'Doctor Who' star signs up for Fox's 'Broadchurch' remake

Fox has cast David Tennant to reprise his role in the US remake of Broadchurch. The Scottish star, most famous for his portrayal of the Doctor in Doctor Who, has signed up for the eight-episode series, which will debut next year on Fox. The original UK version of Broadchurch starred Tennant as Detective Inspector Alec Hardy, a tortured divorcé struggling with illness that investigates the death of a boy in a quiet seaside town. The show was extremely popular in the UK, and has been renewed for a second season. Although Tennant played the male lead in the UK series, it was his co-star Olivia Colman who gained the most plaudits. As Colman is a relatively unknown figure outside the US, however, Fox may opt to have an American actress fill her shoes for the remake. Production of the new series is slated to begin in January, with the premiere episode set to be written by the UK show's creator and writer Chris Chibnall, who will also be executive producer of the entire season. It hasn't been decided if the show will be renamed for US audiences. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Chibnall says he's "fascinated to see this story in a different landscape," adding that "the DNA of the original is absolutely intact... it should still feel just as vibrant, interesting, strange, unique, and beautiful, but just in a different setting."