BRIDPORT: Waterstones store hosted a unique book signing event to mark to the launch of the Broadchurch novel.

Fans of the series lined the shop on September 20, waiting for their turn to chat with author Erin Kelly and series producer Chris Chibnall, who were welcomed in the town that was thrust into the national spotlight last year with the acclaimed television series.

The novel broadly follows the plot written by creator Chris Chibnall, according to author Erin Kelly, but that one key difference of the novel was in being able to explore the thought processes of the characters more than would have been possible on screen with internal monologues and other techniques.

“The plot is faithful by and large to the television series but goes more into the thought processes of the characters than they could do on screen.

“The big performances by the cast helped in the writing,” she said.

Erin said she was selected to write the book after passing an audition process in which she was asked to rewrite the entire first act of the series and present it in a novel format.

Confident of the first novel’s success, Erin politely declined to comment as to whether there would be a follow-up.

Series creator Chris Chibnall said that he was pleased to take part in the joint book signing, the only one of its kind in the area which signified ‘Broadchurch coming home’.

The reception from the community as filming for the second series continued remained ‘really supportive’, and without giving any details away promised viewers would be in for a treat when it hits the airwaves.

“The reception from the community continues to be great and is really supportive which we are grateful for.

“What I can say is that there will be even more Dorset on screen this season,” he said.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed last week by ITV that comedy actress Meera Syal will star in the second series.

The actress has starred in BBC comedy The Kumars at No 42.

A spokesman for ITV would not reveal what her role will be or how important she will be in the ITV show.

The producers are staying tight-lipped about the plot’s secrets for the second series.

Syal rose to prominence as one of the writers of cult comedy Goodness, Gracious Me and became one of the UK’s most prominent Indian actresses when she appeared in The Kumars at No. 42, playing the role of Sanjeev’s grandmother, Ummi.

The second series of Broadchurch is lined up to the screen in spring 2015.

The show averaged more than nine million viewers when it first hit television screens in spring last year.