PUT the kettle on and take your seats for a television drama with a very familiar backdrop.

Next Monday, March 4, the long-awaited first episode of Broadchurch bursts on to our television screens.

Locals can't wait to see the eight-part ITV series that shines the spotlight on West Bay and the Jurassic Coast.

Broadchurch is about the effects on a small Dorset seaside town when a young boy is found dead on the beach in mysterious circumstances.

Trailer for Broadchurch

Writer, executive producer and Bridport resident Chris Chibnall, who has written Doctor Who and Torchwood, said Broadchurch is a 'love letter' to the landscape of West Dorset.

Even the cast and crew were kept in the dark about the outcome of the drama until the final scenes were shot.

The first episode was also shown to an audience at Bafta and London last week when Mr Chibnall joined Broadchurch star David Tennant and the cast and production team in a question and answer session.
“Big thanks to everyone at the preview screenings at Bafta and Bridport Arts Centre,” he tweeted. Two very special nights.

The cast includes Olivia Colman, Pauline Quirke, Arthur Darvill, Andrew Buchan and Will Mellor. The first episode will air at 9pm.

Tell us what you think

Tell us what you think about the first episode of Broadchurch? Email us your comments at news@bridportnews.co.uk or leave comments below