'Broadchurch' Season 3 Air Date & News: David Tennant and Olivia Colman Return For A Sexual Assault Case

The cop drama created by Chris Chibnall, "Broadchurch," is returning for a third and final season. Another sensational crime has taken place in this sleepy seaside town and it involves a serious sexual assault.

David Tennant and Olivia Colman, who play detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller, are back to solve the new case with one of the new cast members among Lenny Henry, Julie Hesmondhalgh, Sarah Parish and Charlie Higson as the likely culprit. But old timers Arthur Darvill, Carolyn Pickles, Jodie Whittaker, Andrew Buchan and Adam Wilson are also reprising their roles.

Filming for "Broadchurch" Season 3 took place in Dorset over the summer. "Doctor Who" star Arthur Darvill, who plays the reverend in the show, promises fans that the final season will have a similar tone as the first season.

"I think this series has more of the feel of the first series," he told Digital Spy. He describes the new case as a "really heavy" subject matter.

"We have one last story to tell, featuring both familiar faces and new characters," Chris Chibnall said, according to Radio Times. "I hope it's a compelling and emotional farewell to a world and show that means so much to me." The network has confirmed that the show will no longer have a follow up after Season 3 as Chris Chibnall will be tied to "Doctor Who" for 2017.

Series 3 started filming today. Here are the lovely Olivia and David on set and ready to go:#Broadchurch pic.twitter.com/h4tiSuaOvp

— Broadchurch (@BroadchurchTV) May 23, 2016

"Broadchurch" first aired in 2013 and became an instant hit. Detectives Alec Hardy and Ellie Miller investigated the case of a child's disappearance, Danny Latimer, whom authorities eventually found murdered.

The big twist of "Broadchurch" saw Ellie Miller's husband Joe as the killer and the second season focused on his trial. According to Wales Online, Danny Latimer's case will still have its shadow looming over Season 3.

"Broadchurch" Season 3 is expected to hit the small screen in early 2017 first on ITV in the U.K. The show will also be broadcast on BBC America for U.S. viewers.

"Broadchurch" was such a critical success that it was adapted for American television via Fox's "Gracepoint" in 2014. Chris Chibnall and David Tennant were also part of the American production, which become a one-off limited series.