Why David Tennant’s 92% RT Crime Thriller Is Never Coming Back

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Chris Chibnall, who created the popular mystery crime drama Broadchurch starring David Tennant, has revealed why the show won’t be returning. Broadchurch followed Detectives Alec Hardy (Tennant) and Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) as they investigated the death of a young boy. The series received high praise from critics, earning a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The original series concluded after three seasons, airing from 2013 to 2017. Its popularity led to an American remake called Gracepoint in 2014, with ten episodes. David Tennant starred as Detective Emmett Carver, alongside Anna Gunn as Detective Ellie Miller. As of now, the show hasn’t been renewed for a fourth season and appears to be finished.

In an interview with TV Insider, Chris Chibnall, the creator of Broadchurch, explained that a fourth season won’t happen because the main storyline involving David Tennant’s Alec Hardy and Olivia Colman’s Ellie Miller has come to a natural conclusion. While his new book, Death at the White Hart, is set in the same universe, the central Broadchurch story is finished and won’t be continued.

No, I don’t really think so. The story feels very complete, and we’ve explored many ideas already. Living near where Broadchurch was filmed, I sometimes find myself thinking, ‘Maybe we could have gone this way or that way’ while walking along the beach.

Last year, I published a novel called Death at the White Hart. It was a way for me to revisit the world of Broadchurch – it’s set in the same location, but features a completely new story and characters.

Sometimes a show just really clicks, and I think Broadchurch was one of those moments for us. It’s wonderful to see people still finding and enjoying it years later.

Many consider Broadchurch to be one of the greatest British crime dramas ever made. The first season centers around the tragic mystery of a young boy’s death, handled with remarkable sensitivity. Although the following two seasons explore different crimes, the impact of the boy’s death remains a key part of the show throughout the series.

Patrick Redmond / © ITV/BBC America / Courtesy: Everett Collection

Chibnall has hinted at potential future storylines for the crime series, but continuing it would be tricky. Revisiting the story could undo the satisfying conclusion of Broadchurch, which felt very final. Plus, Death at the White Hart provides a new mystery in the same setting, offering fans something similar to enjoy after the series ended.

Both Tennant and Colman have taken on new acting roles recently. Tennant will appear in the final episode of season 3 of the Prime Video series Good Omens, and Colman will play Mrs. Bennet in a new Netflix adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Because of these commitments, a return to their previous show seems unlikely.

Despite this, Broadchurch is still considered a key example of contemporary British crime drama thanks to its captivating plot and how it handles its criminals. While the show could likely find success if it were revived, its creator, Chris Chibnall, believes the story was best left concluded, and that ending it when they did was the right decision.

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2026-01-15 19:28