It is an unusual occasion when an actor is recommended to you by others playing the same character in two different television shows, but I recently had the television shows Broadchurch and Gracepoint recommended very highly. After enjoying other shows that had their origins in other countries, most recently Homeland which is based on an Israeli series and The Bridge which is based on a Scandinavian television show I decided to try these new shows. I remember reading articles in the fall reviewing Gracepoint and commenting on the interesting situation of David Tennant playing the same character in a British and American version of the same show and being puzzled that they created an American version of a show recently aired on BBC America. After watching the performances by David Tennant, I can completely understand the decision. The storyline in both series follows the investigation of the murder of a young boy in a small town and the dynamics of the investigation, the toll on the family and the strain on the town as many fall under suspicion. I was familiar with several of the main stars in Gracepoint, including Anna Gunn, Jackie Weaver, Michael Pena and Nick Nolte, but this was my first exposure to David Tennant. It only took the first episode and I was hooked. Between all my free time now that football season is over and watching while walking on the treadmill, I quickly finished the series and moved on to Broadchurch. I just finished Broadchurch and while my initial reaction in episode one was complete surprise that the two shows were so similar, I soon was so impressed by the performances of the actors in both series, I forgot about comparisons and was equally as interested in the story the second time around. Even though I preferred Broadchurch over Gracepoint, I am still disappointed that Fox has decided not to renew Gracepoint for next year. I am already waiting for the second season premiere of Broadchurch on BBC America on March 4th. I did not know it at the time, but I think it was a sign when I came across the Doctor Who Police Box display while shopping during a winter festival. While waiting for the Broadchurch premiere, I plan on binge watching Doctor Who now that I am a David Tennant fan. It is possible Fargo may be bumped on Super Bowl Sunday for Doctor Who and now I am wondering if I have enough time to go back to the store for a Doctor Who t-shirt to replace my usual football jersey for the big day.

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