Broadchurch - How to Make a Whodunnit

How many "whodunnits" have you seen where you can't even remember who the bad guy was? These shows can get repetitive and boring very easily, so how do you make one that stands out? This is an analysis and appreciation of one of the best mystery shows on TV.
For educational purposes only.
With Footage From:
Broadchurch (2013) creator Chris Chibnall
CSI: Miami (2009) "And They're Offed" dir. Matt Earl Beesley
Law and Order SVU (2010) "Torch" dir. Peter Leto
CSI: Miami (2012) "Law and Disorder" dir. Allison Liddi-Brown
CSI (2008) "For Warrick" dir. Richard J. Lewis
Law and Order SVU (2015) "Institutional Fail" dir. Martha Mitchell
NCIS (2014) "The Admiral's Daughter" dir. James Whitmore Jr.
Law and Order SVU (2015) "Daydream Believer" dir. Martha Mitchell
Criminal Minds (2017) "The Bunker" dir. Aisha Tyler
Psych (2009) "Six Feet Under the Sea" dir. Steve Franks
Monk (2002) "Mr. Monk and the Candidate" dir. Dean Parisot
The Mentalist (2008) "Red-Handed" dir. Chris Long
Sherlock (2014) "The Sign of Three" dir. Colm McCarthy
Psych (2014) "Remake" dir. Andy Berman
True Detective (2014) "The Long Bright Dark" dir. Cary Joji Fukunaga
Luther (2011) dir. Sam Miller
Music:
Broadchurch (OST) | Olafur Arnalds
Runaway | Del Shannon
Bravery | Exile
Unswerving | Big Lazy
Beats from the Bungalow | Emperor Penguin

[@HalValla01]

Fun fact: In a 2016 Sag-Aftra interview, David Tennant (Alec Hardy) stated that they got the scripts as they went with the show - meaning that nobody knew who'd done it until the very last episode, not even the actors themselves. David himself said something like "...I thought everyone was guilty, I thought eeeveryone was guilty, which sort of played for the character as well. Olivia thought everyone was innocent" I think doing it this way in stead of having everyone know everything from the beginning is the way to go. Especially when you play a detective/an officer, you don't know if the people are lying or not

[@kiersten01]

I thought I saw a video a bit back where Oliva said she actually knew but didn't tell anyone

[@itchygonads]

Olivia actually accidentally knew 😂

[@banjopiggottwright1802]

I've said this before, but Broadchurch is an absolute masterclass in showcasing human emotion and drama whilst also telling an incredibly heartfelt, yet tragic narrative, to the likes that we may not see again for a very long time.

[@ahrenshaw2080]

This is the greatest video essay on Broadchurch I've seen in the last 7 minutes.

[@SingingSealRiana]

I also love, that who did it is not just personal to her, who is part of the community, but they found a way, to make it personal to him, the outsider too! He was so willing to be dettatched and suspect anyone and still he is hit hard when all cards are on the table, struggling not to freak out cause while he is dettatched from the parents and everyone else, he grew attatched her and it breaks his heart! great analysis by the way!!!

[@topopurrito5397]

Just finished season 1 and when this showed up I knew I had to watch it. The way you worded it was spot on in my opinion as when the killer was revealed I was so shocked! Like if picked up on it once Hardy had asked for his shoe size, but I was still surprised. AND HIS MOTIVE! Oh my god I wasn’t expecting that motive!! Honestly one of the best detective shows I’ve watched, and I’ve watched a lot.

[@hailey3454]

This has way too less views and likes for the quality of this video essay. Amazing job.

[@lolaadamczyk6675]

Finally found a good broadchurch video essay

[@dranoellliw]

thanks man, I appreciate it!

[@ahrenshaw2080]

@@dranoellliw It's true he does appreciate it.

[@geasaje3422]

Great analysis, especially howthos is primarily Ellie's story

[@cara3130]

I wish this video was longer 😭

[@miya1285]

i think a british whodunnit is called a who-innit

[@floued]

this is so well edited, I loved broadchurch and love this video more :)

[@thingslaurasays9995]

Loved this video so much!

[@SophieGauthier-contentologue]

Great ! I've learned a lot, thank you :)

[@JamesTateWilson]

hope you keep making videos like these

[@sadiqurrahman9741]

Thanks for the awesome content

[@brzk_]

such an amazing show

[@MsTinkerbelle87]

They are playing this on pbs again so here I am AGAIN. Love this analysis lol

[@ThePurlpleCow]

Good video man. Was surprised when the view counter said 500 not 50k

[@dranoellliw]

UpInSmoke haha thanks man! I’m not too bad at making videos but I’m very bad at promoting them haha

[@Mostenire]

Subscribed! Your content is pretty interesting.

[@thomasarnoldcoe6527]

Great work, mate Subbed

[@mrrockitt1]

Found this video, and watched all of broadchurch in a night just so i can come back and watch the review teehee

[@PatrickPrejusa]

GREAT VIDEO

[@nosound5903]

Good one

[@JamesTateWilson]

this was great!

[@sizdimitri]

What a great video. :D

[@heart.9889]

I remember watching broachchurch and thinking "person X" would be the most devestating reveal. That would be the worst thing that could happen. So that's when I felt like I knew.

[@astralspeckles]

great job dude!

[@dranoellliw]

Thanks!

[@astralspeckles]

Thinking about making a edit after seeing this!

[@Fee212]

Ellie was amazing when she eventually knew it was her husband.

[@ElinorMahoney]

Such a great video!! It’s sad how Broadchurch was undermined by its shitty American counterpart dragging down its reputation

[@sentientmango3259]

Broadchurch deserve all the praise for the acting, the themes, the dialogue, the music, the atmosphere and the portrayal of human emotion and tendencies. But as a whodunnit it's rubbish.