murder trial of Danny Latimer, Joe Miller was found not guilty by the jury and the members of the Broadchurch community threatened him to leave the area permanently.

The remainder of series two focused on the reopening of the Sandbrook case, which Alec Hardy had worked on before coming to the town of Broadchurch.

The plot of the third series of Broadchurch had been a closely guarded secret, but we now know that the plot focuses around a serious sexual assault.

Writer Chris Chibnall said: "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."

When is Broadchurch on and is there a trailer?

The series returned on Monday February 27 to ITV, and continues every week at 9.00pm.