Stellar new cast announcements for Broadchurch

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Marianne Jean-Baptiste, James D'Arcy, Eve Myles and Phoebe Waller-Bridge will join the cast of multi-award winning Broadchurch for the new series, broadcaster ITV, and production companies Kudos and Imaginary Friends confirmed today.

Academy Award, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated Marianne, who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, will play a leading role in the new series. Acclaimed for her television and film roles including Without A Trace, Private Practice and The Murder of Stephen Lawrence, Marianne will begin filming for the new series shortly.

"Were over the moon to have wooed Marianne back from Los Angeles to join us in Broadchurch, said creator and writer Chris Chibnall in the week when the drama achieved a hat trick of BAFTA Awards for the programme, and stars Olivia Colman and David Bradley.

Marianne is one of Britains finest actresses, so its an honour and a coup for us. It's a role written specifically for her and I wouldve wept for months if shed turned us down. Luckily she didnt and her character is going to make an indelible impact on the world of Broadchurch."

Also joining the cast in a key role is acclaimed film and television actor James D'Arcy, who is known for his roles in Cloud Atlas, Hitchcock and The Making of a Lady. Renowned for his successful film and television career in the UK and US, James took the lead role in the American drama Those Who Kill.

James extraordinary recent work in movies such as Cloud Atlas and opposite Anthony Hopkins in Hitchcock makes him another thrilling and important addition to the Broadchurch cast, said Jane Featherstone, Chief Executive of Kudos and Broadchurch Executive Producer. Its never easy to tempt actors back from Hollywood, and we feel privileged that James is joining us as a key part of our new story, added Jane.

Leading television actress Eve Myles (Torchwood, Little Dorrit, Frankie) will also play a central role in the new series. Eve's career includes an impressive range of roles in dramas including You, Me & Them, Merlin and Doctor Who.

Rising star Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Bad Education, Blandings, The Caf ) also joins the production when filming begins later this month. Phoebe wrote and performed in the Olivier nominated show Fleabag, which also won the 2014 Critic's Circle Award. As with all the new additions, details of her character will remain under wraps for now.

"As if we didnt have enough fabulous actresses, its a thrill to be joined by Wales finest, Eve Myles. Having worked together on Torchwood, its a joy to be able to welcome her to Broadchurch. And anyone whos seen Phoebe Waller-Bridge perform knows shes already on the way to being a superstar. Were lucky to have them both on board," added Chris Chibnall.

The new additions to the hugely successful ensemble cast will star alongside David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Jodie Whittaker, Andrew Buchan, Arthur Darvill and Charlotte Rampling as the drama continues to intrigue.

TV's Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea have commissioned the new series.

We're delighted with the stellar cast assembled for the new series of Broadchurch, said Steve. There's a real sense of heightened anticipation about what's to come, although we're desperate to protect the secrets of Broadchurch to avoid spoiling what happens next for the viewers, he added.

Chris Chibnall has confirmed the news series will return to the Dorset and North Somerset locations, which have become intrinsically linked with Broadchurch.

"Were finally able to talk a little about preparations for the next series of Broadchurch and confirm were coming back to film around West Bay and Clevedon, said Chris.

Were all thrilled about returning, especially given how supportive the whole community was last time. And if the community are able to keep our secrets as well as they did last time, well be ever so grateful," added Chris.

Broadchurch will be executive produced by Chris Chibnall (The Great Train Robbery, Torchwood) for Imaginary Friends and Jane Featherstone (Utopia, The Hour, Spooks) on behalf of Kudos, a Shine Group company. The Producer is Richard Stokes (Silk, Law & Order: UK) who also produced the first series. James Strong, who directed 5 episodes of the first series including episode one, will be directing episodes one and two of this new series.

Note to Editors:

The first series of Broadchurch will be shown on ITV Encore at launch, stripped across its first week on air. ITV Encore is ITVs first new channel in eight years and launches on SKY Channel 123 on 9 June 2014. The channel will be dedicated to celebrating the best of contemporary British ITV drama, and will be home to some of ITVs most successful series of recent years.

LINK:	http://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/stellar-new-cast-announc...
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