Fox is putting an American spin on Britain's Broadchurch, but they were loath to leave behind the series' shining star.

The answer was simple - import David Tennant along with the hit crime drama.

Doctor Who's Tenth Doctor will one again take on the role of DI Alec Hardy but in the slightly different form of Detective Emmett Carver in the newly titled Gracepoint.

When a young boy is found dead on the beach beneath the cliff-face, Carver is brought in to investigate the case while media descends on the small coastal town.

Joining Tennant is Breaking Bad's Anna Gunn, who will portray Detective Ellie Miller. Spurned for a promotion that went to Carver instead, Miller is now forced to work a case that hits the heart of her town with the outsider.

Silver Linings Playbook's Jacki Weaver has also been cast for the new series and will play Susan Wright, a mysterious RV park resident with a dark secret

Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall will spearhead endeavor and work to recreate the script for an American audience.

"Broadchurch is the kind of storytelling that grabs your attention and keeps you riveted with every minute - which is exactly what we look for in an event series," said Kevin Reilly, Fox's Chairman of Entertainment, according to Spoiler TV. "We love the layered characters, we've seen how well-received it's been in the U.K., and we're lucky to be able to bring a new version of this mystery to the U.S. audience."

Gracepoint is set to air in the 2014-2015 season.

Tags
Gracepoint, David Tennant, Fox, Television