‘Broadchurch’ returned on fine form on Monday (27 February) night, with the first episode of series three introducing viewers to Trish, who was the victim of a sexual assault at a party.
While bosses are keeping exact details of how the series will develop under wraps, we can now share this preview of next week’s episode, which shows Jim - the husband of Trish’s friend Cath - being asked to give a full statement and DNA sample.
![Mark Bazeley plays Sarah Parish's on-screen husband](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/58b56a2c2800002000630fbe.jpeg?cache=KF1iqJ7KWZ&ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
In the video (which you can watch above) David Tennant’s DI Alec Hardy is seen telling Jim that what he’s asking for is standard procedure, and that the sample is voluntary, but it seems clear that he’s already being lined up as a potential suspect.
In the series opener, viewers learned that Jim had condoms with wrappers matching the one found at the scene in his car glove box, but this is ‘Broadchurch’, so surely they haven’t identified the guilty culprit this early on?
![Olivia and David are back](https://img.huffingtonpost.com/asset/58b56a732900002200beb5d5.jpeg?cache=IUHOKagvqN&ops=scalefit_720_noupscale)
Monday’s episode was a huge hit with fans, and many are already calling for Julie Hesmondhalgh to receive recognition when the TV Baftas roll around.
Rape Crisis have also spoken out on ITV’s decision to centre the series on a sexual assault case, claiming that it could help survivors find their voice.
The next episode of ‘Broadchurch’ airs on Monday 6 March. Catch up on all the latest ‘Broadchurch’ news and spoilers here.