The latest episodes of the gripping British crime thriller Under Salt Marsh have taken viewers deeper into the mysterious deaths rocking the close-knit Welsh town of Morfa Halen. As the investigation intensifies, one character is stepping out of the shadows. Detective Jess Deng, played by Naomi Yang, is finally getting her moment to shine, and Yang is opening up about what this means for her character and the series.
The six-part drama, which airs on Sky Atlantic, follows detective-turned-teacher Jackie (Kelly Reilly) and her former partner Detective Eric Bull (Mark Stanley) as they investigate the drowning of a nine-year-old pupil. This new death brings back memories of an unsolved case from three years ago. Working alongside them is the recently promoted Detective Jess Deng, who arrives in Morfa Halen as an outsider trying to earn the community’s trust.
But in Episode 4, everything changes for Jess. According to Yang, this is the episode where her character finally finds her voice in a big way.
Jess Deng’s Quiet Strength Finally Takes Center Stage
In a recent interview, Naomi Yang shared her thoughts about her character’s journey in Under Salt Marsh, particularly focusing on what happens in Episode 4. Yang described Jess as having a “quiet strength” that often gets overlooked by those around her. But in the fourth episode, that changes.
“I miss playing her – she had this quiet strength to her that was often overlooked but she knew when to push back, even when the cost was high,” Yang told Country and Town House. “She had real integrity.”
This description perfectly captures what viewers witness in Episode 4. As the investigation into both Nessa’s three-year-old death and Cefin’s recent murder becomes more complicated, Jess finds herself in situations where staying quiet is no longer an option. The episode shows her pushing back against those who would dismiss her insights, essentially “taking power back” in a professional environment where she has often been treated as an afterthought.
Yang explained that Jess’s position as an outsider in Morfa Halen shaped much of her early behavior in the series. “She has to work hard to gain the trust of the community whilst also trying to stay true to herself,” Yang said. Episode 4 represents a turning point where staying true to herself means speaking up, even when it’s uncomfortable.
What Happens in Episode 4? A Recap of the Game-Changing Moments
For those who haven’t caught up with Under Salt Marsh, Episode 4 delivers several major developments that shift the entire investigation. The episode moves away from silence and toward revelation, with long-buried secrets finally coming to light.
Solomon’s Shocking Confession
The biggest bombshell in Episode 4 comes from Solomon (Jonathan Pryce) , who finally admits what he knows about Nessa’s death three years ago. Solomon confesses that he discovered Nessa’s badly burned body on his land. Instead of reporting it to authorities, he wrapped the body in tarpaulin and buried it in toxic waste.
This confession doesn’t necessarily make Solomon a murderer, but it confirms he withheld critical evidence for years. His reason? Protecting his family and livelihood. The revelation raises new questions about what else he might know and why he stayed silent for so long .
Autopsy Results Link the Deaths
Forensic evidence in Episode 4 establishes a direct connection between the two deaths. The autopsy reveals that Nessa was suffocated before her body was burned. This matches the method used in Cefin’s death, strongly suggesting the same person is responsible for both killings .
Dylan’s DNA Creates New Suspicions
The investigation takes another turn when hair found on Cefin’s clothing is matched to a local resident named Dylan. While this puts Dylan under greater scrutiny, law enforcement doesn’t immediately move to arrest him, creating tension about how the evidence will be handled .
Another Death Complicates Everything
As if two murders weren’t enough, Episode 4 introduces a third death. August Antonov is found dead in the rising floodwaters. Before his death, August had discovered information about illegal waste being brought into the region, suggesting the case involves environmental crimes and potential corruption alongside the murders .
The Storm Raises the Stakes
Throughout Episode 4, the brewing storm that has threatened Morfa Halen finally arrives. The rising water cuts off the town from the outside world, trapping residents together with a killer in their midst. Emergency services struggle to reach the area, and the physical isolation increases the psychological pressure on everyone involved .
How Yang Brought Jess to Life
Yang’s portrayal of Jess Deng has earned praise from viewers and critics alike. In interviews, she has shared insights into how she developed the character and what inspired her performance.
Drawing from Location and Atmosphere
Under Salt Marsh filmed for several months in North Wales, specifically around Barmouth and Fairbourne. Rather than commuting back to London on weekends, Yang chose to stay in the area. This decision deeply influenced how she understood Jess’s experience as an outsider.
“Being by the sea, surrounded by the hills and mountains of the Eryri National Park, I felt almost engulfed by the energy and vastness of it all, and that really helped inform how I wanted Jess to feel,” Yang explained. “That she was coming into this world as an outsider, and the community and space feeling at the same time both impenetrable and overwhelming” .
The actor even took up trail running as a way to escape the intensity of the environment. “I got really into trail running as a way to escape that, because it really could become overbearing if you sit in that feeling too much. I got very fit though,” she joked .
Influence from Twin Peaks
Yang revealed that she was watching Twin Peaks while preparing for the role. While the tones of the two shows are different, Yang connected with the idea of observation and the feeling of intrusiveness that comes with entering a community as an outsider .
“There’s also the characters within that community that have their own language and dynamic going on,” Yang noted. “It definitely added to the eeriness of being in quite a secluded town in North Wales, far away from home, during the winter months” .
Working with Acting Legends
For Yang, working alongside seasoned actors like Jonathan Pryce was a special experience. When asked about her favorite actor to work with, Yang said, “Working with Jonathan Pryce on Under Salt Marsh was pretty special” .
She also credited Ben Whishaw with teaching her the most during her early career. Yang’s first acting job was on the film Lilting in 2014, where she worked with Whishaw. At the time, she was working an admin job at a charity and had never been in front of a camera before.
“Ben was so kind and gentle and I just adored watching him work,” Yang recalled. “I feel really privileged for that job to have been my introduction to the industry, and for Ben to have been the first actor I’d worked with. He is such a gorgeous human and made the work seem effortless” .
What This Means for the Rest of the Series
With three episodes remaining in the six-part series, Jess’s newfound assertiveness will likely play a crucial role in how the investigation unfolds. Episode 4 ends without clear answers. Solomon’s confession explains his concealment but not his motive. Dylan’s DNA raises suspicion but doesn’t prove guilt. August’s death suggests larger corruption but doesn’t directly tie it to the murders .
The investigation has turned inward, with detectives realizing that the solution lies within Morfa Halen itself. For Jess, this means navigating increasingly tangled relationships while staying true to her instincts as an investigator.
Yang’s portrayal suggests that Jess will continue to grow more confident as the series progresses. The character’s journey from overlooked newcomer to someone who “knows when to push back” mirrors the show’s larger themes about truth and justice in a community where secrets thrive.
Where to Watch Under Salt Marsh
Under Salt Marsh is available to stream on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the United Kingdom. For viewers in the United States, the series is available on HBO Max and HBO Go. Canadian viewers can stream the show on Crave, while Australian audiences can find it on Binge and Foxtel. In India, the series is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar and Lionsgate Play.
New episodes air weekly, with the first two episodes having premiered as a double bill. The series continues to build tension with each installment, leading toward what promises to be an explosive finale.
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What’s Next for Naomi Yang
Beyond Under Salt Marsh, Yang has plenty of exciting projects on the horizon. She has been announced as part of the cast for Vigil Season 3, which is currently in production. Filming is taking place in Scotland and Svalbard, and Yang can’t contain her excitement about the location.
“Svalbard! The North Pole. It’s gonna be hard to beat that for a work trip,” Yang shared. “I bought some crampons and did a few runs whilst I was there and would just quietly say to myself every few seconds, ‘wow.’ I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing. The highlight though has to be seeing fresh polar bear tracks (whilst also making absolutely sure that they were now far enough away!)” .
While she can’t reveal many details about her role, Yang teased, “Let’s just say I’m really getting my steps in! And I’m very cold a lot of the time” .
As for dream roles, Yang hopes to do something that “requires months of stunt training” and wants to explore more comedy, particularly action comedy. “Get that stunt training in with some laughs along the way,” she said .
For fans of British crime thrillers, Under Salt Marsh continues to deliver the tension, complex characters, and atmospheric storytelling that make the genre so compelling. And with Naomi Yang’s Jess Deng finally stepping into the spotlight, there’s even more reason to tune in.
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