Broadchurch scores lowest ratings to date as Silent Witness overtakes drama

The crime series has failed to pick up after losing 1.6m viewers last week

Matthew Gravelle on trial for Danny Latimer's murder as Joe Miller in Broadchurch series two (BBC)

BBC1’s long-running crime series Silent Witness attracted more viewers than Broadchurch last night as the ITV drama scored its lowest ratings to date.

The third episode of Chis Chibnall’s drama pulled in 5.7 million viewers in comparison to Silent Witness, which drew 5.9 million.

The second series of Broadchurch was highly anticipated after Chibnall refused to reveal any details about the plot.

The cast signed a non-disclosure agreement and were banned from telling press about what happens to their characters.

However, last week’s episode saw 1.6 million fewer viewers tune in to watch the Bafta-winning crime drama after the series two premiere opened with 7.6 million.

The drama's previous lowest-rated episode was episode five of the first series shown in the spring of 2013.

The second series of Broadchurch has drawn criticism for its lack of subtlety and unbelievable plotlines.

Writing in The Independent, Grace Dent called the drama: “An EastEnders….for people who’d never dream of touching a soap and are rather smug about the fact that it is shot in a sweeping Scandi manner.”

Read more: Broadchurch attracts lowest ever ratings as audience drops by 1.6m
Grace Dent on Broadchurch