THE sense of community, which is paramount to the drama Broadchurch, is instantly recognisable to Jodie Whittaker.

“I can understand that close-knit community”, says the Skelmanthorpe-born actress.

“I left when I was 18 because all I wanted to do was work in the city but I do sense it when I go back to my parents; they know everyone in the pub and the shops,” explains Jodie.

“There is an opening scene where Mark (Andrew Buchan) is walking down the street saying ‘hello’ to everyone and that is exactly like my dad and if something like this happened in that community, you would see immediately how it affects people.

“It’s like a piece of glass shattering and all the cracks start appearing in this seemingly safe and family orientated community.

“As a child you are less aware of it but as a parent, you would look at Broadchurch or where I was from and you would hope it would be a safe and a wonderful place to have kids which is what’s devastating about this.”

The prospect of working on a truly ensemble drama was a major draw for Jodie.

She said: “I only got the first episode for the audition and I found that quite nerve-racking not knowing where it was going. In fact none of us knew who had done it, even the person who did it didn’t know, which is a really great thing to do because it keeps you anxious the whole way through.

“It keeps you guessing and makes you not trust any of the other characters; which you wouldn’t do in that environment.

“That first episode was heart-breaking to read but also you met so many interesting characters.

“When I came on board Olivia, David, Vicky and Andy were already attached. Every week, new names were signed to it which was really exciting to think you would be working with them on an ensemble piece.

“Not a lot of dramas are ensemble and there are about 20 of us.”

Talking about her character Beth Latimer’s journey through the series, Jodie says: “It’s quite an immediate thing for her because Danny’s body is found and then confirmed within the first 20 minutes of the first episode, so from there it is a huge emotional journey because of the shock and the upset. That never goes away because it’s a murder case and the family are just left in limbo waiting for answers.

“It’s a weird grieving process then and it’s as if the family have been halted in what they might want to be going through because they don’t actually know what or why it has happened.

“Apart from the very first two scenes in the whole thing, it is just completely grief ridden and devastating for Beth.

“But within that come different stages: anger, numbness and being completely broken.

“It’s quite a difficult role to play, particularly as we filmed from August to December. It’s a long time to sustain such emotion, but as the writing is so good you are immediately helped along the way.”

And working with co-star Andrew Buchan was a real bonus, explains Jodie.

“We were both in Cranford but never actually had any scenes together. I have known Andy for ages as we were in different drama schools but graduated the same year but is has been absolutely brilliant to work with him and he is just phenomenal in Broadchurch. As the dad in the Latimer family he is so emotional. One minute he has to be the rock, and the next he is so angry and just to watch the process he goes through makes it really easy for me in a scene as I never know how he is going to do it, which is life; it’s real.

“It’s been a long slog as there has been a kind of responsibility not to glorify this or make it popcorn – this happens all the time and you just have to think ‘this could be someone’s life’ and we are doing this for television.

“The commitment of everyone involved has been amazing to be around.”

She talked of the emotion of filming the first episode. She said it was difficult for everyone the day they filmed finding Danny’s body, especially as it was filmed on a public beach.

How was filming on location in the West Country? Says Jodie: “I think Bristol’s an amazing city – so much filming goes on here so it’s completely catered for. And I have really enjoyed filming around Bridport even though the weather really battered everyone towards the end.

“I think this part of the country is beautiful, especially being down by the coast. The first time I went down there it was still warm enough to go swimming, and the Jurassic coastline is absolutely perfect.

“And I always enjoy filming on location as there is that feeling that you can be in it the whole time; you are staying away, you don’t have to deal with normal life when you get home from work so it’s been a great experience”.

HUDDERSFIELD actress Jodie Whittaker is just one of the big names lined up for a new drama.

The actress will be working with the likes of David Tennant, Olivia Colman, Andrew Buchan, Vicky McClure, Pauline Quirke and Arthur Darvill on Broadchurch, which begins next month.

It means a welcome return to TV for the Skelmanthorpe-born actress, who first rose to fame starring in the film Venus opposite Peter O’Toole.

She has appeared in other films including the cult classic Attack The Block and Perrier’s Bounty, and has numerous TV credits including Cranwell, Tess of the D’Urbervilles and Marchlands.

She is a former student of the Guildhall School of Drama.

Broadchurch is written and created by Chris Chibnall, the man behind United and Law and Order: UK, and explores what happens to a small community in Dorset when it suddenly becomes the focus of a police investigation, following the tragic and mysterious death of an 11-year-old boy under the glare of the media spotlight.

The sadness of losing a child consumes the family, Beth and Mark Latimer (Jodie Whittaker and Andrew Buchan), their daughter 15-year-old Chloe (Charlotte Beaumont) and Beth’s mum Liz (Susan Brown) as they attempt to cope with their grief, everyday normal life and the abruptness of the unwarranted attention heaped upon them.

Former Dr Who star David Tennant takes the role of DI Alec Hardy, an out-of-town, newly-promoted police detective who takes the job local girl DS Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman) believes should have been hers.

Kudos Film and Television is the company which produced previous hit shows including Spooks, Hustle, Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes.