PUT the kettle on and take your seats for a television drama with a very familiar backdrop.

Next Monday, March 4, the long-awaited first episode of Broadchurch bursts on to our television screens.

Locals can't wait to see the eight-part ITV series that shines the spotlight on West Bay and the Jurassic Coast.

Broadchurch is about the effects on a small Dorset seaside town when a young boy is found dead on the beach in mysterious circumstances.

Writer, executive producer and Bridport resident Chris Chibnall, who has written Doctor Who and Torchwood, said Broadchurch is a 'love letter' to the landscape of West Dorset.

“The landscape informs the drama; the cliffs, the sea, the beach are all key elements of the story,” he said.

“I've put dinosaurs on spaceships, but nothing has given me the satisfaction of seeing the Jurassic Coast on screen in all weathers, day and night.

“Our cast and crew adored Dorset too - especially in the high sun of early September.

“At the end of November, at 2am on a cliff-side battered by wind and sea-spray, less so.”

Broadchurch trailer

Even the cast and crew were kept in the dark about the outcome of the drama until the final scenes were shot.

“We hope part of the joy of Broadchurch is the unfolding of the story,” said Mr Chibnall.

“We've deliberately not put 'next time' trailers at the end of each episode.

“We'll be keeping as much information to ourselves as we can and we'd really, properly love it if the audience would keep the secrets they discover along the way to themselves.”

Mr Chibnall thanked the audience at a sneak preview at Bridport Arts Centre for their support.

The first episode was also shown to an audience at Bafta and London last week when Mr Chibnall joined Broadchurch star David Tennant and the cast and production team in a question and answer session.

“Big thanks to everyone at the preview screenings at Bafta and Bridport Arts Centre,” he tweeted. Two very special nights.

The cast includes Olivia Colman, Pauline Quirke, Arthur Darvill, Andrew Buchan and Will Mellor. The first episode will air at 9pm.

Don't miss our Saturday magazine Seven Days

Don't miss the exciting feature on Saturday where the Echo's Ruth Meech speaks to the director, write and the very special David Tennant