If you’re a Netflix savant, you’ve probably heard of ITV’s crime drama show Broadchurch. Broadchurch is a gripping murder mystery set near the Dorset coast in England, in a fictional town called Broadchurch. The first series – which is available on Netflix – revolves around the murder of eleven year-old boy Danny Latimer. The series is especially outstanding in that it shows the murder from different perspectives; the heartbreak of the family, the frustration of the local detectives, and the media coverage from the town newspaper.

David Tennant (known primarily for his role as the 11th Doctor in Doctor Who) plays Detective Inspector Alec Hardy, a policeman sent to the town of Broadchurch to solve the murder. He works alongside Detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Colman), who is a native of the town, and immediately resents Hardy for taking the lead on a case she feels she deserves. The dynamics between the two detectives becomes more intense as a possible bond is jeopardized by secrets each of the detectives withholds from the other.

The townspeople of quaint Broadchurch epitomize the show’s small town appeal. The friendliness of the inhabitants and the overwhelming lack of crime contribute to the massive shock of the murder of an eleven year-old boy from a loved and respected family. The Latimer family post-murder, especially Danny’s mother, Beth (Jodie Whitaker), crumbles under the pressure from the media, the townspeople, and the desire to know who was capable of taking the life of their son. The townspeople react as well, distraught about the murder and fearful about being under the eye of suspicion of the Broadchurch Police. Arthur Darvill (also from Doctor Who) plays Reverend Paul Coates, the preacher at the sole church in Broadchurch, and David Bradley (Filch in the Harry Potter film series) plays Jack Marshall, the owner of a newsagency and snack shop near the beach. These men, along with the rest of the town, all exhibit surprisingly suspicious behavior that they surreptitiously conceal from the rest of the town.

As secrets unravel and lies are exposed, Broadchurch keeps the audience guessing until the very end. With poignant visuals, sharp wit, and a gripping storyline, the first series of Broadchurch is undoubtedly one of the best TV shows currently available on Netflix.