How good is the new British import “Broadchurch” (BBC America, 10 p.m.)?
Fox has already announced it would make its own version of the absorbing and heartbreaking series even before the eight episodes, hugely popular in the UK, begin casting their spell on American audiences.
David Tennant, the former “Doctor Who,” plays a troubled and newly installed police detective in a sleepy seaside town where a horrible tragedy has occurred. A humane officer who would have had that lead detective job throws aside her distaste for him to help investigate. She’s played by Olivia Colman, who was so great as Hugh Bonneville’s lovesick secretary on last summer’s comedy “2012.”
Almost as effective is Jodie Whittaker, just right in her role as a shocked mother, one of many whose stories will be slowly unveiled, including a local reporter itching for a bigger job who decides to tweet the news, getting attention of a big city journalist who invades the town and begins her reckless approach to a scoop.
The initial episode expertly sets up place, character and the essential mystery that will permeate the series. At its end, an apocalyptic one many have said, the main mystery will be why Fox thinks it can do the series any better.
The first episode is available free online for a time here.