TCA: Fox to Produce American Version of U.K.’s ‘Broadchurch’

The adaptation of the British crime drama series is set to air during the 2014-2015 season

Fox is relocating "Broadchurch" to the United States.

The network announced that it will adapt the British crime drama for American audiences as a limited series set to air during its 2014-2015 season.

It will co-produce the series with Shine America with the U.K. show's creator, Chris Chibnall (“Doctor Who,” “Camelot”) as executive producer. It will begin filming in January.

Fox is referring to "Broadchurch" as the production's working title, so it may change the series title to an American town.

ITV's original series "Broadchurch" debuts on this side of the pond on BBC America next Wednesday. It stars "Doctor Who's" David Tennant, who plays a detective investigating the killing of a young boy. Olivia Colmon plays his colleague. It also stars another former "Doctor Who" star Arthur Darvill, who plays the town reverend.

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Aired earlier this year in the U.K., 10 million viewers watched the season finale.

“'Broadchurch' is the kind of storytelling that grabs your attention and keeps you riveted with every minute — which is exactly what we look for in an event series,” said Fox's entertainment chairman Kevin Reilly.

“We love the layered characters, we’ve seen how well-received it’s been in the U.K., and we’re lucky to be able to bring a new version of this mystery to the U.S. audience.”

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Fox's version also will surround the investigation of the tragic and mysterious death of a young boy. Set in an American seaside town, the news of the death causes a nationwide frenzy. 

Chibnall will write the premiere episode and executive-produce the series with Shine America’s Carolyn Bernstein (“The Bridge”) and Jane Featherstone (“The Hour,” “Utopia”) from drama producers Kudos. The series will be distributed by Shine International.

"Broadchurch" is the third limited series to be announced by Fox. It previously gave limited series orders to "24: Live Another Day" and M. Night Shyamalan's "Wayward Pines."

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