A new detective story set in a small coastal town is coming soon. Under Salt Marsh is a six-part crime drama that will launch on Sky Atlantic and the streaming service NOW on 30 January 2026. The show is already drawing strong comparisons to the popular series Broadchurch, promising a similar mix of emotional mystery and community secrets.
The story takes place in a fictional Welsh seaside town called Morfa Halen. A former detective named Jackie Ellis, played by Kelly Reilly from Yellowstone, now works as a teacher. She makes a terrible discovery: the body of her eight-year-old student, Cefin, who seems to have drowned. This death brings back painful memories of another unsolved case from three years earlier—the disappearance of Jackie’s own niece, Nessa.
Believing the two cases are connected, Jackie is forced to work again with her old police partner, Detective Eric Bull, played by Rafe Spall. He returns to the town he failed once before to lead the new investigation. Their search for the truth happens as a huge, once-in-a-generation storm forms out at sea, threatening to hit the town and wash away any evidence forever.
Why Fans Of Broadchurch Will Feel At Home
For viewers who loved the tense atmosphere of Broadchurch, Under Salt Marsh feels very familiar in the best way. Both shows start with the devastating death of a child in a tight-knit seaside community, instantly shattering the peace. The location is more than just a backdrop; the cliffs, the sea, and the weather become central characters, creating a mood of suspense and isolation.
The heart of both series is a compelling detective duo. In Broadchurch, it was the partnership between David Tennant’s outsider DI Hardy and Olivia Colman’s local DS Miller. Under Salt Marsh features its own fractured pair: Jackie, the local woman whose life was upended by the first tragedy, and Eric Bull, the detective returning with his own history of failure in the town. Their complicated history adds a deep personal layer to the investigation.
Creator Claire Oakley said, “Under Salt Marsh is a crime thriller set in a community deeply connected to its environment, and interwoven with the heartache, fears, dreams and secrets of its people.”
Where Under Salt Marsh adds a new twist is in its structure. While Broadchurch focused on one central crime per season, the new series links two tragic events across time: the new death of young Cefin and the three-year-old cold case of Nessa’s disappearance. This dual-timeline mystery promises to weave an even more complex web of secrets for viewers to untangle.
A Stellar Cast Led By Kelly Reilly And Rafe Spall
The series brings together an impressive cast of well-known British actors. Leading the show is Kelly Reilly as Jackie Ellis. Reilly is best known for playing the fierce Beth Dutton on the hit series Yellowstone. She is joined by Rafe Spall, known for shows like Trying and films like Life of Pi, who plays the determined but burdened Detective Eric Bull.
The supporting cast is full of familiar faces from other acclaimed dramas. It includes Jonathan Pryce (The Crown, Slow Horses), Naomi Yang (Chimerica), and Harry Lawtey (Industry). Fans of the hit show Happy Valley will recognize Mark Stanley, and viewers of Bad Sisters will know Brian Gleeson. The cast also features Dinita Gohil (Treason), Kimberley Nixon, and Dino Fetscher.
The Creative Team And Stunning Welsh Setting
The person behind the show is Claire Oakley. She is the creator, head writer, and lead director. Oakley previously directed the film Make Up and co-directs this series with Mary Nighy. The production company is Little Door Productions, working with Sky Studios.
Filming took place entirely in Wales, using locations in Barmouth, Fairbourne, Anglesey, and parts of South Wales. The Welsh Government provided support for the project through Creative Wales. The stunning yet harsh landscape of the Welsh coast is central to the story’s atmosphere, with the approaching storm acting as a constant symbol of looming danger and hidden truths about to surface.
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How And When To Watch
Under Salt Marsh is a six-part miniseries. All episodes will be available for streaming. The show will premiere on Friday, 30 January 2026. It will be available on the Sky Atlantic television channel and on the NOW streaming service for subscribers.
For international audiences, a global release plan has not been officially detailed yet. However, major Sky original dramas are typically distributed worldwide through Sky’s international partners or other streaming platforms after their UK debut.
The official teaser trailer has already been released, showing glimpses of the moody setting, the tense reunion between Jackie and Eric, and the community under strain.
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