The essential episodes of Broadchurch
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Broadchurch — each pick states its reason.
- 01
Out-of-town DI Alec Hardy investigates the mysterious death of an 11-year-old boy in an idyllic seaside community, aided by local girl DS Ellie Miller, who has her work cut out dealing with her unyielding new boss. Meanwhile, the sadness of losing their child consumes Beth and Mark Latimer as they and the other residents of Broadchurch try to cope with the media frenzy surrounding the case.
- 02
The detectives have their work cut out identifying key suspects, especially as the location of Danny's murder is still a mystery, but Miller discovers some suspicious items taped under the victim's bed and in his sister Chloe's room, which could help them get closer to the truth. Meanwhile, Hardy finds an isolated clifftop hut that arouses his curiosity, the Latimers struggle to cope with their grief and the Rev Paul Coates decides to address the local media.
- 03
Fingerprints at the crime scene lead DI Hardy and DS Miller to a shocking suspect in Danny's murder - his father. When questioned, Mark explains he had been there recently to repair a boiler, but his alibi for the night of the murder quickly falls apart. Meanwhile, Steve Connelly approaches Beth claiming to have a message - from her dead son.
- 04
Local journalist Olly investigates Jack, the newsagent for whom Danny did a paper round - and discovers a suspicious previous conviction. Meanwhile, Beth and Mark try to get more national press coverage of their son's death in an attempt to find his killer, and Hardy goes for dinner with Miller and her husband, but blacks out in his hotel room later that evening.
- 05
Miller realises the evidence Jack handed over does not tally with her knowledge of Danny's possessions, while Olly and Karen work together on an article about the newsagent's past. However, the next morning when they read the paper, they discover the piece has been rewritten to make Jack look like a sex offender - and the police can offer little protection.
- 06
Files are piling up at the police station but, with no fresh leads or witnesses, the case is stalling and morale is low. Hardy is stunned when he's told to scale back resources and feels his hope of catching Danny's killer is slipping away. However, at the Broadchurch Echo, Maggie grows determined to solve a mystery that has taken a very personal turn for her. How will her efforts affect the official investigation?
- 07
Following recent events, Miller is more isolated than ever before as she tries to find out what happened at the clifftop hut. Meanwhile, the police are circling Susan as Nige grows increasingly desperate for her to leave Broadchurch. What is she hiding? And which members of the local community hold the key to Danny's death?
- 08
After weeks of speculation, the Broadchurch community struggles to come to terms with the truth about the events surrounding Danny Latimer's death, and the revelations threaten to prevent the dead boy from being allowed to rest in peace.
- 09
A trap is set - but will it have the desired result? In a turn of events she could never have foreseen, Ellie finds herself exposed and alone.
- 10
Decisions are made, truths are revealed and lives in Broadchurch are changed forever.
- 11
To Ellie and Hardy, and the rest of Broadchurch CID, it becomes clear very quickly that the location of the attack and all the surrounding circumstances are going to make this an incredibly difficult investigation. Ellie and Hardy start to investigate Trish's life. Who are her friends and family? The men in her life? They meet her ex-husband Ian, her best friend's husband Jim, and Lucas, a local cab driver. All of them were in the area when the attack took place. Ellie and Hardy need Trish to give her main video interview, which will be relied on in court if the case goes that far, but she is still in trauma. They need to move the investigation forward quickly as there is a predator on the loose. Trish's ISVA tells Hardy and Ellie that she doesn't think Trish is ready, but Hardy decides they should go ahead. But it is too soon - they do get more information, but Trish brings the interview to a premature end when they ask her a question that she is not prepared to answer.
- 12
Trish returns to the scene of the crime - will she remember anything more about the attack?DC Katie Harford discovers a strong lead - a new suspect who doesn't have an alibi.Questioned by Ellie and Hardy, Cath reveals interesting new information about the night of her party.Finally, a breakthrough - Hardy and Ellie get a match on the male DNA found on Trish.An unknown woman walks into the police station. Interviewed by Ellie and Hardy, she delivers some devastating new information.
- 13
A new witness tells Hardy and Ellie their story. This information turns Ellie and Hardy's understanding of Trish's case upside down.Katie discovers a crucial new link between the case and a key suspect. Ellie and Hardy investigate the suspect's alibi more closely and find worrying inconsistencies.Beth tells her supervisor about Trish's case. Their discussion leads them to come forward to Ellie and Hardy with new revelations.Lucas reveals what he saw on the night of the party. Jim reacts violently, telling him to keep his mouth shut.A call from the owner at Axehampton forces Ellie and Hardy to hurry back to the grounds of the house once more.
- 14
Ellie and Hardy bring a new suspect in for questioning. In a search of this suspect's premises, Ellie finds devastating new evidence linking him to the crime.Back at the station, DC Katie Harford confronts Ellie and Hardy with an uncomfortable truth about her role in the investigation.Hardy and Ellie's new suspect gives them his detailed version of events, but when they dig deeper they begin to doubt his story.Ellie and Hardy discover that Ian has taken a personal item of Trish's without her knowledge. They seize it for examination. What can they learn from it?
- 15
Hardy and Ellie uncover the truth behind the rape of Trish Winterman, and lives in Broadchurch are changed forever.
Shows like Broadchurch
The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.
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- 05Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of Elementary2012–2019·CBSElementary is a modern-day take on the classic Sherlock Holmes story about a crime-solving duo that cracks the NYPD's most impossible cases.
- 06Drama·Crime·MysteryThe essential episodes of Dexter2006–2013·Paramount+ with Showtime
He's smart, he's good looking, and he's got a great sense of humor.
