Broadchurch finale pulls in 8.7 million viewers as ITV mystery drama ends

David Tennant and Olivia Coleman’s series bid farewell with an audience peak of 9.3 million
Finale: Olivia Colman and David Tennant's ITV drama Broadchurch has come to an end
ITV
Robert Dex @RobDexES18 April 2017

About nine million viewers tuned in to watch the finale of Broadchurch.

Figures from ITV showed an average audience of 8.7 million watched the show’s last ever episode — with 9.3 million viewers at its peak.

Fans hailed its final plot twist and demanded a spin-off show of the West Country-set crime drama, starring Olivia Colman and David Tennant as the detectives hunting a sex attacker, which has been a huge critical and commercial success.

Fans, who have competed throughout the show to identify the wanted man using the hashtag #broadchurchtheory, raved about last night’s ending of the third series.

Broadchurch, Series 3 - in pictures

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The show’s sensitive portrayal of the crime was welcomed by charity campaigners, with Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support saying it showed the “impact of rape on survivors” and the area’s deputy chief constable describing it as “harrowing” but “vital” viewing.

DCC Gareth Morgan tweeted: “Well done — brilliant job helping raise awareness & perhaps more importantly confidence to report & be supported.”

The show is the creation of TV writer Chris Chibnall, who is due to take charge of Doctor Who next year — sparking a theory that Colman could get the job as the Timelord after the Peter Capaldi leaves.

Tennant, a former Doctor Who, said she would be “magnificent” in the role.

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