Eagle-eyed Doctor Who fans spot a plethora of connections between BBC sci-fi show and gritty ITV drama as Jodie Whittaker is cast as the 13th Time Lord

'It's a Broadchurch explosion!' Eagle-eyed Doctor Who fans spot a plethora of connections between BBC sci-fi show and gritty ITV drama as Jodie Whittaker is cast as the 13th Time Lord

By Andrew Bullock For Mailonline

PUBLISHED: 22:47, 16 July 2017 | UPDATED: 01:10, 17 July 2017

Sunday's announcement about who will play the 13th generation of Doctor Who took fans of the show by surprise as they learnt it will be a woman - Jodie Whittaker.

But as the news registered with the masses, it slowly dawned on a few that the BBC sci-fi series has a multitude of links with ITV's gritty drama Broadchurch.

Aside from the obvious fact that Whittaker, 35, was one of the leading stars of the seaside whodunnit series - which aired its third and final chapter earlier this year - it appears there are several other obvious - and not so obvious - connections to both shows.

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'It's a Broadchurch explosion!' Eagle-eyed Doctor Who fans spot a plethora of connections between BBC sci-fi show and gritty ITV drama as Jodie Whittaker is cast as the 13th Time Lord

The most glaring is the fact that David Tennant - who was the 10th incarnation of Doctor Who between 2005 and 2010 - starred alongside Whittaker in all three seasons of Broadchurch.

Tennant played the lead role DI Alec Hardy, alongside Whittaker's Beth Latimer from 2013 to 2017.

The pair featured heavily together in the show, with seasons one and two following the hunt for Beth's son's murderer - led by DI Hardy - and his subsequent trial. By season three, Beth was a counselor for abuse victims, and worked with Hardy on a rape case.

State the obvious: The most glaring link is the fact that David Tennant - who was the 10th incarnation of Doctor Who between 2005 and 2010 - starred alongside Whittaker in all three seasons of Broadchurch

Connections: Chris Chibnall, who helmed Broachurch, is now in charge of Doctor Who; and seems to have brought Whittaker along with him

A second tie between the two programs is the fact that Chris Chibnall, who helmed Broachurch, is now in charge of Doctor Who; and seems to have brought Whittaker along with him.

As the casting news was announced on Sunday, Chibnall said of the actress: 'After months of lists, conversations, auditions, recalls, and a lot of secret-keeping, we’re excited to welcome Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor.

'I always knew I wanted a woman and we’re thrilled to have secured our number one choice. Her audition for The Doctor simply blew us all away.

New role: As the casting news was announced on Sunday, Chibnall said of the actress - 'After months of lists, conversations, auditions, recalls, and a lot of secret-keeping, we’re excited to welcome Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor

Joining the dots: As the casting news registered with the masses, it slowly dawned on a few that the BBC sci-fi series has a multitude of links with ITV's gritty drama Broadchurch

'Jodie is an in-demand, funny, inspiring, super-smart force of nature and will bring loads of wit, strength and warmth to the role.'

In addition, another fellow Broadchurch lead, Olivia Colman, was at one point thought to be taking on the role.

But despite Tennant giving his blessing, stating that Colman would be 'a magnificent choice' he also shot down the rumours, saying at one point: 'Olivia is busier than any other actor on Earth. I don’t think she’d be able to suddenly take four years to go to Cardiff. I don’t think her schedule would really allow it whether she wanted it or not.'

She shot the rumours down herself too, saying: 'My brother sent me a text saying "Congratulations, they’ve released odds on you being the new Doctor Who". How funny, I wouldn’t put any money on it!'

Not this time: In addition, another fellow Broadchurch lead, Olivia Colman, was at one point thought to be taking on the role

She was at one point 10-1 to step into exiting Doctor Peter Capaldi’s shoes. Other actress' names being floated included Tilda Swinton, Haley Atwell and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

The Broadchurch links don't stop there; Arthur Darvill, who played Rory Williams, one of the 11th Doctor's companions between 2010 and 2012, went on to portray Rev. Paul Coates in Broadchurch throughout its full run.

Actress Eve Myles cropped up in the 2005 Doctor Who episode The Unquiet Dead and went on to take a lead role in spin-off series Torchwood, playing Gwen Cooper between 2006 and 2011.

She was then cast in 2014 in the second season of Broadchurch portraying  Claire Ripley - one of the focal points of the show's side-plot, again featuring Tennant's DI Hardy heavily.

The Broadchurch links don't stop there: Arthur Darvill, who played Rory Williams, one of the 11th Doctor's companions between 2010 and 2012, went on to portray Rev. Paul Coates in Broadchurch throughout its full run

Start to finish: The local vicar was an integral character throughout seasons one to three

Cross-pollination: Actress Eve Myles cropped up in the 2005 Doctor Who episode The Unquiet Dead and went on to take a lead role in spin-off series Torchwood, playing Gwen Cooper between 2006 and 2011

Co-stars: She was then cast in 2014 in the second season of Broadchurch portraying Claire Ripley - one of the focal points of the show's side-plot, again featuring Tennant's DI Hardy heavily

Yet another link comes in the form of David Bradley whose connections are multi-layered within the Doctor Who canon.

He portrayed Solomon in the episode Dinosaurs on a Spaceship, before playing the part of William Hartnell [the actor that played the very first incarnation of The Doctor] in the docudrama An Adventure In Space And Time.

He returned to Doctor Who in The Doctor Falls, portraying Hartnell's First Doctor once again and will feature this Christmas in the special episode titled The Doctors - which will see the first and most recent Doctor Who [Capaldi] in the same instalment, and debut Whittaker in her new role.

This will see Bradley reunited with Whittaker once again, having both been in Broadchurch together.

Crossover: Yet another link comes in the form of David Bradley whose connections are multi-layered within the Doctor Who canon

Old meets new: Bradley will feature this Christmas in the special episode titled The Doctors - which will see the first and most recent Doctor Who [Capaldi, pictured] in the same instalment, and debut Whittaker in her new role

Bradley played the role of Jack Marshall, the local shopkeeper in the coastal town, in the first season only.

The character was at one point a suspect in the murder of Whittaker's character's son having been found in possession of his mobile phone.

Although proven innocent, he committed suicide by jumping from the edge of the infamous Broadchurch cliff, unable to deal with his public humiliation.  

Eagle-eyed fans of the series noticed the links between the two shows after Whittaker was announced on Sunday, taking to Twitter to show off their sleuthing skills.

One person wrote: 'It just clicked that Jodie Whittaker was with David Tennant and Chris Chibnall in Broadchurch. It's like a Broadchurch explosion!'

Old school: Bradley is no stranger to the franchise, playing the part of William Hartnell [the actor that played the very first incarnation of The Doctor] in the docudrama An Adventure In Space And Time

Newest star: The revelation was made on live television after the Wimbledon men's tennis final

Another was even more savvy, posting: 'Chris Chibnall. Jodie Whittaker. David Tennant. David Bradley. Eve Myles. Arthur Darvil. Broadchurch/Doctor Who connections BOI.'

A third mused: 'David Tennant was great in Broadchurch so, therefore, Jodie Whittaker should be good on Doctor Who, right?'

'So Olivia Coleman, David Tennant, Arthur Darvill and Jodie Whittaker are all in Broadchurch and Doctor Who,' a fourth person posted, stating the obvious.

Someone else made a much more imaginative observation writing 'If Jodie Whittaker is #DoctorWho13 and David Tennant was Doctor Who 10, does that make Broadchurch Gallifrey?' referring to the Doctor's home planet.

Grant unveiling: A film clip showed a mysterious hooded figure - revealed to be Whittaker - walking through the woods 

Multi-talented: Whittaker has appeared in the likes of Attack The Block [2011] and Good [2008]

'The new Doctor is Jodie Whittaker, first female Doctor Who, previously on Broadchurch with ex-Doctor Who David Tennant. I'm pumped,' an excited fan wrote, joining the dots.

'I just realized that Jodie Whittaker is following the exact reverse order of #doctorwho and #Broadchurch as David Tennant,' someone else typed, followed by another who wrote: 'So the new #13th #DoctorWho Jodie Whittaker stars on #Broadchurch alongside David Tennant #10th. How cool is that connection?'

'Broadchurch is the Southampton to Doctor Who’s Liverpool,' joked someone else. 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-4701870/Fans-realise-Broadchurch-Doctor-connected.html#ixzz4n8IEqcil
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Boom in holidays to places made famous by TV and film with tourists flocking to locations for Game of Thrones, The Lord of the Rings, Sex and The City and... Broadchurch

• One in four adults say they choose where to go on their next getaway based on their favourite movie or TV set
• The Lord of the Rings' filming locations in New Zealand top a new study commissioned by HBO Entertainment
• Game of Thrones features three times in the top 10, with viewers travelling to Northern Ireland, Iceland and Malta

By MICHAEL GADD FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 13:15, 22 June 2015 | UPDATED: 12:03, 24 June 2015

Holiday destinations made famous by TV and film are booming in popularity - with New Zealand, Malta and Dorset among the favourites, a study has found.

One in four adults now regularly pick where to go on their next holiday based on filming locations used in their favourite TV shows or films.

New Zealand, famously the location of filming for much of The Lord of the Rings franchise, came top in the poll of film locations we would most like to visit commissioned by HBO Entertainment. 

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The Lord of the Rings, starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, is the greatest TV or film inspiration for people's holidays

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 Fans of The Lord of the Rings flock from all over the world to Hobbiton, which is The Shire in the films and has been preserved 

The moody and vastly varied landscapes of New Zealand, such as this scene in Glenorchy, are also a source of fascination

Second is New York, where fans of Sex and the City want to retrace the stiletto steps of heroine Carrie Bradshaw as she flaunts her way from one Cosmopolitan to another with her three besties.

The HBO phenomenon, Game of Thrones, features three times in the top 10, with viewers now travelling to The Causeway Coast and Glens in Northern Ireland, Iceland and Malta off the back of the success of the epic fantasy series.

And the popularity of Broadchurch saw West Bay in Dorset feature at number five in the list.

Colin Smith, Director of HBO Home Entertainment UK, which commissioned the research to mark the release of Game of Thrones Season 5 on digital HD, said: 'When choosing a holiday destination, there are already a large number of things to consider - things like cost, travel time and weather. 

Three of the set locations featuring Kit Harrington's Jon Snow and the other Games of Thrones characters feature in the top 10

Game of Thrones devotees are seeking out destinations such as The Causeway Coast and Glens in Northern Ireland

Sarah Jessica Parker's Carrie Bradshaw and Sex and the City draw fans to New York City with tours based on the show still hugely popular

'While we might have only considered the more well-known tourist destinations before, some shows are introducing us to countries or cities away from the beaten track, and are helping to broaden our horizons when it comes to our travel plans.'

Moyra Locke, Head of Marketing at Northern Ireland Screen added: 'Game of Thrones is a phenomenal worldwide success and everything about the series can be talked of in superlatives.

'It is a magnificent showcase for many stunning locations across Northern Ireland and has had a significant, positive effect on tourism here.

'We have made no secret of the fact that we hope Game of Thrones will do for Northern Ireland what Lord of the Rings did for New Zealand.' 

The hugely popular Broadchurch, starring David Tennant as Alec Hardy and Olivia Colman as Ellie Miller, lands Dorset on the list

Beautiful West Bay on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset comes fifth in a study of 2,000 adults asking which locations they most want to visitThe study of 2,000 adults found almost half have countries or landmarks they would like to visit after seeing it on their TV or cinema screen.

And one in five even admitted they dream of visiting the locations used in their favourite TV show or film so they can take a selfie next to a famous spot. 

New Zealand came top of the most popular TV holiday choices, after being used as the main location in the Lord of the Rings series, followed by Sex and the City's home of New York City.

Third place went to The Giant's Causeway, in Northern Ireland, one of several Game of Thrones locations to feature in the poll, along with The Hangover's location of Las Vegas.

Alnwick Castle, in Northumberland, which featured in the Harry Potter films, came sixth, followed by Paris, used to film Inception, and Benidorm, in Spain - home to the ITV hit of the same name.

The ultimate inspiration for the lads' weekend away, The Hangover film earns Las Vegas its places as the fourth most desired destination

Las Vegas's famous Caesers Palace Hotel features among the many recognisable locations in the first of the blokey franchise

Iceland and Malta - both used to film the Game of Thrones completed the top ten.

Other locations to feature in the poll include Ko Phi Phi Leh, in Thailand - from The Beach (15), Notting Hill, in London, from the film of the same title (19) and even Marbella, Spain, after it has been featured in episodes of The Only Way is Essex (22).

Kings Cross station, in London, used in the Harry Potter films (16) also made it into the top 20, along with The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, in Los Angeles, (24) which features heavily in Pretty Woman.

Researchers also found films and TV shows aren't just affecting where we go on holiday though, as two thirds admit to spending time on their break catching up on the latest releases.

One in four even avoid watching certain films or TV box sets so they can 'save them' to watch while they are away.

And three in ten reckon they are now more likely to spend their time on holiday watching a film or TV show on their tablet or laptop than they are reading a book. 

FILM AND TV DESTINATIONS ADULTS MOST WANT TO VISIT 

1. New Zealand - Lord of the Rings

2. New York, USA - Sex and the City

3. The Causeway Coast and Glens, Northern Ireland - Game of Thrones

4. Las Vegas, USA - The Hangover 

5. West Bay, Dorset, UK - Broadchurch 

6. Alnwick Castle, N'thumberland - Harry Potter

7. Paris, France - Inception

8. Benidorm, Spain - Benidorm

9. Iceland - Game of Thrones

10. Malta - Game of Thrones

11. Skiathos, Greece - Mamma Mia!

12. Vatican City - Angels and Demon

13. Salzburg, Austria - The Sound of Music

14. Ripon, Yorkshire - Downton Abbey

15. Ko Phi Phi Leh, Thailand - The Beach  

16. Kings Cross Station, London - Harry Potter

17. Highclere Castle, Hampshire - Downton Abbey

18. Petra, Jordan - Indiana Jones

19. Notting Hill, UK - Notting Hill

20. Cardiff, UK - Doctor Who

21. Oregon, USA - The Twilight Saga

22. Marbella, Spain - The Only Way is Essex

23. Vancouver, Canada - Fifty Shades of Grey

24. The Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills, USA - Pretty Woman

25. Wells, Somerset, UK - Hot Fuzz

26. Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA - Jaws

27. Cambodia - Tomb Raider

28. Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria - Chitty, Chitty Bang, Bang

29. Philadelphia, USA - Rocky

30. Wexford, Ireland - Saving Private Ryan

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3134384/Boom-holidays-places-famous-TV-film-tourists-flocking-locations-Game-Thrones-Lord-Rings-Sex-City-Broadchurch.html#ixzz3e6uelbB1
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EXCLUSIVE - The dark secrets of Broadchurch 2 - Daily Mail

Daily Mail EXCLUSIVE - The dark secrets of Broadchurch 2: Writer of next year's most hotly anticipated TV sequel warns viewers to brace themselves for upset, shock... and the cheekiest cliffhanger yet 

• Broadchurch is set to return the nation's screens from January 5
• The feverishly anticipated drama is surrounded by a wall of secrecy
• Stars Olivia Colman and David Tennant are in the dark on how thriller ends 
• Several series endings have been filmed, shrouding finale in mystery 

By CHRIS HASTINGS FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

PUBLISHED: 22:11, 20 December 2014 | UPDATED: 00:07, 21 December 2014

It was the very definition of event TV, holding the nation rapt until its jaw-dropping climax when Olivia Colman’s police detective learned her husband was the killer. And now the second series of Broadchurch is set to grip us all over again.

The feverishly anticipated drama is surrounded by an unprecedented wall of secrecy – no one in the Press is being shown episodes beforehand, and even stars Colman and David Tennant are in the dark.

But after an exclusive interview with creator Chris Chibnall, The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the show starting on Monday, January 5, has even more heart-stopping twists than series one, which kept ten million viewers on tenterhooks as DS Ellie Miller (Colman) and DI Alec Hardy (Tennant) hunted the killer of 11-year-old Danny Latimer.

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The second series of Broadchurch will hit the nation's screens on January 5 and is set to grip us all over again

The feverishly anticipated drama is surrounded by an unprecedented wall of secrecy and even stars Olivia Colman and David Tennant are in the dark

David Tennant and Oliva Colman return for new series of...

Fans know Miller and Hardy will return and that Danny’s death still casts a shadow over the Dorset town. But ITV refuses to reveal more and trailers declaring, ‘Same town, new secrets’ only add to the mystery.

Chibnall said: ‘Brace yourself for upset and shock. My 11-year-old son has been begging me but I won’t let him watch series two. It’s too upsetting. It features the cheekiest cliffhanger yet – a real shocker.

‘I want people on the edge of their seats, gripped, and they will be. If you love these characters you will really, really want to watch every second.’ Here The Mail on Sunday presents an exclusive glimpse into the characters, locations and plots set to get us hooked a second time.

The new women 

Chibnall cast Charlotte Rampling after seeing her in a video installation by Oscar-winning director Steve McQueen. ‘She was so lively and mischievous but also tough and steely and I thought, that’s such a match for how I see this character.’

She plays Jocelyn Knight, who may have seen Danny arguing prior to his death. In one scene, she stands pensively near where he was found.

Rising star Phoebe Waller-Bridge (left) plays Abby Thompson, while Eve Myles (right), of Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, is cast as Claire Ripley

Oscar-nominated Marianne Jean-Baptiste (left) plays the pivotal role of Sharon Bishop, while Charlotte Rampling (right) plays Jocelyn Knight

Marianne Jean-Baptiste sprang to fame in 1996 drama Secrets & Lies, winning an Oscar nomination. Her casting is a coup, and her character, Sharon Bishop, is certain to have a pivotal role. Eve Myles, of Doctor Who spin-off Torchwood, is cast as Claire Ripley, and rising star Phoebe Waller-Bridge is Abby Thompson.

But the greatest mystery surrounds Meera Syal, who is making a dramatic departure from the comedies for which she is best known – such as Goodness Gracious Me and The Kumars At No 42. ITV is refusing to release any details about her.

The blue house 

A blue clapperboard chalet plays a key part in series two. Chibnall said: ‘That house holds lots – if not all – of the secrets . . . You will first see it in the first minute of episode one.’

The home is 200 yards from the beach where Danny’s body was found. But who owns it?

And just what dark deeds took place there?

A mysterious blue clapperboard chalet, 200 yards from the beach where Danny's body was found, plays a key part in series two

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that the show has even more heart-stopping twists than series one

The missing girls 

In the trailer, a tearful DS Miller (Colman) struggles to cope with her husband’s guilt. To make matters worse, she and Hardy are facing another abduction case, involving two girls. A desperate Hardy tells Miller: ‘I can’t do it on my own.’ And Miller demands of two unseen characters: ‘Where were you both the night those girls disappeared?’

Chibnall commented: ‘I wouldn’t have made Broadchurch 2 without David or Olivia.’

Heartbreak mother 

Danny's mother Beth (Jodie Whittaker) is expecting another child but Joe Miller’s trial forces her to relive her son’s death amid a media frenzy.

Chibnall said: ‘Jodie asked me around episode six of series one, “Am I a grieving mother or a secret killer crying crocodile tears?” I told her it wasn’t her, but only then.’

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Chris Chibnall filmed several endings and the cast signed gagging clauses to stop them giving anything away

Fans know Miller and Hardy will return and that Danny’s death still casts a shadow over the Dorset town

Tennant at the edge 

A distraught DI Hardy watches events in a graveyard – fuelling speculation that Danny’s body is exhumed for the trial. Chibnall said: ‘What I didn’t want to do is start with another dead body beneath the cliffs and two detectives going, “Oh my god it’s happened again. What are the chances?” But equally it’s a thriller, it needs to have twists, it has a propulsive engine of a plot.’

The bluebells 

DS Miller is seen clutching a card with bluebells on it, while in the trailer, a man stands in a field of the flowers. But what lies behind – or beneath – the superficially beautiful tableau? Devotees of Broadchurch know to expect the worst.

The killer ending 

Chibnall filmed several endings and the cast signed gagging clauses to stop them giving anything away. He said: ‘Even David Tennant is in the dark... He was both offended and pleased. That’s how I like to keep them. You make a show and keep the secrets as long as you can. It’s like releasing an animal into the wild.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2882161/Dark-secrets-Broadchurch-2-Writer-month-s-hotly-anticipated-sequel-warns-viewers-brace-upset-shock-cheekiest-cliffhanger-yet.html#ixzz3MWBz3B1Z
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