10 TV Series That Tried to Be Broadchurch (But Kinda Failed)

1. Gracepoint (2014)

Right, let's start with the American "cousin" of Broadchurch, Gracepoint. In this crime drama, the setting shifts from the British coastline to the rugged California shores, yet maintains the similar air of unease. And wouldn't you know it, David Tennant himself reprises his role as the detective!

But where it stumbles is in its need to Americanize the British original. Sure, there are tweaks here and there to set it apart. The small town, the grieving family, the secrets – familiar territory, but it lacks the finesse that made Broadchurch so spellbinding.

2. The Loch (2017)

When a sleepy Scottish village on the banks of Loch Ness becomes the site of a gruesome murder, a local detective and a seasoned profiler are on the case. The setting is strikingly eerie, and the plot has promise. But The Loch struggles to strike a balance between character development and suspense, leaving it teetering between a whodunit and a whydunit. Although it tries to capture the essence of a tight-knit community unraveling, it misses the mark by attempting too many twists and turns.

3. One of Us (2016)

Two families in rural Scotland share a harrowing secret: their children were murdered, and the killer's corpse is on their doorstep. So who dunnit? While the setup is intriguing and the suspense palpable, One of Us quickly derails into a messy hodgepodge of plotlines. Themes of grief, revenge, and justice are thrown into the mix, but it's the execution that leaves one wanting.

4. Marcella (2016-2021)

Meet Marcella: a London detective dealing with a failing marriage and the return of a serial killer from her past. This series is a bit of a wild ride. The protagonist's blackouts and the fragmented narrative are intriguing but perplexing. Marcella can feel like a puzzle with too many pieces – the cast of characters and subplots are numerous, making it difficult to maintain focus. Despite the gripping plot and intriguing protagonist, it doesn't quite match the concentrated intensity of Broadchurch.

5. Safe (2018)

Harlan Coben, the man who knows how to spin a thriller, brought us Safe – a story about a surgeon searching for his missing teenage daughter. The gated community setting is a cauldron of secrets and lies. But where it stumbles is in its pacing and tone. With twists that seem forced and character motivations that sometimes defy logic, it often feels like it's trying too hard.

6. The Missing (2014-2016)

Now here's a drama that brings every parent's worst nightmare to the screen – a child going missing during a holiday. The setting shifts between the picturesque French town and the gritty London streets. While the story is well-told, with multiple timelines and the anguish of the parents palpable, it doesn't quite capture the suspense. Yes, it has the mystery and the characters, but the buildup lacks the punch.

7. Liar (2017-2020)

A date night gone wrong. A teacher accuses a surgeon of assault, setting off a cat-and-mouse game of lies and deceit. The seaside town, the characters with secrets, and the gripping narrative all tick the Broadchurch-inspired boxes. But where Liar falters is in its portrayal of the characters. Subtlety is often the key, and there's a lack of nuance in the way they are depicted, making it difficult to empathize with them.

8. The Bay (2019-present)

Set in the coastal town of Morecambe, a detective finds herself investigating the disappearance of two teenage twins, only to realize her personal life is entangled with the case. While the plot shows promise and the setting has the eerie charm, The Bay suffers from a lack of depth in its characters and a somewhat predictable plot. It's a good effort, but not a stand-out.

9. The Widow (2019)

A woman believes her husband, presumed dead in a plane crash in Congo, is still alive. This thriller takes us from the Welsh countryside to the heart of Africa, as the widow uncovers a web of deceit. The international setting is a breath of fresh air, and the story is intriguing. But where The Widow falls short is in its execution – the pacing is uneven, and the subplots often distract from the main storyline.

10. The Five (2016)

Twenty years after their friend went missing, a group of friends are haunted by a shocking discovery – the boy's DNA is found at a murder scene. The plot is promising, with a good dose of suspense and twists. But The Five suffers from a lack of focus. With a multitude of characters and a convoluted narrative, it's easy to get lost in the maze.