Doctor Whois easily one of the most recognizable shows of all time, andDavid Tennantis incredible as the Doctor, but one of his other TV roles is just as good. The sci-fi staple remains one ofDavid Tennant’s best roles, which is particularly impressive given that his filmography includes everything fromHarry PottertoGood Omens.
Doctor Whois one of thebest sci-fi shows of all time, though, making it easy to see why it remains atop the list. Arguably,Tennant is one of the best Doctorstoo, thanks to his charming persona throughout his time on the show. While it will likely remain his definitive TV role, fans of Tennant’s work should check out his incredible crime drama.
Broadchurch Is David Tennant’s Best Show After Doctor Who
Following the end of his time as the Tenth Doctor, David Tennant went on to star in the British crime seriesBroadchurchfrom 2013 to 2017. Aside from his iconic role as the adventurous Time Lord, Tennant’s portrayal of Detective Inspector Alec Hardy is his best performance, and certainly worth a watch for fans of the actor.
Everything that made Tennant stand out as the Doctor is flipped on its head inBroadchurch, speaking to just how broadly talented Tennant is. Alec Hardy is much more somber and subdued than the iconic sci-fi character, and the show gives ample room for Tennant to explore his character’s emotions.
Broadchurchcenters on the fictional Dorset town of Broadchurch, a small seaside community that is rocked by the discovery of a young boy’s body at the bottom of a cliff. DI Hardy is hired to oversee the investigation, uncovering long-hidden secrets within the town while dealing with his own emotional past as the series progresses.
This stellar premise is likely enough to get crime thriller fans interested, and the series more than delivers on the promised tensions and shocking killer reveal. Unsurprisingly,Broadchurchearned a 92% approval rating onRotten Tomatoes, with critics praising everything from the performances to the writing.
In particular, both David Tennant and Olivia Colman received praise for their performances as DI Hardy and Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller. The pair play off each other well, and in their solo scenes the characters grapple with incredibly fraught emotional situations, making it easy to see whyBroadchurchis considered one of thebest British dramas.
Broadchurch Is An Underrated British Thriller Show, But It’s A Must-Watch
Broadchurchwas a huge success when it began airing in the United Kingdom in 2013, but the response was completely different in the United States. Despite receiving acclaim from British critics, American audiences largely did not watch the series upon its initial release. Now, though, it is a must-watch for crime thriller fans.
Over a decade after the release of its first season,Broadchurchstands out as one of the best British crime shows, and more audiences are finally realizing this thanks to its streaming availability on Prime Video. Even with the availability of seemingly endless crime thriller options,Broadchurchis still a masterpiece.
Beyond the masterful performances of Tennant and Olivia Colman, the central murder investigation is gripping from start to finish. The violent nature of 11-year-old Danny Latimer’s death and the attempt to make it look like an accident raise questions within the small town immediately.
The series deals with the swift change from Broadchurch being a trusting community to a divided, apprehensive one, with its various inhabitants worrying about a monster around every corner and suspecting even those they love most. This tension is perfectly styled and increases throughout each season, building to the final reveal.
What’s more,Broadchurchfeatures an incredibly impressive cast that viewers will easily love, many of whom have become even more recognizable in the years since. In fact, theDoctor Whoactors Jodie Whittaker and Arthur Darvill each play central characters in the series.
In addition to includingDoctor Whostars,Broadchurchfeatures great performances from Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton, Wicked), David Bradley (Harry Potter, Game of Thrones), Jacob Anderson (Game of Thrones, Interview with the Vampire), and other recognizable actors. They all round out the cast nicely and deserve their own praise.
You Can Binge Broadchurch Is Just A Few Days
Given its great ensemble cast and gripping crime plot,Broadchurchis a must-watch that deserves more attention. Luckily, whether you are a seasoned crime fan or new to the genre, the series is easy to get into thanks to its runtime. With three seasons and 24 episodes,Broadchurchis the ideal length for binging.
The series is long enough to sink your teeth into but not a huge commitment. Each of the three seasons features eight episodes, and each of those episodes was originally released in a one-hour time slot. As with similar network TV series, this hour includes ad time, so for streaming audiences, each episode would be in the 40-50 minute range.
According toBingeclock, 24 episodes at approximately 45 minutes each brings the entire watch time for the series to just under 19 hours. This makesBroadchurchaperfect TV show to watch over a long weekend. However, for viewers who prefer to space out their viewing sessions, theDavid Tennant-led series is equally fun to watch over a longer time too, letting the mystery simmer.
