Joe Sims, better known as Nige Carter, always knew the potential that British drama Broadchurch had.

Formerly of Casualty, the actor also recognises the unbelievable success of the drama as the best part of his career to date.

Bristol-born Sims said: “I think when we got the scripts by Chris Chibnall everybody was in awe of them. We stayed single minded throughout. He knew the way it was going. I think it was done in a way, with an ending which didn’t patronise the audience in any way.

“There were people who initially said eight hours of this story and doubted it. But it’s testament to ITV for being creatively brave and having the conviction to do it and go ahead with it.”

Sims is adamant that Broadchurch is the best thing he has been involved with, saying: “Without a shadow of doubt. Working with what are TV heavyweights like David Tennant and Olivia Colman has been just amazing. They are almost people you know, they are on your television and then you become friends. And it’s weird because normally they’re in that box in the corner of your front room. David helped me and we had worked together before actually in Romeo and Juliet. Everyone was so lovely.

Sims who had worked with Tennant before in Romeo and Juliet insisted that having those characters on-set was a huge benefit and such names helped him during the four-month filming of the programme.

Broadchurch, already infamous for the somewhat prominent Dorset and West Country accents was filmed locally in areas of Dorset including West Bay and nearer his Longwell Green home, in both Portishead and Clevedon.

Sims added: “It’s lovely to come home and it’s nice to take advantage of the West Country scenery. I mean, when you get the weather – it’s beyond compare. Those cliffs on West Bay are absolutely stunning. The locals too, when you’re filming are such friendly people and you’ll be doing a scene and there will always be 50 or 60 of them just watching.”

It’s clear he enjoyed himself, playing Nige Carter, a rather precarious plumber in the debut drama but lauded others, saying: “The performances of David Tennant and Olivia (Colman) were absolutely sublime and subsequently they most probably will be rewarded for them too.

“We are really lucky it tapped into something special. There’s a second series and people have said will it just turn into Midsomer Murders or something. But with a man like Chris at the helm we can rest assured that it will be something special. Whether I’m part of the cast or not, I’m going to be a fan.”