The original is well worth a watch just to see the differences in how the characters were portrayed and the scenes were ordered and timed. Plus it has a second series which Gracepoint did not get.

I don't see the X-Files on your list. They're based Quantico, VA.
Criminal Minds is in Washington, DC.
Grey's Anatomy's also in Seattle.

I wouldn't mind if they could find a reason to cast David Tennant and Olivia Colman in this reboot.

It's true. No one except Olivia Colman knew Joe was the killer until the night before the last scripts came out, when Matthew Gravelle got a call from Chris Chibnall. Even David Tennant didn't know although he found out 1/2 way through the filming that Olivia knew.

I really enjoyed series 2 once I realized that getting caught up in every detail of each case was overwhelming. Stepping back to more of an overview and watching the series through the lens of Hardy's and Ellie's detective skills made it really enjoyable because I believe the two leads' stories are the over-lying arc…