9 Years Later, David Tennant's Thriller Masterpiece Still Has the Greatest Detective Duo

The greatest modern thriller series tend to strike a careful balance, leaning into the formulaic nature of the category while also infusing details that help them stand out. By embracing the familiar, they attract genre regulars — but clever twists and extra depth ensure there are still surprises in store. David Tennant’s masterpiece crime thriller gets that juggling act right. And believe it or not, it’s one of the more commonly used tropes that makes the series tick.

Broadchurch sets itself apart with its deep, character-centric writing — in some ways, it’s more drama than thriller — and an extended focus that captures the domino effect of a shocking small-town murder. Yet it also capitalizes on recognizable thriller tropes, whether it’s the moody small-town backdrop or the unlikely detective duo driving the story. The latter dynamic is brought to life by Tennant and co-star Olivia Colman. Even nine years after Broadchurch‘s 2017 conclusion, it still stands out as the best team-up TV thrillers have to offer.

‘Broadchurch’ Still Has One of the Best Detective Duos on TV

Broadchurch made its debut in 2013, delivering a near-perfect first season of television, during which Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Colman) and Detective Inspector Alec Hardy (Tennant) work together to solve the murder of an 11-year-old boy. It’s a shocking case, as it shatters the illusion that the titular town is a tight-knit, peaceful community. It also forces Ellie and Alec to overcome their reservations about one another — not an easy thing to do after Alec gets the job that Ellie is vying for.

Thus begins an awkward investigation, made worse by the fact that the two characters have very little in common. That includes their approaches to work, as Alec tends to lead with logic, while Ellie leans into compassion. That sums up their personalities on a broader level, too, and both are grappling with trauma on top of it. It makes for many tense interactions between them, but it also leads to a more satisfying resolution when they do finally come around to one another.

Although pushing two opposing personalities together is the norm for many detective duos, few of them feel as earned as Broadchurch‘s central pair. And while Broadchurch Seasons 2 and 3 don’t quite reach the heights of the first outing, they continue to capitalize on the foundation laid in Season 1. By the time the series ends, we’re thoroughly sold on and invested in Ellie and Alec’s dynamic. It helps that Tennant and Colman have so much on-screen chemistry, which makes the personal connection and professional relationship between their characters immensely compelling.

The pair are undoubtedly among TV’s best detective duos, especially in the thriller category, though calling them the greatest might be a harder sell. Rust and Marty from True Detective Season 1 immediately come to mind, and they have some important things in common with Broadchurch‘s leads — namely, that they’re opposites who are able to grow from working together. However, their bond faces a lot more friction than Alec and Ellie’s, and for me, watching the ways Broadchurch‘s leads build trust is ultimately more satisfying.

‘Broadchurch’ Highlights a Truth About Successful Thrillers

If nothing else, Broadchurch‘s powerful partnership is a reminder of one thriller truth: that the dynamics at the center of a series can make or break it. While the main mystery must be able to hook audiences, it’s usually the characters who convince them to keep plunging forward. Having one well-written, intriguing lead is great, but having two — and allowing them to bounce off each other in interesting ways — is hard to top. That’s probably why detective duos are so common in the first place. Ellie and Alec certainly make a case for keeping them.