The Ultimate Crossover: Jodie Whittaker and Doctor Who Stars Unite in Broadchurch
Discover the Doctor Who cast members who made appearances in the popular series Broadchurch From Jodie Whittaker to David Tennant, Olivia Colman, and more, explore their roles in this intriguing crossover
Summary
Broadchurch was a critically acclaimed crime drama with strong writing and performances, consistently delivering across its three seasons.
Broadchurch boasts an impressive ensemble, drawing from Doctor Who's stellar lineup to showcase top-notch talent in almost every role. Standout performances by Jodie Whittaker, David Tennant, Olivia Colman, and Arthur Darvill further solidify the notable Doctor Who connections within the series.
Jodie Whitaker, known for her role as the Doctor, first gained recognition on the popular crime drama Broadchurch. She was not the only cast member from Doctor Who to appear on the show. Set in a quiet town, Broadchurch premiered in 2013 and follows detectives tasked with investigating disturbing crimes that disrupt the Dorset community. The show stood out from other crime dramas with its exceptional writing and strong performances across its three seasons, consisting of a crime solved per season. Despite its relatively short-lived run of 24 episodes, Broadchurch consistently delivered high-quality content.
Broadchurch quickly became a hit with both fans and critics, who praised its captivating cinematography and impressive acting, as reported by Rotten Tomatoes. The show's standout characters were emotionally complex and added depth to the gripping stories, highlighting their struggles as equally important as the gruesome cases being solved. Interestingly, Chris Chibnall, the creator of Broadchurch, also served as the showrunner for Doctor Who. As a result, the two series shared many talented actors in various roles. Although it is common for British shows to feature familiar faces, Chibnall's involvement ensured that both shows attracted the best talent in every position.
Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor) - Beth Latimer
Instantly recognized for her role as the Doctor on Doctor Who, Whittaker initially gained fame for her portrayal of Beth Latimer on Broadchurch. In the series, Beth Latimer was the mother of Danny Latimer, the young boy whose murder served as the catalyst for the unfolding events. Additionally, she shared a close friendship with DS Ellie Miller. Throughout the show's three seasons, Whittaker's character remained a constant presence and her storyline captivated viewers.
David Tennant (The Doctor) - DI Alec Hardy
In addition to Jodie Whittaker, there is another Broadchurch cast member who has portrayed a Time Lord. David Tennant, widely known for his portrayal as the 10th Doctor on Doctor Who, is also part of the Broadchurch ensemble. Tennant played the role of DI Alec Hardy, a seasoned detective brought in to investigate the murder of Danny Latimer. Despite his somewhat gloomy and distant demeanor, Alec Hardy's occasional social awkwardness only added to his charm as a law enforcement officer. Throughout the three-season storyline, his partnership and professional rapport with DS Ellie Miller helped him break out of his shell to some extent.
Olivia Colman (Mother) - DS Ellie Miller
Eve Myles (Gwen Cooper/Gwyneth) - Claire Ripley
Olivia Colman made a brief appearance in Doctor Who as the fearsome Mother in the episode "The Eleventh Hour", where she faced off against her future Broadchurch co-star David Tennant, who portrayed the Doctor at the time. Despite having a minor role in Doctor Who, this prominent British actress truly stole the spotlight in Broadchurch as DS Ellie Miller. Alongside DI Hardy, Ellie meticulously investigated various crimes, showcasing her innate warmth and openness, despite the series' events casting a shadow on her character. Thanks to her unique perspective, Ellie was able to shed light on the cases in a way that Hardy's strictly conventional approach could not accommodate.
Eve Myles made her mark in the world of Doctor Who as Gwyneth, a devoted servant, featured in the episode "The Unquiet Dead". Nonetheless, her portrayal of Gwen Cooper, the central character in the Torchwood spinoff series, has undoubtedly garnered her the greatest recognition within the Whoniverse. Interestingly, in Broadchurch, Myles took on the role of the villainous Claire Ripley, the wife of Lee Ashworth, who becomes the prime suspect in DI Hardy's investigation of the kidnapping and murder case during the second season. Throughout the season, Ripley's ever-changing narrative gradually exposes her true identity as the culprit behind these gruesome crimes.
Adjoa Andoh (Francine Jones/Sister Jatt) - Julie
Though Adjoa Andoh also portrayed Sister Jatt in a one-off appearance on the Doctor Who episode "The New Earth", she gained significant recognition for her recurring role as Francine Jones during the tenure of the 10th Doctor. Andoh is best known for her portrayal of Lady Danbury in the main cast of Bridgerton, and she also made a notable appearance as psychotherapist Julie in season 2, episode 1 of Broadchurch.
David Bradley (The First Doctor) - Jack Marshall
Due to his uncanny resemblance to William Hartnell, the actor who portrayed the First Doctor, David Bradley was selected to portray the iconic Time Lord in several episodes of Doctor Who. Additionally, he took on the role of Jack Marshall, a persecuted shopkeeper and the prime suspect in the murder of Danny Latimer, in the widely acclaimed series Broadchurch. Although his character only appeared in the first season, Bradley's portrayal was nothing short of extraordinary.
Arthur Darvill (Rory Williams) - Rev. Paul Coates
Tracey Childs (Metella) - CS Elaine Jenkinson
Arthur Darvill is most famously known among Doctor Who enthusiasts as Rory Williams, the boyfriend of Amy Pond, who accompanies her on her escapades with the Eleventh Doctor. In a departure from his usual roles, Darvill took on the character of Reverend Paul Coates in Broadchurch, the town's local vicar whom DI Hardy initially suspects to be the murderer of Danny Latimer. Coates possesses a secretive past that allowed Darvill ample room for creative exploration as the character evolved throughout the show's three seasons.
Tracey Childs made a memorable appearance as Metella in "The Fires of Pompeii," a single episode of Doctor Who. However, she showcased her versatility in Broadchurch, where she portrayed CS Elaine Jenkinson, the superior officer to DI Hardy and DS Miller, across all three seasons. Jenkinson, skeptical of Miller's competence as a detective, promotes Hardy, leading to tension among the police force in Broadchurch.
Meera Syal (Dr. Nasreen Chaudhry) - Judge Sonia Sharma
Making her lone Doctor Who appearance in the episode "The Hungry Earth", Meera Syal portrayed the character of Dr. Nasreen Chaudhry, a geologist. Dr. Chaudhry collaborates with the Doctor in this particular episode. Furthermore, Syal also had a notable role in Broadchurch, where she appeared in multiple episodes throughout season 2. In this series, she played the character of Judge Sonia Sharma, who becomes responsible for overseeing the trial of Joe Miller following the events of the first season and his subsequent arrest.
Peter De Jersey (Androgar) - SOCO Brian Young
Peter De Jersey made a significant impact with his portrayal of Androgar, the Time Lord liaison, in the 50th anniversary special of Doctor Who, titled The Day of the Doctor. Throughout the course of Broadchurch, De Jersey made occasional appearances, captivating audiences as SOCO Brian Young, a meticulous forensics analyst. Often working behind the scenes, Brian played a crucial role in the investigation process. His infatuation with Ellie Miller was evident, but their paths never fully aligned, resulting in a missed opportunity for them to be together.
Jonathan Bailey (Psi) - Olly Stevens
Julie Hesmondhalgh (Judy Maddox) - Trish Winterman
Jonathan Bailey made his mark on the Doctor Who series in the episode "Time Heist" as the character Psi, enhancing the brilliance of one of Peter Capaldi's finest moments as the Doctor. Prior to this, Bailey also showcased his talent in Broadchurch, where he portrayed the ambitious journalist Olly Stevens, who becomes entangled in a gripping case during the show's first season. While Stevens' unwavering dedication to his craft was admired by many, there were those who believed that his eagerness to secure a story overshadowed the human aspect of the situation.
In the Doctor Who episode "Kerblam!", Julie Hesmondhalgh took on the role of Judy Maddox, a dubious human resources officer, and embraced the opportunity to portray a more sinister character. However, in Broadchurch's season 3, Hesmondhalgh was given a completely different challenge as she portrayed Trish Winterman, a victim of a brutal assault. Trish's character development takes center stage, running parallel to the relentless investigation conducted by Hardy and Miller in Broadchurch.
Jacob Anderson (Vinder) - Dean Thomas
Sarah Parish (Empress Of Racnoss) - Cath Atwood
Jacob Anderson entered the Whoniverse realm in the role of Vinder while Jodie Whittaker held the position of the Doctor, portraying a pilot and guardian believed by some to be a Time Lord. Notably, Anderson previously appeared during the inaugural season of Broadchurch as Dean Thomas, the boyfriend of Chloe Latimer who offered support during her mourning period following the tragic loss of her younger sibling, Danny.
Sarah Parish's appearance in Doctor Who may have been brief, but her portrayal of the nightmarish Empress of Racnoss in "The Runaway Bride" caused a major fright for those with arachnophobia. Thankfully, in Broadchurch, Parish took on a less extraterrestrial role as Cath Atwood in the third season. Cath serves as the close friend of Trish Winterman, but their bond is severely tested when Cath discovers that Trish has been involved in an affair with her husband, Jim.
Mariah Gale (Eliza) - Caroline Hughes
In one of the most unsettling instances from Peter Capaldi's time as the Doctor, Mariah Gale made an appearance in the "Knock Knock" episode, portraying Eliza—a woman whose existence was preserved within timber. Exuding considerably more vitality in Broadchurch, Gale assumed the role of Caroline Hughes in season 3, episode 2, acting as the CEO of the media conglomerate that possesses The Broadchurch Echo—the local newspaper responsible for reporting on the unfolding events.
Richard Hope (Malohkeh) - Arthur Tamworth
In Doctor Who, Richard Hope made a special appearance as Malohkeh, a Silurian scientist in the episode titled "The Hungry Earth." Malohkeh faces alienation within his community due to his unusual fascination with humans. On the other hand, in Broadchurch, Hope reappears intermittently throughout the third season as Arthur Tamworth, the owner of Axehampton House, the location where Trish Winterman was attacked. Tamworth exerts pressure on the police to swiftly apprehend the perpetrator, as he fears the detrimental consequences it may have on his public image.
Sebastian Armesto (Broff) - Clive Lucas
Broff, portrayed by Sebastian Armesto, was among the unfortunate individuals compelled to participate in The Weakest Link game on the Game Station in the Doctor Who episode "Bad Wolf". In the television series Broadchurch, Armesto also played Clive Lucas, a taxi driver accused of assaulting Trish Winterman. Despite being proven innocent, Clive's deceitful nature and close ties to the true culprit raised significant suspicions.
