Too often some of our favourite thriller series have very limited runs with only one or two seasons, or take many years out in-between each season. However, there's thankfully a number of must-watch series that have got multiple seasons to binge, and if you need a new recommendation to add to your list you have to watch seaside crime drama The Bay.
Starting in 2019, The Bay is the perfect combination of harrowing crime, small town secrets and police investigators getting too involved in a case - basically all our favourite thriller ingredients.
Here's everything you need to know about The Bay and where to watch it.
What is The Bay about?
The Bay is a seaside police procedural drama that began in 2019 and has five seasons. It's set in the seaside town of Morecombe and each season has six episodes which follows the detectives solving one central crime throughout the episodes, rather than a new crime each week.
The first sees focuses on the disappearance of a set of twins, the second the murder of a solicitor, the third season is about the death of a young boxer, the fourth sees an investigation into a devastating house fire and the most recent fifth season is about the investigation into the murder of a university student.
The first two series are lead by Morven Christie as family liaison officer Lisa Armstrong, who unexpectedly finds herself part of the first crime we see her investigate in season one. Seasons three to five are then lead by a new character DS Jenn Townsend, who is played by Marsha Thomason.
Over the years the series has been highly praised by reviewers and fans alike, with many on IMDb recommending it to others. One commenter said of the series: "Really enjoyed this series. Part Red Rock part Broadchurch. Great writing and depth of characters. Shows life's complications and how easily life can snowball. Nuanced and thoughtful."
While another said: "Seriously, I've never been so consumed by a TV show, and the acting is impeccable- not just the main characters but every one of the characters which is unusual for tv shows. Every series is better then the last. So yes this one gets 10/10."
Who is in the cast of The Bay?
The first two series of The Bay are lead by main character Lisa Armstrong, who is a family liaison officer, she's played by Morven Christie who has also starred in dramas including Grantchester, The Replacement and Ordeal by Innocence.
Seasons three to five then follow main character DS Jenn Townsend, played by Marsha Thomason, who has also appeared in series such as White Collar, Lost and Las Vegas.
Starring alongside the two women as the other lead character is DI Tony Manning who is played by Daniel Ryan, best known for his roles in Mount Pleasant, Innocent and Cold Call.
The other cast members that appear in multiple seasons are:
- Erin Shanagher as DS Karen Hobson
- Andrew Dowbiggin as DS James Clarke
- Simon Manyonda as DS Alexander Stewart
- Taheen Modak as DS Ahmed "Med" Kharim
- Thomas Law as DC Eddie Martin
- Steven Elder as ACC Robert Pearson
- David Carpenter as Conor Townsend
- Emme Haynes as Maddie Townsend
As each season represents a new crime to solve, the people connected with each case change per season.
Where can I watch The Bay?
All five seasons of The Bay are available to watch on ITVX now for free. With 30 episodes to get through it should keep you entertained for at least a week or two.
The Bay is available to watch on ITVX
