Scottish Actor David Tennant Nabs 'Broadchuch' Role for Fox's U.S. Adaptation

"Doctor Who" alum David Tennant is headed stateside. 

Scottish actor David Tennant, who received critical acclaim for his starring role in BBC America's "Broadchurch," will also star in Fox's upcoming U.S. adaptation, TV Guide reports. 

Tennant, who played the tenth doctor on "Doctor Who," will play a character similar to his role in the BBC version of "Broadchurch," but he will put on an American accent. As in the original version, Tennant will play the lead investigator in the case of a young boy in the town of Broadchurch who was found dead on a beach under a cliff. As the investigation wares on, it becomes clear that many of the town's denizens have many secrets, and they can't be ruled out as potential suspects. 

Tennant will once again work with "Broadchurch" creator Chris Chibnall, who is executive producing the U.S. version as well as penning the premiere episode. Anya Epstein ("In Treatment," "Homicide) and Dan Futterman ("In Treatment," "Capote"), have also joined the series as showrunners and executive producers. Carolyn Bernstein ("The Bridge") will also executive produce, along with Jane Featherstone ("The Hour"). 

This August, Fox announced that it would take a page from the BBC and air a U.S. version of "Broadchurch" as part of an "event series" initiative. Fox will also air two other limited-run dramas: "Wayward Pines" and "24: Live Another Day." 

The U.S. version of "Broadchurch" will shoot in January and air in the 2014-2015 television season. 

"Broadchurch" was the most-watched drama in the UK in 2013, drawing more than 10 million viewers for its season finale. In the original series, Tennant portrays Alec Hardy, a serious detective inspector who recently settled in the town of Broadchurch and was immediately put onto the case of the murdered young boy. He is paired with local detective Sergeant Ellie Miller (Olivia Coleman), who knew the boy and is disheartened that she was not tasked with Hardy's job. 

In addition to receiving praise for "Broadchurch," Tennant received a 2013 Daytime Emmy for an outstanding performer in an animated program for his vocal work on "Star Wars: The Clone Wars." He has also appeared in "Blackpool," "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" and "Fright Night." 

This fall, he will star in the BBC1 series "The Escape Artist," and he will play Richard II for the Royal Shakespeare Company. 

It is not that common for an actor on an overseas show to reprise their role for a U.S. adaptation. Australian actor Jason Gann reprised his role of uncouth talking dog "Wilfred" for the American version of the Aussie TV show, but that occurs infrequently. 

The original version of "Broadchurch" has been renewed for a second season by broadcaster ITV, and Tennant is expected to return.