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The Bay Season 5: All we know About the new Murder Mystery & Return of DS Jenn Townsend
The Bay is back for its highly anticipated fifth season, bringing another gripping case to Morecambe. Marsha Thomason returns as DS Jenn Townsend, tackling a new investigation while navigating personal turmoil.
Season four ended on an emotional note, with Jenn and the team solving a high-stakes case that left lasting consequences. Now, the new season raises the stakes even higher, promising intense drama and unexpected twists. ITV recently unveiled an exciting trailer, teasing a dark and complex investigation that will push Jenn to her limits.
With tensions rising both on the job and at home, this season is set to test her like never before. From the latest cast additions to behind-the-scenes insights, we’ve gathered everything you need to know about The Bay season five. Keep checking back as we uncover more updates—you never know what secrets might surface next!
Release date & Where to Watch
The Bay season 5 premieres on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 9 pm GMT on ITV1. All six one-hour episodes will be available on ITVX after the broadcast.
How to Watch The Bay Season 5 Online from Anywhere
The Bay season five is now available on ITVX in the UK. If you're traveling or living outside the UK, geo-restrictions may block your access. Fortunately, a reliable VPN can help you stream The Bay season five from anywhere, bypassing these limitations effortlessly.
For the best streaming experience, you need a top-tier VPN that offers more than just speed. NordVPN’s Meshnet feature allows you to securely connect to other devices worldwide, enhancing your streaming capabilities.
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What is the plot of The Bay Season 5?
When 23-year-old university student Hannah Dawson is found dead at the docks, Morecambe’s MIU team is thrust into a complex murder investigation. DS Jenn Townsend, returning to work after her father’s death, sets aside her grief to support Hannah’s fractured family—her divorced parents, Julie and Steve, and Julie’s new husband, Craig—who must confront long-standing tensions.
As Jenn and the team dig deeper, they uncover hidden relationships and rising anger within the student community, leading to shocking discoveries. The case takes a dramatic turn when a member of Hannah’s own family is arrested, forcing Jenn to navigate not just the intricacies of the investigation but also growing pressure at home.
With her partner Chris preparing for an Ofsted inspection and her daughter Erin in trouble at work, Jenn struggles to balance her personal and professional responsibilities. Executive producer Catherine Oldfield noted: “Jenn’s back to work after the death of a family member and so perhaps isn’t in the most solid emotional state. But she’s keen to just get back to work, and possibly this is because if she doesn’t stop to think about her loss, then she can avoid having to deal with what it really means.” (via Express)
Writer Daragh Carville highlighted the season’s central theme: “This series I was interested in telling the story of a divided family where the parents of the victim are divorced acrimoniously and there's bad blood and history there.”
As the investigation unfolds, Jenn’s role as a family liaison officer becomes even more challenging, mediating between grieving parents while searching for the truth.
Oldfield teases an emotional season ahead, saying: "We always hope we entertain them with a good old mystery but beyond that we really hope the audience will find the characters real and experiencing things that they, the audience, will recognise. There’s a universality to the story this year that we hope will resonate... Jenn’s grief, Manning’s new romance, the tragedy for the victim’s family - as well as some very light commentary on where we are as a country at the moment.” (via Yahoo! News)
Oldfield further added, "I think I’ve cried watching this series more than any of the previous ones...so I’d say keep the tissues handy!"
Who’s in the cast of The Bay Season 5?
- Marsha Thomason as DS Jenn Townsend: A formidable FLO, Jenn has earned respect in Morecambe’s MIU. Returning after her father’s death, she struggles to balance solving Hannah’s murder with personal grief and family tensions.
- Erin Shanagher as DS Karen Hobson: A dedicated MIU officer, Karen’s strong bond with Jenn is tested when personal troubles surface. As she supports Hannah’s family, her own actions come under scrutiny, forcing her to question her choices.
- Daniel Ryan as DI Anthony Manning: Under immense pressure, Manning faces scrutiny from superiors while leading an overstretched team. His personal life improves but doubts about his professional decisions leave him questioning his future.
- Andrew Dowbiggin as DS James Clarke: A committed detective, Clarkie navigates department cutbacks and team conflicts while prioritizing Hannah’s case. Unbothered by political correctness, his sole focus remains on catching the killer.
- Barry Sloane as Chris Fischer: A usually upbeat Deputy Head, Chris struggles to manage work stress, household chaos, and Jenn’s growing distance. With tensions at home rising, he seeks support elsewhere.
- Olwen May as DC Louise Lou McClaren: An experienced cop seconded to Morecambe MIU; Lou thrives on piecing together cases. Despite past personal tragedy, she remains sharp, resilient, and finds humor even in dark situations.
- Suzanne Packer (Casualty, Keeping Faith) as Jenn's mum, Anne Jackson,
- David Carpenter as Conor and Emme Hayes as Maddie, Jenn’s children
- Emme Hayes as Maddie
- Leanne Best (Cold Feet) and Neil Maskell (Kill List) as Hannah's estranged parents
- David Troughton (New Tricks) as Tommy Campbell
- Stephen Wight (Screw)
- Ceallach Spellman (White Lines)
Is There a Trailer for The Bay Season 5?
Yes, and as the 30-second clip shows, this gritty crime drama returns with full force! Hannah Dawson's murder creates a rift between the people and the police, making this already tricky case harder to solve.
Episode Schedule
- Season 5 Episode 1 (Sunday, March 2, 2025)
- Season 5 Episode 2 (Monday, March 3, 2025)
- Season 5 Episode 3 (Tuesday, March 4, 2025)
- Season 5 Episode 4 (Sunday, March 9, 2025)
- Season 5 Episode 5 (Monday, March 10, 2025)
- Season 5 Episode 6 (Tuesday, March 11, 2025)
Will The Bay Return for Season 6?
ITV has yet to confirm whether The Bay will return for a sixth season, but given its strong track record, another installment wouldn’t be surprising. It’s been a while since new episodes aired, with season four premiering in 2023.
While season five was confirmed soon after, fans had to endure a long wait for its arrival. With Jenn’s personal and professional life still unfolding, viewers will undoubtedly hope for a quicker renewal this time around.
Filming Details
The Bay season five was filmed in and around Morecambe, Lancashire, which serves as the show's primary setting. Additional filming locations include other areas of the Lancashire coast and nearby towns to capture the scenic backdrop of the crime drama.
Behind the Scenes
The Bay is co-created and written by award-winning playwright and screenwriter Daragh Carville and produced by Tall Story Pictures, a part of ITV Studios. The latest season brings back Caroline Carver to the writing team, joined by Evan Placey. Actor Shaun Evans directs the first three episodes, while Waris Islam takes on episodes four-six, with Martin Campbell producing.
The series has been sold in over 140 territories worldwide, with ITV Studios handling international distribution. Known for its compelling storytelling, The Bay continues to attract top-tier talent, something Carville appreciates. “Actors that I’ve admired for years have come on board. I’m so thrilled,” he said. (via Yahoo! News)
Carville particularly praised Leanne Best’s performance, saying, “The chance to work with someone like Leanne is just a gift as a writer. She’s been able to access a rawness of emotion as Hannah’s mum, Julie, that I don’t think we’ve ever seen on the show before. The show is to some degree a study of grief and loss, but I don’t know if we’ve ever seen that portrayed with so much truth and rawness as Leanne does. She’s phenomenal, as is Neil as Steve, Julie’s ex-husband.”
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