ITV orders fifth series of hit drama The Bay

ITV have announced that hit police drama The Bay will return for a fifth series.

Co-created and written by Co Armagh-born writer Daragh Carville (Being Human, The Smoke, Cherrybomb) and produced by Tall Story Pictures TV, part of ITV Studios, filming for the fifth series of the Morecambe-based show will begin later this year.

The fourth series saw Marsha Thomason (Jenn Townsend) settled in to Morecambe CID alongside cast regulars Daniel Ryan, Erin Shanagher, Andrew Dowbiggin and Thomas Law.

The fifth series will see the latest case for Morecambe MIU focusing on the emotionally complex life of a divided family. With the father and mother of the victim, bitterly divorced, Townsend and her team will have to tread very carefully to keep the whole family onside.

ITV head of drama Polly Hill comments:  “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 with Tall Story Pictures, adds:

“Daragh 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.“