The Bay: Everything you need to know ahead of series 4

Virgin Radio

8 Mar 2023, 14:35

After more than a year away, popular ITV crime drama The Bay is finally back on screens tonight (Wednesday 8th March). 

The broadcaster have confirmed the Morcombe-based police thriller will return on Wednesday 8th March, and DS Jenn Townsend and the team are back trying to crack another coastal crime. 

As we eagerly await episode one, here is everything you need to know about The Bay series four. 

What will happen in The Bay series 4?

This series of The Bay will kick off in a very fiery way, with DS Townsend and the Morecambe Police’s Family Liaison team tasked with taking care of a broken family following an arson attack. 

The official ITV synopsis adds: “[Townsend] races to the scene to find horror unfolding for a broken family, the Metcalfs. As they have to face their overwhelming loss, Jenn must gain their trust to help Manning and the MIU uncover the truth of what happened. 

“Back at home, Jenn’s got troubles of her own as, along with Chris, she tries to get to grips with the realities of having a house full of teenagers and a blended family.”

Series four will be made up of six episodes, and according to the returning cast, this series of The Bay is one of the most heartbreaking. 

Speaking to virginradio.co.uk and other press ahead of series four, DI Tony Manning star Daniel Ryan shared how he felt reading the scripts detailing the devastating events.

He shared: “When we first started, obviously you read the scripts from the point of view of the story, now we’re four series in, I instantly read them with a Manning mindset. What I mean by that is it is only actually from watching episodes one and two that I feel the heartbreak that the audience are going to feel for a family torn apart.

“I've started to come at these now and sort of divorce myself from them, I guess, as you would, if you were having to investigate the case. You've got to be practical, you've got to step out and be outside of it. So it's only as a viewer coming at it, after the fact, that I now realise how very, very upsetting the story is.”

Who stars in The Bay series 4?

Marsha Thomason is back for a second year as DS Jenn Townsend, and will reunite with MIU’s DI Tony Manning (Ryan). 

Andrew Dowbiggin returns as DS James Clarke, alongside Thomas Law as DC Eddie Martin. Barry Sloane also makes a comeback as Jenn's boyfriend Chris Fischer.

Meanwhile, the Metcalfe family will be led by Dean, played by Joe Armstrong. Tom Taylor will play eldest sibling Matt Metcalfe, and is joined by Victoria Elliot, Eloise Thomas, Will Oldfield and Ella Smith as his younger brothers and sisters. 

Speaking to virginradio.co.uk, Thomason revealed where audiences will find Jenn as she settles into her role. She explained: “Jenn is much more settled in this year, you find a much more confident Jen. She was having a crisis of confidence last series and she's much more in her comfort zone in her work this year.”

When does The Bay series 4 begin? 

There’s not long to go now! The Bay series 4 will air on ITV1 at 9pm tonight (Wednesday 8th March). 

If you’re looking to catch up before then, The Bay seasons 1-3 are available to watch on ITVX.