Burning Boat #Broadchurch S1

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BROADCHURCH

When the three times BAFTA-winning crime drama, Broadchurch, filmed in West Bay, Dorset, first aired in the UK on March 4th, 2013, over 9.5 million viewers tuned in to watch. Airing over a period of eight weeks, the show literally became a TV success for the ITV network overnight. And soon enough, week in, week out, it became a talking point on the length and breadth of the UK, as TV viewers tried to guess who had killed Danny Latimer? A trend that continued right up until the series finale, which came to a dramatic conclusion on April 22nd April 2013.

What was different about Broadchurch?

At first, it was likened to the Danish TV show The Killing. But, after about three weeks, it soon became evident that Broadchurch was much more than a British take on a Scandi drama. It felt special. And aside of the wonderful dynamic between the show's lead detectives, DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) and DI Alec Hardy (David Tennant), alongside lead family - The Latimer's (Mark, Beth, Chloe and Danny), nothing like it had been seen on the small screen for many years. Least not in the UK. Not since the likes of Prime Suspect.

Broadchurch set a precedence and managed to retain that good old-fashioned cliffhanger, whilst adopting plotlines that were shrouded in secrecy. So secret, in fact, that even the actors themselves had little idea what was to come next, or what would come of their characters until a few days before filming. Which is now being adopted by many more of today's TV dramas.

How, in effect, did this work for the show?

Week on week, requests were put out to journalists and TV executives not to preview the following week's episode in their TV journals, magazine reviews or TV blogs so that speculation on who'd dunnit was kept to a minimum. While actors were asked to sign NDA agreements which would prevent them from discussing the show in too much detail during TV interviews. And therefore the only discussions taking place were on fans social media feeds, or on the bus, and on the high street between friends and colleagues, all wanting to know the same thing — Who had killed Danny Latimer!

Since then, Broadchurch has gone on to be a phenomenal success. It's already gone global, having been bought by over 100 countries, the latest being places such as Brazil, Mexico, Germany and Sweden. Season 2 aired in the UK back in January 2015, with a third (and final season 3) already being commissioned for 2016/17. It's won many awards, including three BAFTA's, along with several awards for a number of the lead actors.

While I am definitely biased, if you've yet to see it, then I definitely recommend you give it a go. Preferably as a box set. Because it's virtually impossible to watch only one episode, and I guarantee there will not be a dry eye in the house by the end of it!

— ifourdezign

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About Broadchurch 1

Written by ex-Doctor Who / Torchwood / Law And Order UK writer Chris Chibnall, Broadchurch, is a quiet, idyllic (fictional) coastal town, in the county of Dorset, England. However, the town is soon thrust into the media spotlight when it becomes the scene of murder and young eleven-year-old Danny Latimer is found lying dead on the beach under the Jurassic cliffs, in what appears to be suspicious circumstances. As the entire town comes under surveillance, we are introduced to the show's two lead detectives. DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) and DI Alec Hardy (David Tennant).

DS Miller is a happily married detective with two children, a pillar of the community. For whom returns to town, assured in her mind that promotion to that of a detective inspector is hers. However, elation soon turns to fury, when Miller discovers, that in her absence, a change of circumstance has brought about a situation that means the job has instead been given to a man – DI Alec Hardy.

Stony-faced Hardy, is an out of town cop. A complicated individual shrouded in mystery. Haunted by his past mistakes, he arrives in Broadchurch under a cloud of controversy, curtailed by a scandal-tinged work history, fuelled by the interference of one persistent newspaper reporter, who refuses to let him forget past errors. Though desperate to retain a low profile, things soon spiral out of control for Hardy, when he is the first senior officer at the scene of Danny Latimer’s death, immediately thrusting the brooding Hardy back into the media spotlight, right into the path of DS Miller!

From the onset, the relationship between the two is tempestuous. And Ellie (or Miller), as Hardy insists on calling her throughout, becomes easily exasperated by her new boss and his Metropolitan style regimes. Yet remaining compassionate, Miller tries her utmost to try and bridge the gap between them. However, Hardy is a difficult man to crack with much on his mind and harbours a number of secrets, largely concerning his state of health. And, as is defined throughout the series, you can rest assured this will have repercussions later on.

But as the investigation runs into several long weeks, with no sign of a killer being caught, the two detectives soon realise that the clock is ticking, and time is fast running out! And that's just for DI Alec Hardy.

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— Burning Boat (2014, revised in 2023) —

Burning Boat is heavily dominated by the UK leads silhouettes. They're purposely shown facing away from each other to define their conflict and antagonism. Other graphics in the scene depict a few spoiler moments that are key to the initial plot. (Burning boat and clifftop silhouettes).

I also introduced the idea of a jigsaw puzzle, which is connected in some small way to the shows theme tune

— 'So Close', written and performed by Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds. But, to fully appreciate this one, you really need to see the show, I guarantee you will not be disappointed!

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— So Close (2014, revised in 2023) —

So Close is intended to accompany and complement the previous poster design. It is for this reason alone I decided to keep the jigsaw piece theme running throughout the design.

— When The Clocks Fail (2014) —

When the clocks fail was initially designed to appear in So Close. But I felt it worked as a standalone design. The clockface is inspired by an analogue close used in the show. But why 3:19am?

During the early hours of the 18 July 2013, Mark, and Beth Latimer sleep undisturbed. Unperturbed by the notion that, several miles away, their eleven-year-old son, Danny, stands in peril, on the edge of a cliff at Harbour Cliff Beach. Here, his hand drips with blood; his breathing is laboured, and his eyes are sad and glazed with tears. But what is he doing up there?

Sadly, it's a question neither parent thinks to ask as they casually gather for breakfast. Because, unlike many a kid his age, Danny's an early bird. Who often chooses to go out at some ungodly hour as he likes to complete his paper-round. Yet, even in a rush, unlike his dad, Danny rarely forgets to eat. So why then is his pre-packed lunch sat idly on the kitchen side untouched, waiting to be collected?

Beth is the first to notice. Before being distracted by a digital flicker coming from not one but several clocks in the house. All blinking zero, or 3:19 am. Could it be a fuse? It's possible, according to Mark.

— So Close - Barbed Wire (2014) —

When Broadchurch first opens we are met with a sinister scene. Danny Latimer stands on the edge of a cliff terrified for his life, his hand dripping with what appears to be blood. A wound he has sustained whilst on the run. But from who or what? But as Danny stands dangerously close to the edge contemplating his next move, his parents sleep soundly, completely oblivious that their son is in grave danger at what appears to be the middle of the night. But what is he even doing there? And more importantly, who or what is he running away from?

— @3:19 The Light Goes Out (2014) —

As the sun rises and dawn breaks, Danny Latimer's bed is not only empty but quite shockingly appears to have been made. Yet already running late, mother Beth is seemingly unaware her son has not been home all night. But as the family prepare for their day, Beth just assumes her son is already up and out on his paper round. But, as the morning progresses, it soon becomes evident that Danny is missing, and within hours the Latimer's lives are sent into turmoil.

So, at 3:19am, on the 18th of July 2013 as the Latimer family sleep, the house experiences a power cut. And whilst it is never actually confirmed on-screen that this was the exact time Danny Latimer died near Harbour Cliff Beach, we are briefly shown Danny Latimer's bedroom clock. (As I have tried to define in my So Close design).

I've always believed that Chibnall used the clock in some way as a metaphor to help illustrate Danny's passing.
Also, in the Broadchurch novel written by Erin Kelly, it is also mentioned that a radio clock appears to be stuck at 3:19am but appears to be without definition.

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— Do I irk you, Miller? —

As most Broadie's will know the answer is most definitely yes! And convincingly so.

But, the credit here needs to go to the shows two leads. DI Alec Hardy played by David Tennant and DS Ellie Miller played by Olivia Colman. Together they are simply stupendous. And yet, whilst both actors have appeared in a number of comedic roles separately, most surprisingly, neither actor has ever worked together before Broadchurch. Which almost seems quite ridiculous.

Their comedy timing is perfection. And easily on a level with the likes of Tennant and Catherine Tate in Doctor Who. Yet, whilst they have the ability to leave you with your sides aching as they snap and snipe at each other like a married couple, in an instant they can also leave you a sobbing, bawling mess, as we watch their emotional journey unfold. However, it's fair to say, that despite a great deal of Broadchurch being traumatic, there are a number of comedic and satirical moments between these two that helps to lift the dark sombre clouds.

The illustration's title is derived from an aloof comment made by Hardy to Miller in S1 / Ep6 - but the inspiration for the rather cheeky seaside style illustration comes from a scene between the two detectives in S1 / Ep4 - which you can watch here

An in-house show joke - And yes...the sand sculpture is exactly what you are thinking!

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— (Dis)Gracepoint —

The US Version

While actors, Olivia Colman and David Tennant are the UK leads for the ITV series Broadchurch, there is another version. In fact, there are now several versions, all floating around the globe. However, the US version is more significant because it also features David Tennant!

Now called Gracepoint, Alec Hardy is replaced with an even colder and aloof American called Detective Emmett Carver. While Colman's Ellie Miller has a new face and is replaced by Breaking Bad's Anna Gunn. Confused? You will be. While they are similar in the beginning, it's worth sticking with it as it branches off in a different direction and provides viewers with an alternative ending.

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If you would like to buy prints of (some of) the artwork shown above, then please visit my store