The first series of Broadchurch was a concise, emotionally-charged thriller that was a huge success both in the United Kingdom and abroad. However, with such a neat ending (the killer caught, Danny’s funeral finally allowed to take place), it was a bit of a headscratcher as to how creator Chris Chibnall would structure series two: would it be with a completely different cast? Would it be yet another murder in the sleepy seaside town?
Chibnall’s idea was better. In season two, there are two major storylines: the first is the trial of Joe Miller (Matthew Gravelle), who confessed to Danny’s murder at the end of season one, but has decided to please ‘not guilty’ to avoid prison time; the second is Alec Hardy’s (David Tennant) previous case, ‘Sandbrook’, which led to his relocating to Broadchurch. Each aspect is given relatively equal screen time, and as a result, both are fully formed, detailed stories.
Joe’s trial involves many of the Broadchurch characters we’ve come to know, and introduces a couple of new ones, including QC Jocelyn Knight (Charlotte Rampling), who is representing the Crown and, therefore, the Latimer family. We see the effect that Joe’s actions, and his arrest, have had on his wife Ellie (Olivia Coleman) and their children, one of which, Tom, refuses to speak to her. Mark (Andrew Buchan) and Beth Latimer (Jodie Whittaker) are preparing for the arrival of their new baby, whilst simultaneously dealing with the effects of the trial. Reverend Coates (Arthur Darvill) struggles to maintain his duties with his morals, and is also seeing local hotel owner Becca (Simone McAullay), who is finding her own choices scrutinised as the trial goes on.
We are also privy to Sandbrook, the case that brought Alec Hardy to his knees, and meet Claire (Eve Myles), the woman who testified against her husband to bring the killer to justice. As Ellie soon finds out, there’s more to Sandbrook than meets the eye, and Broadchurch isn’t the only town full of people with deep, dark secrets.
The formula of the show has definitely been chopped and changed this season – with two focal points instead of one driving force – but those changes were necessary. Chibnall devised a way to keep the focus on the townspeople that we met in season one, but also kept the murder-mystery element alive with a focus on Sandbrook. Coleman and Tennant are fantastic again; the pair have a definite chemistry, but I’m glad that chemistry didn’t turn romantic.
The special features are the usual affair – interviews with the cast and crew, deleted scenes, a ‘Making Of’ featurette – but nevertheless are entertaining insights into Broadchurch and its many inhabitants.
The second series of Broadchurch could have gone so wrong, but with experienced screenwriter Chris Chibnall at the helm and a cast full of incredible actors, the show’s second series proved just as suspenseful and captivating as its first.
Review Score: FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE).
Broadchurch: The Complete Second Season is available on DVD now!
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