The Bay returns with series three this week – and there’s a brand new Family Liaison Officer in town.
But what happened to Morven Christie’s DS Lisa Armstrong?
How many episodes is The Bay series three, and what’s it about?
Here’s everything you need to know about the new series on ITV1.
Read more: The Bay star Jonas Armstrong ‘arrested for being drunk and disorderly’
The Bay series three – what’s it about?
The Bay series three returns to the seaside resort of Morecambe Bay.
However, there is one big difference – DS Lisa Armstrong has been replaced by DS Townsend as Morecambe’s new Family Liaison Officer.
DS Townsend finds herself immediately thrown into the deep end when a body is found in the bay on her first day in the job.
She must get under the skin of a grieving and complicated family if she has any chance of solving the premature death of an aspiring young boxer.
Jenn must also attempt to fit in with boss Manning and the rest of the team who are her new colleagues.
At the same time, she has to navigate her own blended family, who are struggling to settle in their new environment.
ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, said. “We look forward to the audience meeting DS Jenn Townsend, played by the fantastic Marsha Thomason, who joins the team in series three.”
We’re already TOTALLY invested!
How many episodes is The Bay series three?
The Bay series three is six episodes.
Each episode is one hour long, including ad breaks.
Episode one airs on Wednesday January 12 2022.
Viewers can expect to see the series conclude on Wednesday February 16 2022.
Read more: ITV reveals first photo of Marsha Thomason as DS Jen Townsend in The Bay and reveal guest cast
Why did Morven Christie’s character DS Lisa Armstrong leave The Bay?
Actress Morven Christie announced she would be leaving The Bay and her role as DS Lisa Armstrong at the end of series two.
The last series ended with Lisa Armstrong seemingly at peace.
She was back on top at work, and single again after kicking her no-good ex to the kerb.
However, ITV told us that Morven Christie made the decision to leave the show and not return for series three.
Morven has made no announcement about her reasons, although she did hint at problems behind the scenes.
On February 10 2021, after the devastating death of Lisa’s colleague Med on screen, actress Morven posted a cryptic message on her official Instagram page.
Sharing a picture of actor Taheen Modak in character as Med, Morven wrote: “Day one til the end. So honoured to have spent my two seasons on The Bay with this guy, from fresh out of college to smashing it like an old pro.
“My partner, my pal, this big souled lil king.
“They should never have let you go, but that’s for another day. Now you get to go build your kingdom – and I’m right behind you pal. We did it. @taheenmodak.”
However, Morven did go on to thank writer Daragh Carville.
She wrote: “Bye Lisa. You were a gift. Thank you Daragh Carville, thank you beloved @leehavenjones for bringing me in, and biggest love EVER to the crew who had my back and have my heart.”
View this post on Instagram
Who has replaced Lisa Armstrong in The Bay?
Actress Marsha Thomason joins the regular cast as Morecambe CID’s new Family Liaison Officer DS Jenn Townsend in The Bay series three.
Manchester-born actress Marsha is perhaps best known for playing Naomi Dorrit in the huge HBO hit Lost.
She’s also portrayed Diana Berrigan in White Collar, Katy in Safe House, and Nicole Dechamps in NCIS: Los Angeles.
Marsha has found success in the States, but made her name in UK dramas including Playing the Field, Where the Heart Is, and Prime Suspect.
More recently, she’s appeared as Francine Bridge in Cobra, and Eve in Magnum P.I.
Catherine Oldfield, Creative Director of Tall Story Pictures and Executive Producer of The Bay said: “Playwright Daragh Carville and I always felt that there were so many brilliant stories to be told in the world of The Bay…
“So, after Morven decided to leave the show, we got straight to work finding a new lead actor.
“From the moment Marsha read for the part we knew it was ‘game over’ and we’d found our new lead, DS Townsend.
“We are so excited to see Marsha bring these stories to life.”
Who’s in the cast of The Bay series three opposite Marsha Thomason?
Meanwhile, Daniel Ryan reprises his role as DI Tom Manning.
Of course, Daniel recently appeared as grieving dad Adam Whitworth in Four Lives, adding to his popular roles in Innocent, Vera, Cold Call and Death in Paradise.
Peaky Blinders star Erin Shanagher, former EastEnders actor Thomas Law and ex-Coronation Street actor Andrew Dowbiggin also return as DS Karen Hobson, DC Eddie Martin, and DS James Clarke respectively.
Scottish actor Gary Lewis joins Marsha as Vinnie Morrison on the new series.
He’s perhaps best known for his role as the overbearing dad in Billy Elliot, Robertson in Vigil, and Thorold in His Dark Materials.
Troy star Vincent Regan, recently seen as villain Phil MacAfee in Traces, also joins the cast.
Soap fans will know Barry Sloane – aka Mr Fisher – as Niall Rafferty in Hollyoaks, while White House Farm star Mark Stanley also appears as Warren Pryce.
Zahra Ahmadi, who recently starred in Marcella, completes the guest cast, alongside Rina Mahoney, Michael Karim, Ash Tandon, Nadeem Islam and Georgia Scholes.
Making their professional debuts are David Carpenter and Emme Haynes.
Meanwhile, the cast also includes Isabel Caswell, Deepica Stephen, Paddy Rowan, Conor Lowson, Jenny Platt, Adam Astill, Joel Phillimore, Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana, Zora Bishop, Simon Smithies, Melissa Jane Sinden, Molly McGlynn, Rachael Hilton and Sophie Elliott.
The Bay series three starts on Wednesday January 12 2022 at 9pm on ITV1.
Are you excited to see Marsha Thomason’s debut as DS Jenn Townsend? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.