Fox's remake of the huge British cop drama "Broadchurch" is curious, not least because the original version, which aired on ITV in the UK also aired rather successfully for American audiences on BBC America. So why bother remaking it?
David Tennant, who is the lead in both editions, told Variety: "I thought doing the British show was such an extraordinary experience and when it broadcast, it created such a stir," he said.
"So, I thought 'Well, I'm not going to miss out on the chance to tell this story to a whole new audience that hadn't heard it yet.'"
Adding: "It's not just repeating the same."
"Gracepoint" did, however, have the same writer, director, and leading man as "Broadchurch" – although former "Doctor Who" actor Tennant does adopt a fleeting Californian accent for the remake.
The two shows are nearly identical, not only in characters but also dialogue. The pilot episode of "Gracepoint" – which is set in California instead of the British South Coast, is practically a shot-for-shot recreation of "Broadchurch's" first episode. Although there is one key ingredient missing: Oscar-winning actor Olivia Colman.
Coleman's role as Detective Ellie Miller was handed to Anna Gunn ("Breaking Bad"). The switch was likely an attempt to appeal to American audiences, but "Gracepoint" failed to charm and was abandoned by Fox after one season while "Broadchurch" continued to air for two more seasons in both the UK and US.