Broadchurch Season 3: cast, locations, plot and four other things to know as the final series hits ITV

It’s two years since Broadchurch was last on our screens – but the wait is finally over for the new series.

There’s a whole new case for DI Hardy and DS Miller to investigate, but prepare yourselves – this is their last one, as Series 3 is confirmed to be the final run of the ITV drama.

Here are seven things you need to know.

1) It’s set three years later

It’s been a while since we’ve had Broadchurch on our screens, and time has moved on in the show too. Five years have passed since Danny Latimer’s body was found on the beach, and three years have elapsed since the end of Series 2.

“There is a bold new crime story which forces us to ask whether the town has a crack running through it caused by Danny Latimer’s death,” says executive producer Jane Featherstone. “Is this new crime somehow the long-term legacy of that dark moment?”

2) The plot involves a sexual assault case

Details around the storyline for the new series are tightly under wraps, but we do know one thing. The main plot this time around hinges on a sexual assault case, as Hardy and Miller attempt to pin down a culprit from a huge range of suspects.

“I wanted to tell this story because these crimes are increasing,” explains show creator and writer Chris Chibnall.

“Recorded sexual offences have been increasing year on year for the past decade: the most recent annual statistics showed an increase of 41% in reported rapes, compared to the previous year

“It's an issue for couples, for parents and families, for individuals and for communities.”

3) The rape plot was heavily researched

Any TV plot involving rape or sexual assault is sure to come under controvery and intense scrutiny – and Chibnall and co made sure they did plenty of preparation for the new storyline.

“Myself and Script Executive Samantha Hoyle have worked closely with support organisations in the Dorset area who work with victims of sexual assault,” Chibnall says.

“We've spent time with the amazing support workers who run referral centres. We've developed relationships with and talked in depth with Independent Sexual Violence Advisors, as well as police who investigate these crimes, and survivors of these crimes.

“These extraordinary people have advised us every step of the way: from storylining, to scripts, on set during production (some of our advisors even appear in one sequence later on in the series) and through the post production process.”

4) There are familiar faces returning…

Of course it wouldn’t be Broadchurch without David Tennant and Olivia Colman as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller, but they’re not the only ones coming back.

Jodie Whitaker and Andrew Buchan are back as Beth and Mark Latimer, while Arthur Darvill returns as Revered Paul Coates.

5) …as well as a load of new cast members

There’s also a bunch of new characters this time around.

Julie Hesmondhalgh, best known for her long term role as Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, plays sexual assault victim Trish, while Lenny Henry takes on a dramatic role as farm shop manager Ed. Sarah Parish plays Trish’s friend Cath, who also works at the farm shop.

There’s also a new police officer on the force, working with Hardy and Miller – DC Katie Harford, played by Georgina Campbell.

6) All the usual locations are back

Broadchurch wouldn’t be the same without those staggering coastal shots – and the show was once again filmed on the Jurassic Coast for Series 3.

The beach scenes were shot at West Bay in Dorset, while the town locations are filmed in Clevedon, Somerset.

7) The ending is going to be ‘satisfying’

This is the final series of Broadchurch – so there’s a lot of pressure for the ending to be good. David Tennant reckons fans don’t need to be worried.

Speaking at a preview event, he said: “You don’t want to give anything away, but I think [the ending] strikes the perfect note.

“Certainly in the case of my character and Olivia’s character, it leaves them exactly where you would expect them to be left.

“There’s a great satisfaction.”

ITV, 9pm