BROADCHURCH returned home to Bridport last night - as cast and crew said thank you to the town with a special screening of the dramatic finale to series two.
There were gasps, applause and pantomime boos at the Electric Palace as the hit drama ended series two with dark and emotional twists and turns.
Soundtrack composer Ólafur Arnalds put on a special performance prior to the screening, before an emotional Bridport native Chris Chibnall, who created the series, joined fans to watch the finale unravel.
“I was very nervous about seeing it here, but it was great that everyone was so swept up by it all” he said.
“I was really blown away by the response - I wasn’t expecting that at all. The gasps and the applause and just the emotional connection in the room, I wasn’t expecting that on any level. It felt like a really unique Bridport night.
“The focus of this night for all of us was to say a huge thank you to Bridport, West Bay and to Dorset. For Ólafur and everyone to bring this show here, it is a real heartfelt thank you to everyone.
“I’m just constantly blown away by how generous and supportive people are towards the show. It really means absolutely everything to us. We are a family on the show and it feels like everyone in Bridport and West Bay are part of that family.”
Chris was joined in the audience by fellow executive producer Jane Featherstone and star Jodie Whittaker, who plays Beth Latimer.
“It’s such a relief to not panic about what I say or do” said Jodie. “It was really magical, this space is really beautiful.
“I’ve never seen television with such a big crowd. The wonderful thing about this is you’re so immersed in everything else and the story.”
Chris also confirmed that he had always planned for Broadchurch to return for a third series - and that two of the biggest stars will also be back.
“We will do a series three” he said. “The second series has averaged 9m viewers which was pretty much the same as the first series - which is really extraordinary and we didn’t expect it.
“Now we get to work on the third series. I’m really excited about it and David (Tennant) and Olivia (Colman) will be back. It’s great to think about writing for those characters and this world again.”
Jodie hopes Beth will return in the next instalment, but knows she will be hooked whether she is involved or not.
“I will be looking forward to it if I can go and woo Chris to be in it” she said.
“There was a cheer at the end when is said ‘Broadchurch will return’. For us guys, whether we are in it again or not, it has been absolutely wonderful.”
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