ITV just confirmed:
http://renewcanceltv.com/broadchurch-officially-cancelled-no-season-4/
Probably just as well. The quality had fallen off after season 1.
The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.–J.B. Haldane
That's pretty misleading, Chris Chibnall said from day one that he'd always planned Broadchurch as a trilogy, a single story told over three series. There was never any possibility of a fourth series because that is how the story was designed. It wasn't "cancelled" it's come to what was always planned as the end. ITV would love to do more, I'm sure.
shareWell, based on popularity, such series are sometimes extended to take advantage of that popularity. That way they can keep going until they seem to run out of steam. E.g., Fargo.
The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.–J.B. Haldane
Well, based on popularity, such series are sometimes extended to take advantage of that popularity. That way they can keep going until they seem to run out of steam. E.g., Fargo.
I'm just saying that they can always continue a series if it's popular enough by having more cases/adventures for the existing characters, or having a related spin-off (e.g., Breaking Bad -> Better Call Saul). Creatively that's certainly doable. But the producers apparently didn't want to extend it, probably because it was no longer as popular as it had been at first, or they were just getting tired of it and wanted to move on to other projects.
The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.–J.B. Haldane
That is simply not true. The creator/showrunner/sole writer (who I've known for years) worked on the idea for Broadchurch for a decade before it got on air, and always, always intended it to be a single three-part story. When he first pitched it to ITV he was upfront about saying "but this can only run for three series maximum."
Creatively that's certainly doable.
But the producers apparently didn't want to extend it, probably because it was no longer as popular as it had been at first, or they were just getting tired of it and wanted to move on to other projects.
The series did suffer a gradual ratings decline. But if it was never intended to run beyond three seasons, then maybe you should contact the editor and get them to issue an update/retraction. Maybe they would.
The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine.–J.B. Haldane
What "editor"? You mean the person who runs the site you linked to?
I did leave a comment on their site, but I'm not especially invested in what some random fansite says.
Literally nothing in the statement they've quoted says that Broadchurch was cancelled, only that series 3 will be the final chapter, which is what everyone involved with the show has been saying since day one.
Hypothetically yes, if you're a money-grabber who's willing to compromise your creative integrity and throw an idea you've planned for a decade out of the window.
Well, I think I know more about it having worked closely with Chris and discussed it with him, than Americans making assumptions about British TV. But I'm not interested in arguing with people because I'm obviously not going to change your mind. If you don't believe Chris there's no reason you'd believe me.
shareTo be fair Chris made a true masterpiece with Season 1 but the courtroom drama of Season 2 didn't work for almost anyone
Do you know if he's going back to that fantastic character driven writing for Season 3?
Guys, Broadchurch season 1 is a work of art
I agree that season 2 isn't as good, but it's still quite good in its own right
It only falls when you compare it to season 1
You can't compare the way American TV shows get spin offs to a European show
God knows I think Breaking Bad is the greatest thing that ever happened to storytelling and I'm a Better Call Saul addict
But they're different beasts
In the US there is a much better understanding of how to make art and product work together
Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul are the best example in TV
In Europe we just don't have that
We have a work of art like Broadchurch, and the made-for-money dumb product like Emerdale
You can't expect a European TV show that's serious like Broadchurch to be worked out in spin off, new adventures for the same characters and all that craziness that was mentioned in these posts
They're different beasts, different cultures and different creative processes
OK?
Some of us appreciate the information, thank you!
share...Chris Chibnall said from day one that he'd always planned Broadchurch as a trilogy, a single story told over three series. There was never any possibility of a fourth series because that is how the story was designed. It wasn't "cancelled" it's come to what was always planned as the end.In addition, the BBC announced in January that Chibnall would succeed Steven Moffat as the showrunner of Doctor Who. I should think that the transition was in fact agreed upon well before the announcement.