The British crime drama Under Salt Marsh has been keeping viewers on the edge of their seats since its debut on January 30. Starring Kelly Reilly (Yellowstone) and Rafe Spall (Trying), the Sky original series follows a former detective who discovers the body of a young boy in a Welsh coastal town slowly sinking into the sea. With the investigation heating up and secrets starting to surface, fans are eager to know when they can watch Under Salt Marsh Episode 5. Here is everything you need to know about the release date, time, streaming details, and what to expect as the story moves toward its finale.
Under Salt Marsh Episode 5 Release Date and Time
Under Salt Marsh Episode 5 is scheduled to release on Friday, February 20, 2026 . The episode will air on Sky Atlantic at the regular time of 9:00 pm GMT in the UK . For viewers streaming on NOW (formerly Now TV), the episode typically becomes available at the same time or within an hour of the broadcast .
The show follows a weekly release pattern rather than dropping all episodes at once. The series premiered with a double episode on January 30, followed by single episodes every Friday . Here is the full release schedule:
- January 30: Episodes 1 and 2 (premiere)
- February 6: Episode 3
- February 13: Episode 4
- February 20: Episode 5
- February 27: Episode 6 (finale)
This weekly rollout gives audiences time to digest each twist and discuss theories about the mystery surrounding the fictional town of Morfa Halen.
Where to Watch Under Salt Marsh Episode 5
Viewers in the UK can watch Under Salt Marsh exclusively on Sky Atlantic and the streaming service NOW . The show is a Sky Original production, meaning it is not available on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, or BBC iPlayer .
For international audiences, availability is more limited. The series is primarily locked to Sky territories, though it may become available on other platforms in select regions at a later date . Viewers outside the UK should check local listings or streaming services that carry Sky content.
Sky has also introduced a new bundle that includes Sky TV, Netflix, and Discovery+ for £15 per month, making it easier for viewers to access Under Salt Marsh along with other popular shows .
What Happened in Episode 4
As Under Salt Marsh Episode 5 approaches, here is a quick look at where the story stands. The series follows Jackie Ellis (Kelly Reilly), a former detective who now works as a teacher in the close-knit Welsh community of Morfa Halen. After a massive storm, Jackie discovers the body of her eight-year-old pupil, Cefin Hill, in a drainage channel near the school .
The death forces Jackie to reunite with her former partner and estranged lover, Detective Eric Bull (Rafe Spall), who leads the investigation . The case quickly connects to an unsolved cold case from three years earlier—the disappearance of Jackie’s niece, Nessa, which cost Jackie her career and fractured her family .
Episode 4 deepened the mystery as the police raced against time. The coastal town of Morfa Halen is literally sinking into the sea due to coastal erosion and rising water levels, threatening to destroy crucial evidence . A massive storm is forecast to hit the area within days, adding urgency to the investigation .
The episode also explored tensions within the community. Creator Claire Oakley explained that the town’s precarious physical situation mirrors the psychological state of its residents. “In the face of adversity, people tend to hold on fast to what they love, and I wanted this to be both this community’s strength and their weakness as the story unfolded,” Oakley said .
What to Expect in Episode 5
With only two episodes remaining after this week, Under Salt Marsh Episode 5 promises to raise the stakes. The investigation into Cefin’s death and its connection to Nessa’s disappearance three years ago is reaching a critical point. Old secrets are starting to surface as the community grapples with grief and suspicion .
The supporting cast includes several familiar faces who may play larger roles as the story progresses. Jonathan Pryce (The Crown) appears in a key role, along with Naomi Yang (Chimerica), Brian Gleeson (Bad Sisters), and Harry Lawtey (Industry) . The show was filmed on location in Wales, including Barmouth, Fairbourne, and Anglesey, giving the series its distinctive grey, windswept atmosphere .
Episode 5 was written by Jonathan Harbottle, who also co-wrote Episode 3 . The episode is directed by Mary Nighy, who directed Episodes 3 and 4 alongside creator Claire Oakley .
The Real-Life Inspiration Behind the Series
Under Salt Marsh draws its unique atmosphere from real-world concerns about coastal erosion and climate change. Creator Claire Oakley revealed that the idea for the series came from watching the UK’s landmass decrease due to rising sea levels .
“Most of my work has been inspired by place and with the UK’s landmass decreasing due to coastal erosion and sea level rise, I felt inspired to set a story in a colourful coastal community, full of spirit, that we want to see saved,” Oakley explained .
She also spoke about how the landscape affects the characters. “I’ve always been interested in psychogeography: how the landscape can have a psychological effect on its characters and vice versa and I felt that a precarious position on salt marsh could provide a rich psychological landscape,” she said .
The fictional town of Morfa Halen—which literally means “salt marsh” in Welsh—faces a slow disappearance into the sea, creating constant background dread that permeates every scene . This environmental threat is not just scenery but an active part of the plot, as evidence washes away and the community’s very existence hangs in the balance.
How Many Episodes in Total
Under Salt Marsh consists of six episodes in total . This limited series format means the story will conclude with Episode 6 on February 27, 2026 . The compact run keeps the momentum high without dragging out the mystery, allowing viewers to get a complete story in just a few weeks.
Unlike some streaming series that release entire seasons at once, Under Salt Marsh follows a traditional weekly broadcast schedule . This approach builds anticipation between episodes and lets audiences discuss each development before the next installment arrives.
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Where to Catch Up Before Episode 5
Viewers who missed earlier episodes can catch up on Sky Atlantic and NOW before Under Salt Marsh Episode 5 releases on Friday. All previous episodes are available on demand through these platforms . The Essential TV bundle from Sky also includes access to Netflix and Discovery+, giving viewers plenty of other content to explore while waiting for the next episode .
With the finale just around the corner, now is the perfect time to jump into this gripping Welsh crime drama. The combination of strong performances from Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall, the haunting coastal setting, and the race-against-time investigation makes Under Salt Marsh one of the most talked-about shows on British television right now.
Under Salt Marsh Episode 5 arrives this Friday, February 20, at 9 pm on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Viewers in the UK can tune in live or stream it on demand shortly after broadcast.
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