Following a hugely successful broadcast in the U.K., David Tennant has reportedly been cast in the U.S. remake of "Broadchurch," BBC News reported on Thursday.
The ITV drama drew more than 10 million viewers in its season finale when it aired in the U.K. Over the summer, Fox announced that it would be producing an eight episode run of the series, set to air sometime during the 2014-2015 television season. The American remake will most likely go by a different title, but will still feature Tennant as Alec Hardy, one of the lead investigators on a case of a shocking murder that puts a small town and its residents under intense scrutiny. American audiences have already been exposed to "Broadchurch" as it recently aired on BBC America.
Fox announced on Thursday that the creator of "Broadchurch," Chris Chibnall, will write the first episode of the series, while Dan Futterman and Anya Epstein have signed on as executive producers and show runners. Production will begin in January. Chibnall told Entertainment Weekly that he is eager to produce an American version of "Broadchurch."
I'm very fascinated to see the story in a different landscape with an acting ensemble that's just as strong but taken from really great American actors. The DNA of the original story is absolutely intact and filtered through a new prism, so it should still feel just as vibrant, and interesting, and strange, and unique, and beautiful, but just in a different setting - and then it's exploring the dramatic opportunities that that offers up. We're not going to do a terrible version. We're gonna do a great version."
ITV has commissioned a second series of "Broadchurch," but it is unclear whether Tennant and his co-star, Olivia Colman, will be reprising their roles. Tennant's casting in the remake of "Broadchurch" is an addition to the British actor's already busy schedule. The former "Doctor Who" star is currently in rehearsals to play Richard II at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon and will be seen alongside Matt Smith in the 50th anniversary episode of "Doctor Who" on November 23.
