Out-of-town DI Alec Hardy investigates the death of an 11-year-old boy in a seaside community, aided by local girl DS Ellie Miller,The child's parent and other residents of Broadchurch try to cope with the media frenzy surrounding the case.
The mystery around Danny's death deepens, The Latimer family struggles to cope with their grief, and the Rev Paul Coates decides to speak to the local media.
Crime scene fingerprints lead DI Hardy and DS Miller to a shocking suspect in Danny's murder. Steve Connelly approaches Beth claiming to have a message from her dead son.
A local journalist uncovers a new suspect. Beth and Mark try to get more national press coverage of their son's death. Hardy goes for dinner with Miller and her husband.
Miller realises the evidence Jack handed over does not tally with her knowledge of Danny's possessions, Jack the newsagent's gets unfair press treatment.
The case is stalling and morale is low. At the Broadchurch Echo, Maggie grows determined to solve a mystery that has taken a very personal turn for her.
Following recent events, Miller is more isolated than ever before as she tries to find out what happened at the clifftop hut. Meanwhile, the police are circling Susan as Nige grows increasingly desperate for her to leave Broadchurch.
The townspeople struggle to come to terms with recent events, and shock waves reverberate through Broadchurch. What will the impact be on the Latimers? Meanwhile, Paul continues his secret meetings and Hardy must face a figure from his past.
Hardy faces a race against time as Ellie discovers a startling new piece of evidence, forcing them to reassess their suspicions. Meanwhile, with DS Miller coming under intense pressure from all sides, life for Mark and Beth is about to change for ever.
Trish returns to the scene of the crime in the hope it will prompt her to remember something more about the attack, while DC Katie Harford thinks she has a strong lead when she discovers a new suspect who doesn't have an alibi. Cath reveals interesting new information about the night of her party, while a match is made for the male DNA found on Trish. An unknown woman walks into the police station.
Important pieces of evidence come to light against all the key suspects in the case – Ellie and Hardy can feel the vice tightening and know that soon, the case will crack open...
