FANS of an iconic television show filmed in West Dorset will be on the edge of their seats tonight as the third and final series comes to a climactic end.

The final episode of Broadchurch will hit our screens at 9pm on ITV1, drawing to a close after eight weeks of 'whodunnit' guessing as Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (played by Olivia Colman) and DI Alec Hardy (played by David Tennant) close in on the attacker.

This series saw them lead an investigation into the rape of Trish Winterman (played by Julie Hesmondhalgh) in the fictional Dorset town.

The makers of the drama have been praised by police and rape counsellors who have said they hope the storyline will encourage real-life victims to come forward.

Viewers have also been moved by the harrowing scenes and have heaped praise on former Coronation Street actress Hesmondhalgh for her portrayal of the character.

The penultimate episode cast more doubt and suspicion on the residents in the sleepy coastal town and also brought to a head the sad storyline that has been building up for Mark Latimer.

Latimer, played by Andrew Buchan, and his family were at the centre of the first series which dealt with the murder of their young son Danny.

Series three has shown Mark's struggle to move on and get over the loss, as well as his unsuccessful attempt at ending his life.

The main suspects in play for the attack on Trish have included her ex, Ian Winterman (played by Charlie Higson), her best friend's husband Jim Atwood (played by Mark Bazeley), cab driver Clive Lucas (played by Sebastian Armesto) and Trish's boss, shop owner Ed Burnett (played by Sir Lenny Henry).