Broadchurch series 2: Twitter reacts to first episode as fans give rave reviews

The show's opening episode was well-received on Monday night

The dynamic of Olivia Colman and David Tennant has remained intact

Broadchurch fans were not disappointed tonight as the show made a strong start to its second series with a rapturously-received opening episode.

The plot had been kept a closely guarded secret, leaving many viewers fearing the seaside town would have to develop a Midsomer Murders-style body count to keep the plot moving.

Review: Broadchurch series 2, episode 1

But instead, the series picked up largely where it left off with the confession of Danny Latimer’s murderer, which rocks detectives David Tennant and Olivia Colman by entering a “not guilty” plea.

Colman, who won a Bafta for her portrayal of Ellie Miller, was highly praised on Twitter for her “frighteningly brilliant” performance on Monday.

Her co-stars were also acclaimed, along with the writers of the episode for following a horrendous murder case through to its bitter end.

New faces included Eve Myles as Claire, a woman apparently being stalked, Charlotte Rampling as Jocelyn Knight, a retired lawyer who the residents of Broadchurch are calling on to help represent the Latimers, and her rival Sharon Bishop, played by Marianne Jean-Baptiste.

Here is some of tonight’s reaction on Twitter: