via |
Gracepoint is the new 10 part FOX remake of the ITV series Broadchurch. It will follow the same story with similar characters, but a different ending has been written.
The story follows Detective Ellie Miller, a happily married wife and mother who is looking forward to a promised promotion. But when the job goes to an outsider (David Tennant's DI Alec Hardy), Ellie is disgruntled. Her disappointment quickly fades in light of the tragic discovery of a young boys body. Ellie must work her very first murder case with her prickly new partner. As the case progresses and the local community is ripped apart by the nationwide media frenzy, secrets emerge and Ellie is forced to look at her hometown, and those she cares about, very differently.
Chris Chibnall is writing the first episode, and he's also on board as an Executive Producer. The 5 month filming schedule began last week with most of the main cast in place and on set.
David Tennant is playing Detective Emmett Carver, an American-version of his original Broadchurch character DI Alec Hardy. Stepping into Olivia Colman's shoes is Breaking Bad's Anna Gunn as Detective Ellie Miller. Nick Nolte will be playing Jack Reinhold, a stubborn and unmarried man who runs the kayak rental shop on the beach as well as the local wildfire observation program, where the murdered boy at the center of the story was a volunteer. This character is based on the one played by David Bradley in the original British version.
Other main casting includes; Jack Irvine in the role of Tom Miller, best friends with the murdered boy and the son of Detective Ellie and Joe Miller. Australian actress Jacki Weaver will be playing Susan Wright. Kevin Zegers is cast as the local reporter, and Ellie's Nephew, Owen Burke, and another ex-Breaking Bad alum, Kevin Rankin is portraying Rev. Paul Coates. Here he is in some fan shot footage during the recording of his first scenes...
The names rounding out the current announced cast are; Virginia Kull as the murdered boys Mother Beth Lasseter, Michaal Pena as his Father Mark Lassiter, Josh Hamilton as Ellie's Husband Joe Miller, Madalyn Horcher as Chloe Lasseter, Kendrick Sampson as Dean Iverson, Stephen Louis Grush as Vince Novik and Jessica Lucas as Renee Clemon.
Interestingly, although the characters above are the official casting announcements it seems that the family of the murdered boy have had a last minute change of name. Instead of Lassiter it seems that the production is using the surname Solano. The excellent gracepointseries.com published a good picture of Kevin Rankin walking past the front of The Gracepoint Journal offices, in the window a poster clearly reads "Danny Solano condolence book inside".
via |
It's not just the Gracepoint Journal offices, many other areas of Oak Bay have been transformed into the fictional coastal town of Gracepoint. The local Oak Bay Bistro has been converted into the Crestview Rooms & Pub for the production. I would assume this is where David Tennant's character will be staying.
David Tennant and Anna Gunn recorded their first external scenes on Friday January 31st. We have lots more images here.
The show is set to air on FOX this Summer, no UK broadcaster has announced plans to air it as yet but we would think it's likely to be on our screens.
What does this mean for David's character on Broadchurch? Well if you were hoping for him to return then it's possibly not good news. Commitments to Gracepoint will likely hinder his involvement in any UK filming for the next 5 months. If series 2 of Broadchurch is to air on ITV this Summer then production will have to begin soon.
We will keep you up to date on any Gracepoint news as we get it.
Are you looking forward to Gracepoint?
Got something to say on Doctor Who, Star Wars, Game Of Thrones
or anything in the wide world of geek?
or anything in the wide world of geek?
Want to be a guest contributor for Warped Factor?
Well we want you!
See our Geeks Wanted page for more details.