Broadchurch fans are asking if there will be a season 4 of the acclaimed ITV crime drama
Broadchurch, which originally aired on ITV in 2013, is now available for streaming on Netflix.
The series, masterminded by Chris Chinball, unfolds in the eponymous fictional Dorset coastal town and follows the investigative journey of Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (David Tennant) and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman).
The acclaimed drama boasts a stellar cast including Jodie Whittaker, Jonathan Bailey, and Andrew Buchan, earning rave reviews for its writing and particularly for the performances of its two lead stars.
The third season graced our screens in 2017, leaving fans speculating about the possibility of a fourth instalment.
Season three was greenlit immediately following the season two finale, but sadly, the much-adored drama concluded after its third run, reports the Express.
Series creator Chris Chibnall shed light on why Broadchurch had to wrap up after three seasons while discussing his new novel, Death at the White Hart, set in Dorset like Broadchurch.
He was quoted by The Independent as saying: “I think the dissonance is what’s interesting. One of the reasons I didn’t carry on Broadchurch as a show, is that I didn’t want it to be like it suddenly become New York, or Midsomer Murders.
“So I think you have to stress the rarity [of serious crimes]. That feels really important in how it impacts characters, how it impacts the police.”
The series wasn’t abruptly cancelled; it was always planned to conclude after 24 episodes.
Viewing figures climbed steadily throughout the show’s run, with the final series pulling in 10.75million British viewers – a notable jump from the 9.37million who tuned in for the debut season.
Writer Chris Chibnall first dreamt up Broadchurch back in 2003 whilst working on his first series, Born and Bred.
His original vision centred on examining how a child’s murder could devastate a tight-knit seaside community, exploring how residents grappled with intense media scrutiny and mounting public suspicion.
The series has been described as ‘mesmerising’ by devoted fans and boasts an impressive 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Over on IMDb reviews, The Little Songbird praised it as “one of the most exceptionally riveting series to grace my television set”.
They continued: “At its best, ‘Broadchurch’ was some of the best television to grace my television set, not just in recent years but in general. Simply adore mystery dramas and the positive word of mouth was near-universal, reasons enough to watch it. Was riveted and couldn’t look away throughout all three seasons and was thirsty for more, that’s the mark of a great or more series.”
Broadchurch is available on Netflix.
