ITV has confirmed that comedy legend Sir Lenny Henry will be appearing in the next series of Broadchurch as filming gets underway.

David Tennant and Olivia Colman have been spotted in Somerset today as filming for Broadchurch series three officially gets underway.

The smash hit show, which is partially filmed in Clevedon, is set to return to our screens in the coming months and now cameras have started rolling.

Now, the show's directors have confirmed that Sir Lenny Henry will appear alongside the star-studded cast in the upcoming series, as well as fellow comedian Roy Hudd.

Dorset-based writer Chris Chibnall has also confirmed that series three will be the last instalment of the smash-hit show.

Cast and crew descended on the site of the old Kwik Save car park next to the Crab Apple pub in Clevedon this morning, and David Tennant and Olivia Colman, who play DI Alec Hardy and DS Ellie Miller, have been spotted filming in the Hill Road area.

The show was a massive success when it was first screened, with an average of nine million people tuning in to see who killed Danny Latimer.

The first series was a huge success, scooping multiple awards and critical acclaim, but the second series, which averaged nine million people per episode, divided audiences.

Clevedon is used as the filming location for the majority of the external shots, but the show is set in West Dorset, with the Jurassic Coast featuring heavily in the show.

It is not yet known what the storyline is of the third series, but well known actress Julie Hesmondhalgh, who played Hayley in Coronation Street, has been confirmed as one of the newest additions to the all-star cast, which also boasts Hollywood legend Charlotte Rampling.

Others to join the cast this year are BAFTA winner Georgina Campbell, and acclaimed actors Sarah Parish, Charlie Higson and Mark Bazeley who take significant roles in the eight part series to be co-produced for ITV by Kudos, Imaginary Friends and Sister Pictures.

Andrew Buchanan and Jodie Whittaker, parents of murdered Danny Latimer, are returning to the cast.

Arthur Darvill also returns as local Vicar Paul Coates, Carolyn Pickles as newspaper editor Maggie Radcliffe, Charlotte Beaumont as Mark and Beth’s daughter Chloe, and Adam Wilson as Ellie’s son Tom.

The new series will herald a brand new case for Miller and Hardy, with the detectives reuniting to investigate a serious sexual assault.

“This is the final chapter of Broadchurch,” said Chris Chibnall.

“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 world and show that means so much to me.”

The series explores the consequences of a serious sexual assault as a Dorset community comes under the scrutiny of Hardy and Miller’s investigation.

Based on a year of research with Dorset-based organisations who specialise in dealing with victims of sexual assault, and police advisors who specialise in investigating crimes of sexual violence, Broadchurch’s final chapter looks at the emotional cost to all of those involved and the irreparable damage to friendships and relationships.

ITV’s former Director of Drama Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea have commissioned the new series.

“Broadchurch is as ever stylishly written, provocative and thought provoking,” said Victoria. 

“We’re pleased with the direction Chris and Jane have taken this series and the extraordinary cast they’ve assembled.”

Broadchurch will be executive produced by Chris Chibnall (Malaterra, The Great Train Robbery, Torchwood) for Imaginary Friends and Jane Featherstone (River, Humans, Gracepoint) for Sister Pictures. Dan Winch (Indian Summers II, What We did On Our Holiday) will produce the final series.  Broadchurch is a co-production with Kudos, an Endemol Shine Group company. 

“Broadchurch has been an important part of my life and I am so delighted and privileged to be working with Chris and the team again as we embark on the very final series,” said Jane Featherstone.

“We will return to the town and characters we know so well as they find themselves caught up in a new and compelling story which will test the strength of the community and the people who live there, and will, I hope, be a fitting end to this trilogy.”

On behalf of co-producers Kudos Chief Executive Officer Diederick Santer said:

“Kudos are delighted to be working in partnership with Chris and Jane once again, on what promises to be the thrilling final chapter of Broadchurch.”

The series will be directed by Paul Andrew Williams (The Eichmann Show, Murdered by My Boyfriend), Daniel Nettheim (Doctor Who, Humans, Line of Duty) and Lewis Arnold (Banana, Prey, Humans).

Filming commences this summer in Bridport, West Bay, Clevedon and Bristol.