Broadchurch return gives ITV biggest drama audience since Downton Abbey in 2015

The first episode of the final series of the crime drama drew 7.5 million viewers, giving the channel a 34% audience share and winning the 9pm timeslot. The final episode of Downton Abbey on Christmas Day in 2015 drew 6.6 million viewers in the overnight ratings, as people tuned in to wish a fond farewell to the Crawley family.