Film and TV actor Charlotte Rampling will take a lead role in the eagerly-awaited return of hit murder mystery Broadchurch, ITV has revealed.
The broadcaster said Rampling would play a "pivotal" part in the new series alongside the returning David Tennant and Olivia Colman which begins filming in the next few weeks.
Peter Fincham, ITV's director of television, also revealed details of two new dramas starring Martin Clunes and David Threlfall.
A three-part adaptation of Julian Barnes' novel Arthur & George, starring Clunes as Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Code of a Killer, the true story of the first big case cracked through DNA profiling that will star Shameless actor Threlfall.
Rampling's Broadchurch role marks a rare venture onto the small screen for the acclaimed film actor, known for films including The Night Porter and Woody Allen's Stardust Memories.
"We have another big story to tell this year and that meant finding exceptional actors for new roles," said Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall. "There's none more exceptional than Charlotte: to be writing for her is a dream come true. Charlotte's character is an integral part of our new story."
ITV director of drama Steve November said Rampling was "the first of some exciting additions to the ensemble for the new series".
In a career spanning five decades, Rampling's recent film credits include The Duchess opposite Keira Knightley, with TV work including the BBC's adaptation of William Boyd's Restless.
ITV confirmed earlier this week that former Doctor Who star Tennant, who reprised his role in Broadchurch for the US remake, would return for the second series on ITV alongside Colman.
Broadchurch was ITV's most acclaimed new drama since Downton Abbey and its biggest new midweek drama hit for a decade.
The channel will be hoping to echo its success with Arthur & George, which tells the story of an intriguing series of genuine events in the Sherlock Holmes creator's life. It is being adapted by Ed Whitmore whose credits include Silent Witness and Waking the Dead.
Code of a Killer will star Threlfall as David Baker. It's written by Michael Crompton and directed by James Strong, whose credits include Broadchurch and BBC1's upcoming Peter Bowker drama, From There to Here.
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