ITV1's The Bay series five cast in full
ITV1's The Bay is back and a Welsh star has joined the cast
The Bay, a popular ITV1 drama is back for its fifth series. Investigating the death of a 23-year-old student The Bay series five will begin on Sunday, March 2 at 9pm on ITV1.
The Bay first began in 2019 and the first two series starred Morven Christie as a detective sergeant family liaison officer. Marsha Thomason took over the leading role from series three as DS Jenn Townsend and she remains in this role for series five.
The new series will see DS Jenn Townsend, who is returning to work following the death of her father, pushing aside her own grief to support Hannah’s, a 23-year-old university student who has been murdered, bitterly divided family. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter.
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.
Joining the cast for series five is Welsh star Suzanne Packer who is playing Jenn's mother Anne Jackson. Speaking about what it was like working with Suzanne, Marsha said: "Suzanne is a dream. She's so kind, so sweet, so smart, we had the most wonderful conversation. We’re both tennis lovers so we bonded immediately.
"Wimbledon was on when she first started and I've always got my iPad with the tennis on and straight away we started talking about Alcaraz who’s both our favourite so we bonded immediately. That's always the great equaliser for me. She's wonderful. I really loved working with her."
The Bay series five cast listMarsha Thomason as DS Jenn Townsend
Jenn Townsend has already spent a couple of years in Morecambe working in the MIU team and earning herself a reputation as formidable. She's returning to the MIU after the death of her dad from Alzheimer’s.
As she tries to push her own grief aside and fully focus her attention on solving Hannah’s murder, she has trouble at home when she puts the needs of her job ahead of her family one time too many. Jenn is played by Marsha Thomason who began the role in 2022 and she is also known for her roles in COBRA and NCIS: Los Angeles.
Suzanne Packer as Anne Jackson
Anne Jackson is the mother to Jenn and her younger sister Kelly, as well as Conor and Maddie’s grandmother. Her husband, and Jenn’s father, has died having suffered from Alzheimer’s for many years.
Anne is initially, and understandably, very needy after his death, and Jenn bears the brunt of her demands. But Jenn and Anne are at different stages of grief.
Anne has been watching her husband slip away for years and his death, when it finally came, has been a relief. So when she turns up in Morecambe, she’s already looking ahead to the future and hoping for a new lease of life putting her into direct conflict with Jenn who finds a brutal callousness in Anne’s enthusiasm for the future, as though she’s forgetting her dad already.
Welsh star Suzanne Packer, who is also the sister of Olympic hurdler Colin Jackson, plays Anne and she is best known for playing Tess Bateman in Casualty. She has also starred in Silent Witness and The Pembrokeshire Murders.
Daniel Ryan as DI Tony Manning
DI Manning is under more pressure than ever to solve Hannah’s case. His decisions are under scrutiny from the ACC while his department's resources are already overstretched.
Although his love life has taken a positive step forward, DI Manning is questioning his professional judgement. When he finds himself cutting corners to make progress in finding Hannah’s killer, he’s left doubting his ability to lead the team.
And when he’s forced to take a step back, he’s got serious decisions to make about his future. DI Tony Manning is played by Daniel Ryan who has also been in the ITV series Litvinenko, Vera and BBC series Doc Martin.
Erin Shanagher as DS Karen Hobson
DS Jenn Townsend and DS Karen Hobson are back for The Bay series five (Image: Tall Story Pictures / ITV)Having spent years earning her place, DS Karen Hobson, played by Erin Shanagher, is now firmly part of the MIU team. Her friendship with Jenn initially appears stronger than ever but it is tested when Jenn confides in her the troubles she’s facing. Erin has also starred in Peaky Blinders, as Mrs Ross and Censor.
Andrew Dowbiggin as DS James 'Clarkie' Clarke
Clarkie still loves his job in the Morecambe MIU but has found it harder than ever amid the barrage of cutbacks in the department. Struggling at times for the right thing to say when Jenn returns to work, and when his political correctness is questioned, he hasn’t got the time to let his colleague's sensitivity distract him from his job.
DS Clarke is played by Andrew Dowbiggin and he has also starred in Coronation Street, Casualty and Emmerdale.
Olwen May as DC Louise 'Lou' McClaren
DC Lou McClaren is a highly experienced cop who joined the police 20-odd years ago. Recently seconded to Morecambe's MIU from Lancaster, after Eddie moved on to a new post in Preston, Lou is the brains of the operation, pulling all the strands of evidence together and keeping the lines of investigation fed with leads and intel.
She's not afraid of hard work and will become an invaluable, and much-liked, member of the MIU as this new case pushes the team to the limit. DC McClaren is played by Olwen May who has also been in Happy Valley, Vera and A Very British Scandal.
Barry Sloane as Chris Fischer
Chris Fischer is usually one of life’s optimists, thoroughly enjoying his job as Deputy Head at Sandylands School. But his limits are about to be tested when he faces juggling the huge pressure of an OFSTED inspection alongside increasing tensions at home.
His relationship with Jenn is left feeling the strain and he is left looking for support elsewhere. Playing Chris is Barry Sloane and his credits include Litvinenko, Holby City and Hollyoaks where he played serial killer Niall Rafferty.
Georgia Scholes as Erin Fischer
Georgia Scholes is Erin Fischer (Image: Tall Story Pictures / ITV)Erin Fischer is intelligent and headstrong with a rebellious streak. Having already finished school, she’s got herself a summer job, mostly because she thinks her dad Chris doesn’t want her to. When trying to help someone at work backfires, she’s forced to open up about her true feelings but it might all be too late. Georgia Scholes plays Erin and she has also been in Violence Within and Hollyoaks.
David Carpenter as Conor Townsend
Conor Townsend has finally finished school and is enjoying a summer of freedom with his boyfriend, Cameron. Initially, he’s excited for all that lies ahead but, when his old insecurities around change begin to resurface, he’s left questioning his choices.
Unsettled by the reality of leaving Morecambe, when the relationships in his life are put under pressure, will he jeopardise his future for those he’s closest to? Playing Conor is David Carpenter who first began playing Conor in 2022.
Emme Haynes as Maddie Townsend
Maddie Townsend is growing up fast. She’s hit her teenage years and is showing a typical rebellious streak. Smart enough to know that Jenn has enough on her plate, she tries to put a brave face on things wherever she can, distracting herself by spending time with her friends.
When one of her friendships leaves Chris in a difficult position, she’s forced to choose between them. Emme Haynes plays Maddie and she has also been in Dante's Inferno: The Ascension and Kiddyzuzaa.
Tara Lynne O'Neill as Sinead Flanagan
Sinead is divorced after a short marriage in her 20s. It was Sinead who asked Manning out when she met him in a pub. More laid back than Manning’s ex, Ellen, she’s fun, and she was wise enough to know what she was getting into when she started going out with a detective.
She knows she comes second to his job and that’s absolutely fine. She’s fiercely protective and we will see how much but will she come between Manning and his team?
Tara Lynne O'Neill plays Sinead and she has also been in EastEnders, Derry Girls and Hope Street.
Leanne Best as Julie Ashworth
Julie works as an office cleaner in Morecambe. She is mother to Hannah and Bradley, her kids from her first marriage to Steve and is now married to Craig.
Julie’s first marriage to Steve ended in a bitter divorce, full of blame and recrimination. As the oldest child, Hannah was caught in the maelstrom and had a breakdown - Hannah’s mental health spiralled to such a degree she tried to take her own life, something Julie has never really come to terms with and for which she still blames herself.
Hannah’s murder will take Julie to the edge. It will test every single thing she holds to be true and every relationship she has will be refracted through the prism of this enormous loss.
The loss is made all the more profound by the growing sense that she might not really have known exactly who her daughter was and what she was doing. As the case unravels, Julie will have to come to terms with the secrets and lies that live in the heart of her divided family and forgive herself, and others.
Also known for her roles in Ripper Street, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Line of Duty and Ted Lasso Leanne Best plays Julie.
David Troughton as Tommy Campbell
Tommy is grandfather to Hannah and found Hannah when she tried to take her own life when she was a teenager. He and Hannah have always been extremely close, sharing the grandfather/grandchild bond that is all the fun and love without any of the discipline and responsibility.
Sadly, Hannah’s death changes everything for Tommy, as he loses his sense of purpose now that his beloved Hannah has been taken from him. David Troughton is playing Tommy and his credits include Call The Midwife, Outnumbered and Doctor Who.
Neil Maskell as Steve Dawson
Steve is Hannah's dad (Image: Tall Story Pictures / ITV)Steve can get angry. He didn’t want to get divorced from Julie and he fought tooth and nail to stay put but, when he realised Julie was steadfast in her determination to put an end to things, he decided to make it as difficult as he possibly could.
He was never violent in a physical sense, but furious rows between them eroded the trust and love over time until Julie couldn’t see why she was with him anymore. The kids, particularly Hannah, bore the brunt.
It was Hannah who ended up calling the police during one furious row because she was terrified. Steve got a caution and he got thrown out of the house.
He’s been pretty absent from Hannah’s life. Taking the role of Steve is Neil Maskell who also starred in Litvinenko, Sex Education and Peaky Blinders.
Stephen Wight as Craig Ashworth
Craig met Julie when he was carpet fitting at one of the offices she cleans. They’ve had problems like any couple, money’s always tight mostly due to Craig’s lack of control over it.
Julie laid down the law and while things seem to have improved over the years, Hannah wasn’t convinced. She had her doubts about him from the off and having moved out to go to uni she avoided him if at all possible.
Despite her misgivings, Tommy saw Craig as a welcome extra support to Julie, even doing the odd bit of work alongside him for cash-in-hand but, following Hannah’s death, those closest to Craig are left questioning his behaviour. Playing Craig is Stephen Wight and his other credits include Andor, Screw and Silent Witness.
Ceallach Spellman as Bradley Dawson
Bradley isn’t much of a talker. He’s never had to be. His older sister, Hannah, was always the vocal one but now she’s no longer around to speak for him or fight his corner.
She protected him from the worst of his parent’s divorce, and the rows that led to it, and to this day he’s led a pretty sheltered life. Bradley has to find a voice to his feelings as he comes to terms with the enormous loss of his sister.
Ceallach Spellman plays Bradley and he has previously starred in Cheaters, White Lines and Waterloo Road.
Max Ferguson as Elliot Hayes
Elliot is in his early 20s. Taking on his BSc in Chemistry at West Lancashire University has been a big step for Elliot. He struggles to build friendships. That is apart from his housemate Hannah.
He doesn’t trust many people but she took great interest in him and wouldn’t make fun of him, unlike her boyfriend Cal. She quickly became one of the only people Elliot could truly confide in.
That friendship nearly ended when he mistook her friendship as a romantic signal, but Hannah’s kindness and reassurance managed to rescue the situation. As Elliot ends his first year, things aren’t quite working out as well as he’d imagined, causing him to get into difficulty on his course.
Then when he hears about Hannah’s death he’s distraught. He feels he’s got no choice but to take matters into his own hands to help the MIU find out what happened to her. Playing Elliot is Max Ferguson who has previously been in Casualty and Pops.
Lex Shrapnel as Dr David Wallasey
Dr David Wallasey is an Environmental Science lecturer at West Lancashire Uni. He’s in his 40s but most would consider him quite cool for his age.
The students often feel like they can confide in him about their worries so when one of the students who he tutors, Hannah, dies we will wonder if he should have spotted the signs that she was in trouble. Lex Shrapnel plays Dr David and he has been in Casualty, Captain America: The First Avenger and A Town Called Malice.
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