Broadchurch loses ratings war to Silent Witness as the drama drops two million viewers
ITV drama Broadchurch has lost almost two million viewers during its second series after receiving a string of complaints from disappointed fans.
Broadchurch has lost almost 2 million viewers in its second series
After pulling its lowest ever audience, the crime drama was last night beaten by Silent Witness in the ratings war.
The latest episode was watched by an average 5.7 million viewers, compared with 7.6 million who watched the first episode of the second series.
By the end of its first series the gripping hunt for Danny Latimer's killer saw 8.7 million views tune into the show's finale.
The cult favourite has since suffered a rating drop and has been subject to a series of complaints from viewers concerned about the accuracy of the storyline and annoyed about actors mumbling lines.
Silent Witness beat the ITV drama after it suffered its lowest ever ratings
Viewers have complained that actors are mumbling their lines
Fans complained about unrealistic scenes during the police investigation and trial, including a family selecting their own QC.
During the second series viewers have also taking to Twitter to vent their frustration about not being able to hear the actors.
"Dorset" accents, mumbling and background music have all be blamed for preventing fans from being able to follow the story.
According to overnight ratings, the BBC's Silent Witness, the forensic pathology programme starring Emilia Fox, won the slot with an average audience of 5.9 million viewers.
Other complaints have included comments that the legal scenes aren't accurate
Broadchurch had been the winner when the two shows were screened at the same time las. Last week Broadchurch, which stars David Tennant and Olivia Colman, had pulled in 6.1 million, which put it 600,000 ahead.
When asked about sound quality and accuracy in storylines regarding the legal profession, a spokesman for ITV has previously insisted it had received fewer than five official complaints.
"We consult extensively with advisors, but also have to balance what we consider to be the best creative decision for the drama, and the audience," she said.