The “perfect” crime drama: The Bay series 5 is the most satisfying thing you'll watch this weekend

It's that time again when we're all busy flicking through the TV channels looking for something that's actually worth watching - and luckily, we've got just the thing. The Bay is the "perfect" seaside-set crime drama making a very welcome return - and trust us when we say it'll be the most satisfying thing you watch this weekend.

The hit show follows family liaison officer DS Jenn Townsend as she solves a rather large number of murder mysteries around Morecambe, Lancashire. It’s the sort of show that has you guessing who the killer is right until the very end – which is undoubtedly why we’ve all come to love it so much.

So, whether you've never watched an episode or you've been eagerly awaiting The Bay's return, we've got all the details about the new series - and why it's well worth tuning in to.

What is The Bay about?

The popular crime drama first aired in 2019 and introduced us to detective sergeant Lisa Armstrong (played by Morven Christie), a family liaison officer leading an investigation into teenage missing twins from a family living in Morecambe. After a second brilliant series that saw her deal with a shocking murder in a seemingly loving family, it was time for a new detective sergeant to take over.

In series 3, which aired in 2022, Marsha Thomason replaced Christie as DS Jenn Townsend, tackling all the new horrors facing Morecambe's residents, including the death of an aspiring young boxer. In series 4, Jenn found herself with another gripping case on her hands, investigating a deeply troubling arson attack that leaves a grieving family in its wake.

What will happen in The Bay series 5?

The fifth series sees Marsha Thomason return as family liaison officer DS Jenn Townsend. When 23-year-old university student, Hannah, is found dead on the edge of the docks, Marsha and her team have another case to solve. Having returned to work following the death of her father, she pushes aside her own grief to support Hannah’s family.

According to the official synopsis, as the team dig deeper into the case, they discover "hidden friendships and secret liaisons as the anger rises in the student community”. It seems Hannah was keeping a number of secrets and Jenn must reconcile her personal and professional struggles to solve the case.

The series will return with another six episodes and Jenn will be joined again by her police team including Daniel Ryan as DI Tony Manning, Erin Shanagher as DS Karen Hobson and Andrew Dowbiggin as DS James "Clarkie" Clarke. We can also expected some exciting new faces, including Happy Valley's Olwen May and Derry Girls' Taya Lynne O’Neill.

Who's starring in The Bay series 5?

The cast of The Bay series 5 includes:

• Marsha Thomason
• Daniel Ryan
• Erin Shanagher
• Andrew Dowbiggin
• Olwen May
• Barry Sloane
• Georgia Scholes
• David Carpenter
• Emme Hayes
• Suzanne Packer

Is The Bay any good?

In our (humble) opinion, The Bay is one of the most satisfying crime dramas you’ll find on TV. It’s been compared to Broadchurch and is pretty fantastic at delivering a shock twist just when you think you’ve figured it all out. It’s also watched by audiences of up to 6 million and has been described by fans as "perfect" - so it's not just us who love it.

How can I watch The Bay series 5?

The Bay series 5 will be available to watch on ITV1 and ITVX on Sunday 2nd March at 9pm.