Viewers complained about David Tennant mumbling during the second series of Broadchurch on ITV last night and said they had to use subtitles on their televisions to understand the actor who plays DI Alec Hardy
ts
return was hotly anticipated, as almost 8million viewers tuned in to
watch Detective Inspector Alec Hardy return to the screen to resolve the
murder of an 11-year-old boy.
But
after the first series ended on a cliffhanger, some viewers were left
disappointed by the latest installment, claiming they were unable to
understand a mumbling David Tennant who plays DI Hardy.
Dozens
of viewers said they had to use subtitles or re-watch the first episode
of the second series of the ITV drama to understand Tennant's mumbling.
Around 7.6million people tuned in to watch the latest offering from Broadchurch, set in Dorset. The show, which sees Tennant and Olivia Colman form an investigating duo, deals with the death of an 11-year-old boy which rocked the community.
But viewers appeared to be left frustrated and confused after the eagerly awaited return of the series.
'Have to keep rewinding Broadchurch because I haven't a clue what they are saying. I've resorted to subtitles,' tweeted Maryam.
Another viewer, Shauntel J, wrote: 'Wishing my TV enabled subtitles just to decipher mumbling.'
Complaints were also made about the loud dramatic background music, poor West Country accents of the rest of the cast and Scottish actor Tennant. Others also suggested much of the cast - including Tennant, Coleman, Eve Miles who plays Claire Ripley and Arthur Darvill who appears as Paul Coates - had previously been in Doctor Who.
Suzanne posted: 'I'm getting frustrated with Broadchurch. They keep mumbling in thick accents I'm not used to. I miss half the dialogue or don't understand.'
Tennant and Coleman, who plays DS Ellie Miller, were in court as DS Miller's husband denied murder
'I see the cast of Broadchurch still hasn't quite mastered the West Country accent,' added Andrew Harrison.
The first series of Broadchurch premiered in March 2013 and was nominated for seven BAFTA awards.
Last night's show was a surprising return to events, after Joe Miller - husband of DS Ellie Miller, played by Coleman - was revealed as the killer of 11-year-old Danny Latimer. In an unexpected twist Miller did not plead guilty to murder, leaving the cast to gear up for a long and complex trial.
Viewers complained about the accents of many of the cast members as well as the loud background noise
Joe Miller pleaded not guilty to the murder of Danny Latimer, 11, despite his confession in the last show
The second series of the drama has been shrouded in secrecy, with actors even unaware how it ends after several conclusions have been filmed.
However some suggested the plot was unbelievable and labelled it a 'travesty' after the success of the first series. Others criticised a 'laughable exhumation' and the unlikely roles of lawyers on the show.
Mumbling has been a recent cause for complaint by viewers of dramas.
In April the BBC blamed actors in Jamaica Inn for mumbling after a number of complaints were received about the poor sound quality of the show. Problems with the sound for the three-part series saw audience viewing figures plummet from 6.1million to 4.1million.
A spokeswoman for Broadchurch said: 'Under 5 viewers registered concern about mumbled speech in last night's Broadchurch. We're thrilled 7.6 million people viewed Broadchurch and that we've had such a positive response.'