Why the US Remake of ‘Broadchurch’ Flopped: The Untold Story Behind ‘Gracepoint’

As a storyteller, I delved into crafting a gripping police drama unlike many others in 2013. In the heart of the U.K., on ITV, I brought to life Broadchurch, a series that unfolded across three captivating seasons from 2013 to 2017. This wasn’t just any crime-ridden town; it was a picturesque coastal village named Dorset, where the peaceful atmosphere was shattered by an unspeakable tragedy – the gruesome murder of an 11-year-old boy.

The program explores the family’s sorrow, the community’s reactions, and the rumors swirling about who might have perpetrated such a horrific crime. The series features Olivia Colman and David Tennant in leading roles as the investigating detectives, bringing renowned British performers to the forefront. Critics hailed the first season, particularly for its compelling writing and acting. Chibnall was commissioned to create an American adaptation for Fox, set to air the following year. Unfortunately, the subsequent series, titled “Gracepoint,” failed to make a lasting impression and soon faded into obscurity.

‘Broadchurch’ Hadn’t Been Made Widely Available Yet in the U.S.

People didn’t know about the connection

The show titled “Gracepoint” made its debut in October 2014, approximately two years following the initial airing of “Broadchurch.” In this new series, David Tennant reprised his role, albeit with a different character name. Interestingly, Tennant adopted an American accent for “Gracepoint,” which contrasted with his natural British tone. Fox aimed to create a unique entity with “Gracepoint,” distinguishing it from the success of its predecessor, rather than capitalizing on the audience familiar with it.

Prior to its release, it was announced that the show Gracepoint would vary significantly from Broadchurch, most notably in the conclusion of the series. At that time, Broadchurch had been a success in the U.K., but it wasn’t widely accessible in the U.S. during that year. It wouldn’t arrive on Netflix until 2014, several months before Gracepoint debuted. However, Netflix was not as well-known or subscribed to as it is now, so the streaming audience for it at that time was smaller than what Netflix can attract today. Furthermore, even though Gracepoint was marketed as a remake of a British series, few people were familiar with it, let alone watched it.

Anna Gunn’s Polarizing Role on ‘Breaking Bad’ Didn’t Help

She was coming off her recognizable and controversial role yet

In the TV series “Gracepoint,” Anna Gunn stepped into the role originally played by Colman, following her critically acclaimed performance on “Breaking Bad.” Her portrayal of Skyler White garnered her two Emmy Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Despite being a prominent figure in dramatic television at that time, her fame might have posed a challenge for the show “Gracepoint.

In the television show “Breaking Bad,” Skyler was a highly controversial character. Numerous viewers strongly disliked her due to her actions that went against the series’ main character, her husband Walter. However, many also empathized with Skyler as she was trying to safeguard her son from Walter. Despite this, Walter was the central figure of the show and fans appreciated Bryan Cranston’s performance too much to fully consider Skyler’s actions. Consequently, Skyler endured an excessive amount of unnecessary criticism.

It was difficult for viewers not to associate Anna Gunn with her character Skyler, so her portrayal of Ellie Miller was inevitably influenced by that memory. The casting of Tennant as Emmett Carver didn’t seem to improve the situation. Although some fans may have been familiar with Tennant from his role as the Tenth Doctor on Doctor Who, his popularity in America wasn’t as widespread, which meant that his name alone didn’t generate a significant following in the U.S.

The Remake Aired Alongside Some Tough Competition

It’s hard to go up against the NFL and Chuck Lorre

The TV show “Gracepoint” boasted an impressive ensemble cast beyond Gunn and Tennant. Michael Peña and Virginia Kull played the mourning parents of the victim, while Nick Nolte, Jacki Weaver, Josh Hamilton, Kevin Rankin, Kevin Zegers, and Jessica Lucas all joined in as residents of Gracepoint. Each actor contributed significantly to the show’s richness, offering insights into the diverse townsfolk. Furthermore, understanding the possible culprit among the town’s inhabitants was crucial to the series plot.

In October 2014, the series Gracepoint premiered on Fox on Thursdays. However, it faced tough rivals during its broadcast. During its initial run, it competed against Thursday Night Football on CBS, which consistently won the ratings contest for that time slot. People who weren’t tuning into the NFL probably watched Season 4 of Scandal instead, which was still drawing nearly 10 million viewers weekly. Once Thursday Night Football ended on CBS, Two and a Half Men took over its usual time slot during its final season. This show attracted an average audience of over 11 million viewers, demonstrating the influence of Chuck Lorre.

Compared to other episodes, Gracepoint’s most popular one was its debut, which attracted 4.76 million viewers. However, it faced stiff competition and struggled to draw an audience. The content was challenging to endure, making it a difficult choice for viewers between watching football, a well-known sitcom, or Kerry Washington’s captivating performance as Olivia Pope instead.

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but feel that Gracepoint might have been more successful if it had been released a bit later. Timing is everything in this industry, and sometimes a little patience can make all the difference.

David Tennant has consistently shone in his roles, both on the American and British stages, and even a detective series that didn’t quite take off hasn’t dimmed his star power. On the other hand, Anna Gunn, who was exceptional in Breaking Bad, hasn’t quite reached the same heights since then, perhaps indicating a shift in audience preferences or industry trends.

2025-07-06 00:04