Lenny leaps at role in top crime drama

COMIC Relief legend Lenny Henry is such a big fan of Broadchurch that he jumped at the chance to be in the drama.

He said: “When the offer came through I don’t think they even got to the end of ‘Broad-‘, they didn’t get to the ‘d’ I just said yes, yes whatever it is. It was, for me, a no-brainer.”

Sir Lenny – who plays Trish’s farm shop boss Ed Burnett – even admits he prefers drama over comedy these days.

He said: “It is the sort of thing I want to be doing more of. What is great about this part is that it is a serious role but there are humorous element to it.”

Like millions of us, who’ll now be double-guessing who attacked Trish, Sir Lenny, 58, didn’t know how the storyline was going to pan out when he arrived on set.

Bribes

He admitted: “With most TV dramas you know what the entire story is before you start filming but on Broadchurch so many people, including myself, started this without knowing how it ends up. There was a real detective vibe behind the scenes.

“We would be in make-up or costume going, ‘Have you read what happens next? What happens to me? Why am I wearing these trousers? Why is there mud on these trousers?’

“You’re constantly trying to glean information from every member of backstage staff, the caterers, the costume people, the stunt people… You’re just trying to find out what happens next week.

“The crew are usually two weeks ahead of the cast. It’s very frustrating. Constant bribes of cake and drinks at the bar being bought for people who might know more than anybody else.” Sir Lenny described widower Ed as “pretty much the only black guy within a 40-mile radius.” He added: “He has been in the Broadchurch area for ten or so years but, as with all of these seaside places, he is still seen as an outsider.”