Julie Hesmondhalgh is to join the final series of ‘Broadchurch’.
The former ‘Coronation Street’ actress – who was known for portraying factory worker Hayley Cropper until her tragic death two years ago in the long-running soap – is set to rub shoulders with David Tennant and Olivia Colman as they reprise their roles as DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller respectively for the final installment of the popular crime drama.
Writer Chris Chibnall said: "This is the final chapter of ‘Broadchurch’. We have one last story to tell, featuring both familiar faces and new characters. I hope it’s a compelling and emotional farewell to a show that means so much to me."
Georgina Campbell, Sarah Parish, Charlie Higson and Mark Bazeley are also set to join the eight-part series, but their roles are being kept under wraps for the time being.
But the show won’t just feature new faces as Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan are returning to play Beth and Mark Latimer, Arthur Darvill will reprise his role as local Vicar Paul Coates, Carolyn Pickles as newspaper editor Maggie Radcliffe and Adam Wilson completes the line-up as Ellie’s son Tom.
The forthcoming series will see the gritty detective duo – Miller and Hardy – reunite to investigate a serious sexual assault.
Filming for the third series of ‘Broadchurch’, which first hit screens in 2013, will kick off this summer in the Dorset towns of Bridport, West Bay and Clevedon.