DI Alec Hardy (David Tennant)
The grumpy detective arrived in Broadchurch on the day Danny Latimer’s body was found on the town’s pristine’s beach. He promptly nicked the job DS Ellie Miller had been promised, despite his high-profile bungling of the Sandbrook case, in which two cousins disappeared but nobody was brought to justice. Hardy publicly took the blame for the theft of vital evidence that led to the case’s collapse, but later admitted (to Broadchurch local hacks Maggie and Oliver) that the evidence was stolen from his detective sergeant’s car while she was having an affair in a hotel. The DS was also his wife. Also worth noting: has a heart condition that means he shouldn’t get into stressful situations (ie, policing and driving), which he unsuccessfully tried to keep secret from his boss.
DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman)
Well-liked local detective who returned from holiday to find Hardy had stolen her promotion, and her son Tom’s (apparent) best mate had been murdered. Intially not that keen on Hardy, though as the Latimer case progressed relations between the two thawed. Her perfect home life – two kids, doting husband Joe, strong life-long friendships with people she grew up with – was shattered when Danny’s murderer was revealed to be Joe. Her husband later confessed to Hardy that he had accidentally killed the 11-year-old after forming a relationship with him. Ellie took the kids and moved away from Broadchurch following Joe’s arrest.
Joe Miller
Revealed as Danny’s killer at the end of series one – to some shock – after appearing the perfect supportive husband and dad. He and Ellie had dinner with DI Hardy at their home, and were friends with the Latimer family. He admitted to being in love with Danny Latimer and secretly meeting up “to hug”, but denied a sexual relationship. He claimed Danny’s death was an an accident.
Beth Latimer (Jodie Whittaker)
Mother of Danny and Chloe Latimer. We lived her terrible grief in series one, as she waited to bury her son and for news of his final hours. She and husband Mark were teenage sweethearts.
Mark Latimer (Andrew Buchan)
Local plumber and father of Danny and Chloe Latimer. Admitted to an affair with local hotel owner Becca Fisher – seen this series snogging the vicar – during the investigation of his son’s murder, which strained his marriage to Beth to almost breaking point.
Rev Paul Coates (Arthur Darvill)
Broadchurch’s media-friendly vicar came under some fairly sustained suspicion in series one, in which he looked a little too friendly with 11-year-olds Danny and Tom. Kissed Becca Fisher outside court. Seems to be Joe’s only prison visitor.
Maggie Radcliffe (Carolyn Pickles)
Fearsome local newspaper editor who knows everyone and everything. Her relationship with Jocelyn (below) didn’t feature in the first series of Broadchurch – what is their story?
Olly Stephens (Jonathan Bailey)
Ambitious young reporter who spends quite a lot of time publishing things he possibly shouldn’t from his BlackBerry. Was flattered by attentions of national reporter Karen White in series one – of whom there is currently no sign. His mum, Lucy, is Ellie Miller’s sister.
Jocelyn Knight (Charlotte Rampling)
Barrister. New character for season two, Jocelyn is being tempted out of retirement by Maggie and the Latimers.
Sharon Bishop (Marianne Jean-Baptiste)
Former pupil of Jocelyn, now with her own pupil, Abby. Looks set to be pitted against her old boss.
Claire Ripley (Eve Myles)
Testified against her husband at the Sandbrook case, and is now being protected by Alec Hardy. Possibly not that effectively. New for series two.
Lee Ashworth (James D’Arcy)
The Sandbrook murderer. Perhaps. Newly arrived in Broadchurch. Was it him reading Hardy’s post in the bus shelter?
• Read Mark Lawson’s review of series two, episode one and join us from next week for our episode blog.
