David Tennant at his recent best

Broadchurch

Broadchurch, a British murder mystery, stars David Tennant as a brooding investigator and an exceptional ensemble cast. Though the crime-serial genre is familiar, the storytelling here shines in its intricacies and nuances. Everyone’s guilty of something and as each character’s most painful secrets are revealed, we, too, are devastated by shattered innocence, compounding grief, and the terrible death of a child that unravels it all.

The Escape Artist

While Broadchurch explores the impact of trauma on a community, The Escape Artist focuses on one man’s tragedy and revenge. Despite some fine acting by Tennant as a barrister who pays a heavy price for winning a mistrial for an obviously guilty murder suspect, it’s a thriller that doesn’t quite thrill.

So, for Tennant at his recent best, Broadchurch is essential (Season One, England, 2013, Entertainment One); The Escape Artist (United Kingdom,21014, BBC) is not. But do check out his brilliant turn in the titular role of Richard II (England, 2014, Opus Arte).

— Sonette Bales, anglophile and arts nonprofit professional