Broadchurch Season One: DVD Review

Broadchurch Season One: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Ent

It's the Whodunnit series that took both England and New Zealand by storm.

Set in a small seaside town in the UK, this superior slice of drama, served up in 8 parts, it focuses on the death of a young boy, Danny Latimer, found dead on a beach.

Called in to investigate is Olivia Colman's DS Ellie Miller, who's been expecting a promotion but lost it to Doctor Who star David Tennant's DI Alec Hardy who's brought in to help her with the case. So, in between that awkwardness of being forced to work together, the duo has to delve into a tight knit community that's full of secrets and where everyone is not to be trusted.

Quiet, unassuming and quite emotionally deadly in parts, Broadchurch is a simply stunning piece of TV - a series that inveigles its way under your skin. Despite the premise that a community is so riddled with secrets , that side of it is not exploited for cheesy gain or cliched moments.

It's character that springs forth in this series and development that feels natural, realistic and works as a dynamic. The interaction between the two leads is great, from moments when Ellie invites Hardy round for a meal and there's awkwardness aplenty to final scenes that ache with pain and heartbreak.

To be devoured in one sitting, Broadchurch makes a great case for binge TV watching - a character piece where every person is vital to the puzzle, no writing feels extraneous or unnecessary and every moment is worth savouring.

Extras: Behind the scenes, photo gallery

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