The Bay season 5: Release date and latest news
The new season centres on a very divided family.
Morecambe Bay is calling once again as The Bay returns for its fifth season, promising another gripping mystery set against the backdrop of the coastal town.
This time, DS Jenn Townsend (Marsha Thomason) is stepping back into the thick of it, juggling the emotional weight of her father’s recent passing while diving headfirst into a harrowing new case.
With tensions still simmering between her and her mother, Anne (Suzanne Packer), Jenn seeks refuge in her work –but the latest crime to hit the MIU is as unsettling as ever.
The season’s central investigation revolves around the murder of university student Hannah, whose body is discovered by the docks. As always, Jenn isn’t just there to catch a killer – her role as a family liaison officer means she must guide Hannah’s loved ones through their grief while uncovering the secrets the young victim left behind.
Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press, Thomason described the role of Jenn as "a lot to sink my teeth into" and admitted that she was "bawling [her] eyes out" filming some of this season's "incredibly moving" scenes.
Adding a fresh perspective behind the camera, Endeavour star Shaun Evans directs half of the season, bringing a distinctive touch to the show’s storytelling – he described The Bay as “not your usual procedural,” emphasising its deeper emotional layers.
"The appealing thing, I think, about is The Bay is the family liaison element and so, it's not like your usual procedural," Evans said. "It feels more emotional because she's in with the family, not asking very direct questions but getting to know about them and about the victim in a far more emotionally centred way."
But when does The Bay season 5 premiere, and who’s joining the cast this time? Here’s everything you need to know.
The Bay season 5 release date
The Bay season 5 will be returning to our screens on Sunday 2nd March at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
At the time of its renewal, head of ITV drama Polly Hill said: "We're delighted to be returning to Morecambe for another series of The Bay.
"The series is a huge success story for ITV and we're grateful to Catherine Oldfield, Daragh Carville and the team at Tall Story Pictures for continuing to create compelling stories and characters."
Catherine Oldfield, executive producer at Tall Story Pictures, added: "[Show creator] Daragh [Carville] and I couldn't be happier to be heading back to Morecambe with Marsha and the team for another case.
"We love making the show and so we're delighted to be producing another series for ITV and viewers at home and abroad."
Read more:
The Bay season 5 cast
As is the case with previous seasons, a new raft of guest actors have been drafted in, with some familiar faces from the world of TV joining The Bay for season 5.
Thomason returns as Jenn, along with her core MIU team but this season also marks the first without Thomas Law, who has since returned to EastEnders. In his place, new addition Olwen May joins the cast as DC Louise 'Lou' McClaren, a long-serving detective who has been seconded from Lancaster.
Read our full guide to The Bay season 5 cast.
What is The Bay season 5 about?
The official synopsis for The Bay season 5 reads: "When 23-year-old university student, Hannah, is found dead on the edge of the docks, Morecambe’s MIU team has another case to solve. Jenn, who is returning to work following the death of her father, pushes aside her own grief to support Hannah’s bitterly divided family.
"With the stakes of the investigation high, Jenn and the team dig deeper into the case, they uncover hidden friendships and secret liaisons as the anger rises in the student community.
"As intensity increases, and the team peel back the complicated layers of Hannah’s life and the secrets within it, Jenn must reconcile her personal and professional struggles as she grapples to solve the case, come to terms with her own loss and build bridges with her family."
Is there a trailer for The Bay season 5?
Yes! The trailer for The Bay season 5 gives us a glimpse of some of the drama and divided family tensions to come in this new case.
You can watch it below.
The Bay returns to ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday 2nd March at 9pm.
Check out more of our Drama coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.
