Created by Claire Oakley.
Under Salt Marsh premiered on 30 January 2026.
Distributed by NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution.
Under Salt Marsh TV Series Review
Under Salt Marsh is a dark crime drama set in a small Welsh coastal town.
The story begins when a teacher finds a young boy drowned, bringing back painful memories of an old missing case.
As the police investigate, secrets slowly rise to the surface.
The show focuses on grief, trust and the impact of the past.
Kelly Reilly delivers a strong and emotional performance, supported by a talented cast.
The stormy seaside setting adds tension and mood.
It moves at a steady pace but keeps viewers interested with mystery and human drama throughout.
CR Rating: 7.2/10.
Under Salt Marsh Actors
Kelly Reilly as Jackie Ellis
DOB: July 18, 1977.
Bio: Kelly Reilly is an English actress born in Chessington, London.
She began her career in British television and theatre before gaining international recognition for her powerful screen presence and emotionally layered performances.
Role: Jackie Ellis is a primary school teacher and former detective whose life is shaped by the unresolved disappearance of her young niece years earlier.
When she discovers the body of a pupil under disturbing circumstances, her past investigative instincts resurface.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: Reilly served as an executive producer on the series, reflecting her deep creative investment in the project.
Notable works: Yellowstone, Calvary, Sherlock Holmes, Flight.
Rafe Spall as Detective Eric Bull
DOB: March 10, 1983.
Bio: English actor born in Camberwell, London, the son of actor Timothy Spall.
Trained at the National Youth Theatre, he built his reputation across British film, television, and stage with performances that blend emotional vulnerability and understated intensity.
Role: Detective Eric Bull is the lead investigator assigned to the new death that shocks the coastal community.
Having previously worked on the unsolved disappearance connected to Jackie Ellis, Eric shares a complicated professional history with her.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: Spall’s performances have been singled out by reviewers for balancing procedural steadiness with surprising emotional beats.
Notable works: The English, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, The Salisbury Poisonings.
Jonathan Pryce as Solomon Bevan
DOB: June 1, 1947.
Bio: Welsh actor born in Carmel, Flintshire, Wales.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, he first gained prominence on the British stage before building an acclaimed international career across film and television.
Role: Solomon Bevan is the grieving grandfather whose family sits at the emotional center of the community’s tragedy.
His long history in the coastal town and his quiet resilience shape the moral atmosphere of the investigation.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: Critics note Pryce’s ability to turn small moments into deep emotional currency; his casting lends immediate weight to the series.
Notable works: The Crown, Glengarry Glen Ross, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl.
Naomi Yang as DC Jess Deng
DOB: March 19, 1989.
Bio: British television actress who has steadily built her profile through appearances in contemporary UK dramas.
Known for her focused screen presence and naturalistic style, she has portrayed professional roles that require composure and procedural clarity.
Role: Detective Constable Jess Deng is a member of the investigative team working under Detective Eric Bull.
Methodical and pragmatic, Jess contributes to evidence analysis and field inquiries while navigating the pressures of a close-knit coastal community.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: Yang’s performance in other recent genre projects helped her land this high-profile Sky role.
Notable works: Wolfe, Nightsleeper.
Harry Lawtey as Dylan Rees
DOB: October 26, 1996.
Bio: British actor born in Oxford, England, and raised partly in Cyprus.
He trained at the Drama Centre London before moving into professional screen work.
Lawtey gained international attention for his breakout role as Robert Spearing in Industry.
Role: Dylan Rees is a young local man connected to the school community and the broader coastal town.
As the investigation deepens, Dylan finds himself under scrutiny, with his personal relationships and past decisions drawing attention from both police and residents.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: Lawtey’s casting adds a contemporary youth perspective to the otherwise older ensemble.
Notable works: Industry, The Pale Blue Eye, Joker: Folie à Deux.
Dinita Gohil as Nisha Jones
DOB: born 1985/1986.
Bio: British actress trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
She has built a strong reputation across stage and screen, including work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where she performed in major classical productions such as Hamlet.
Role: Nisha Jones is a member of the close-knit Morfa Halen community whose personal connections intersect with the unfolding investigation.
As detectives probe deeper into local histories and relationships, Nisha’s perspective helps illuminate the town’s social fabric.
Episodes: 5 eps.
Interesting facts: Gohil’s stage experience helps create textured, believable small-town interactions in the series.
Notable works: Greed, Royal Shakespeare Company productions.
Dino Fetscher as Gareth Evans
DOB: June 9, 1988.
Bio: Welsh actor born in Cardiff, Wales.
He studied acting in London and has built a steady career across British television, frequently appearing in contemporary dramas that explore identity, politics, and social tension.
Role: Gareth Evans is a local resident whose connections within the tight-knit coastal community draw police attention as the investigation unfolds.
His interactions and guarded responses place him within the web of suspicion that surrounds the case.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: Fetscher’s Welsh roots give added authenticity to the series’ coastal setting.
Notable works: Gentleman Jack, Foundation, Years and Years.
Brian Gleeson as Mac Jones
DOB: November 14, 1987.
Bio: Irish actor born in Dublin, Ireland.
The son of acclaimed actor Brendan Gleeson, he trained at the Gaiety School of Acting and has carved out his own respected career across film and television.
Role: Mac Jones is a long-time resident whose family connections and personal history are closely examined as the investigation unfolds.
Embedded in the town’s social network, Mac’s relationships help detectives piece together timelines, rivalries, and hidden tensions.
Episodes: 4 eps.
Interesting facts: Gleeson’s pedigree (son of Brendan Gleeson) and TV experience make him adept at the show’s tonal swings.
Notable works: Peaky Blinders, Bad Sisters, Phantom Thread, Logan Lucky.
Kimberley Nixon as Shell Hill
DOB: September 24, 1985.
Bio: Welsh actress born in Cardiff, Wales.
She trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and has built a diverse career across television, film, and stage.
Role: Shell Hill is a local resident whose family connections and personal loyalties intertwine with the town’s mysteries.
As old allegations resurface, Shell’s choices create tension within the community, highlighting both protective instincts and conflicts rooted in long-standing relationships.
Episodes: 5 eps.
Interesting facts: Nixon has been open in interviews about her own mental-health journey, which informs the compassion she brings to fraught scenes.
Notable works: Fresh Meat, Hunky Dory.
Mark Stanley as Danny Hill
DOB: April 29, 1988.
Bio: British actor from Leeds, England.
He trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has built a reputation for playing tough, morally complex characters in British television and film.
Role: Danny Hill is a local resident whose family ties and social position make him a focal point for community gossip and investigatory threads.
As detectives probe the town’s secrets, Danny’s actions, loyalties, and reputation help shape the web of motives and pressures that drive the story.
Episodes: 4 eps.
Interesting facts: Stanley’s prior work in gritty British drama suits the show’s moody texture.
Notable works: Happy Valley, Game of Thrones (small role), other UK dramas.
Julian Lewis Jones as Osian Northam
DOB: August 21, 1968.
Bio: Welsh actor from Wales, known for his commanding presence and versatility across film, television, and stage.
He frequently portrays authoritative or patriarchal figures, combining gravitas with nuanced vulnerability.
Role: Osian Northam is a respected long-time resident whose deep knowledge of the community, lingering grudges, and local connections make him a key figure in the investigation.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: Jones is a fluent Welsh speaker and his casting anchors the show’s Cymru authenticity.
Notable works: Invictus, Justice League, Welsh TV.
Rhodri Meilir as Ned Bevan
DOB: November 18, 1978.
Bio: Welsh actor from Wales, celebrated for his work in television, film, and theatre.
He is known for bringing warmth, authenticity, and occasionally a subtly unsettling edge to his performances, particularly in small-town or community-centered dramas.
Role: Ned Bevan is closely tied to the Bevan family and the broader community.
His personal history and decisions intertwine with unfolding events, helping to reveal key plot points and deepen the emotional stakes as the storm and investigation intensify.
Episodes: 5 eps.
Interesting facts: Meilir has a strong theatre background and a BAFTA Cymru nomination to his name.
Notable works: In My Skin, Pride, Welsh language drama.
More Actors
• Lizzie Annis as Cara Rees.
• Morgan Watkins as Kieran Benbow.
• William Thomas as Owen Ellis.
• Amara Atwal as Nessa.
• Irys Bea Williams as Izzie Bevan.
FAQ – Under Salt Marsh TV Series
What is Under Salt Marsh about?
Under Salt Marsh is a Welsh crime thriller about former detective Jackie Ellis, now a school teacher, who discovers the drowned body of a young pupil in her coastal town. The discovery reopens an old cold case and forces her and her estranged ex-partner to confront small-town secrets before a storm washes away the evidence.
How many episodes are in Under Salt Marsh?
Season 1 consists of 6 episodes, with each running around 50–55 minutes.
What genre is Under Salt Marsh?
The series is a crime drama and thriller with mystery and emotional themes set in a small Welsh town.
Is Under Salt Marsh a limited series or ongoing?
As of early 2026, Under Salt Marsh is presented as a single-season limited series. Further seasons have not been confirmed.
Where can I watch Under Salt Marsh?
The series is a Sky Original available on Sky Atlantic and streaming on NOW with an Entertainment membership in regions where those services operate.
Conclusion
Under Salt Marsh is a thoughtful and emotional crime drama that focuses more on people than just the mystery.
It explores grief, hidden secrets and the weight of the past in a small community.
The strong performances, especially from Kelly Reilly, make the story feel real and moving.
While it is not packed with nonstop action, its slow and steady storytelling builds tension in a powerful way.
If you enjoy character-driven mysteries with a dark atmosphere, this series is worth watching.