JODIE WHITTAKER as Beth Latimer and ANDREW BUCAHN as Mark Latimer.
Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Bucahn play the parents of a murdered boy (Image: ITV)

One of Britain’s most cherished TV shows is streaming on Netflix. Broadchurch, the award-winning drama from ITV that claimed three BAFTAs, has been hailed as one of the most exceptional shows ever produced.

The police drama hailing from 2013 begins with the murder of 11-year-old Danny Latimer, whose body is found at the base of coastal cliffs. The tragedy rips through the close-knit Dorset community, compelling DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) to work alongside Alec Hardy (David Tennant) — an outsider who secured the DI positon she’d been expecting — to solve the devastating case. What unfolds is an intricate web of deception, suspicion and the sinister secrets concealed beneath a seemingly tranquil town.

Unlike traditional police procedurals, this programme avoids high-speed chases and armed raids through tower blocks. Instead, it examines the deep flaws we all possess, the quiet torment that comes with profound loss and the dangers of judgement by public perception.

Broadchurch commands a 94% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating alongside an 8.3 score on IMDB.

The series offers a truly unforgettable experience, with exceptional performances across the board. And without ruining the show, it features a stunning twist. The ensemble cast is impeccable, and despite being over a decade old, it continues to grip new viewers.

One viewer who watched the show in 2025 gushed: “It’s been on my list for years and years, and I finally just finished season 1. This is quite simply one of the best crime dramas I’ve ever seen. It’s funny cause I watched Gracepoint as it was airing here in America, but I remembered next to nothing of that show except for a few of the actors who were in it.

“Meanwhile, I don’t think I’ll ever forget Broadchurch. The emotional journey I was taken on will be etched in me for a very very long time.”

Broadchurch
The death of an 11-year-old boy rocks an idyllic coastal town (Image: ITV)

One IMDB reviewer enthused: “This is ‘Shakespeare writes a detective story’. It was beautifully done. In no way has he [writer Chris Chibnall] broken the cardinal rule of show, don’t tell.

“Nor has he made the horrible mistake of creating any perfect character. All of them, from youngest to oldest, are wonderfully imperfect human beings.”

Whilst its debut series has near-universal praise, viewers have complained about the ones that followed. How do you rate Broadchurch? Let us know in the comments.