Former ‘Coronation Street’ star Julie Hesmondhalgh has joined the cast of ‘Broadchurch’.
The actress - best known as Hayley Cropper on the cobbles - will star alongside returning stars David Tennant and Olivia Colman in the third and final series of the hit ITV drama.
The pair will reprise their roles as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller, while Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan are also returning to play Beth and Mark Latimer, the parents of murdered schoolboy Danny.
They’ll be joined by other new faces, including Georgina Campbell along with Sarah Parish, Charlie Higson and Mark Bazeley, who ITV bosses say will have “significant roles” in the new eight-part series.
Arthur Darvill will also be back as local Vicar Paul Coates, as will Carolyn Pickles as newspaper editor Maggie Radcliffe, and Adam Wilson as Ellie’s son Tom.
The new series will herald a brand new case for Miller and Hardy, as the detectives reunite to investigate a serious sexual assault.
Teasing details of what is in store for the residents of the seaside town, who are still reeling at Ellie’s husband Joe being found not guilty for Danny’s murder, ITV stated: “The series explores the consequences of a serious sexual assault as a Dorset community comes under the scrutiny of Hardy and Miller’s investigation.
“Based on a year of research with Dorset-based organisations who specialise in dealing with victims of sexual assault, and police advisors who specialise in investigating crimes of sexual violence, Broadchurch’s final chapter looks at the emotional cost to all of those involved and the irreparable damage to friendships and relationships.”
‘Broadchurch’ writer and creator Chris Chibnall added: “This is the final chapter of ‘Broadchurch’. We have one last story to tell, featuring both familiar faces and new characters.
“I hope it’s a compelling and emotional farewell to a world and show that means so much to me.”
Filming will commence this summer in Bridport, West Bay and Clevedon, which have featured as locations in ‘Broadchurch’ series one and two.
It is expected that the final series will air on ITV in 2017.
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