Meet the New Faces Shaking Up The Bay Season 5 on ITV!

During its fifth installment, The Bay takes us back to the coastal landscape of Morecambe Bay once more, where we encounter another chilling mystery.

Instead of typical crime dramas, “The Bay” focuses on the character of Jenn Townsend, a family liaison officer, portrayed by Marsha Thomason, who sets it apart from other series in this genre.

This season, following a compassionate leave due to her father’s passing, Jenn returns to her team and immerses herself in her work, even though her family requires her attention.

Once again, the latest season of The Bay features a completely new lineup of guest stars who are well-known, including Neil Maskell and Leanne Best.

In an interview for season 5, writer and co-creator Daragh Carville expressed his excitement, saying, “I’ve long admired many of the actors joining us. It’s truly a joyous occasion!

As a passionate film buff, I’m thrilled to be collaborating with talented artists such as Leanne Best, Neil Maskell, and David Troughton, to name but a few. Working alongside Leanne, in particular, feels like a priceless opportunity as a writer.

In a way that feels fresh and genuine, Julie, Hannah’s mom, has tapped into a depth of emotion on the show that seems unprecedented. The series, to an extent, explores themes of grief and loss, but I’m not sure we’ve ever witnessed such raw and truthful portrayal as Leanne does.

1. She’s extraordinary, just like Neil and Steve, Julie’s former spouse, David Troughton – an actor I’ve adored for years whom I was thrilled to write for.

2. She’s amazing, much like Neil, Steve, and her ex-husband, David Troughton. I have long admired David as an actor, and it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with him.

Who are the main actors in The Bay’s fifth season? Let me tell you more about the characters you will encounter.

This version maintains the original’s structure and style, but it uses simpler and more natural language to make it easier for readers to understand.

The Bay season 5 cast: Full list of characters and actors in ITV drama

The main players in The Bay season 5 are introduced below, with Marsha Thomason taking the lead role. Continue reading to discover each character and notable roles performed by the actors.

In this version, I have used simpler language and attempted to make it more engaging for readers by encouraging them to continue reading.

Marsha Thomason as DS Jenn Townsend
Daniel Ryan as DI Anthony ‘Tony’ Manning
Erin Shanagher as DS Karen Hobson
Andrew Dowbiggin as DS James ‘Clarkie’ Clarke
Olwen May as DC Louise ‘Lou’ McClaren
Barry Sloane as Chris Fischer
Georgia Scholes as Erin Fischer
David Carpenter as Conor Townsend
Emme Hayes as Maddie Townsend
Suzanne Packer as Anne Jackson
Tara Lynne O’Neill as Sinead Flanagan
Leanne Best as Julie Ashworth
David Troughton as Tommy Campbell
Neil Maskell as Steve Dawson
Stephen Wight as Craig Ashworth
Ceallach Spellman as Bradley Dawson
Holly Maguire as Emma Bradshaw
Max Ferguson as Elliot Hayes
Darryl Mundo as Jude Bell
Lex Shrapnel as Dr David Wallasey
Lucy Chambers as Poppy Richards
Steven Elder as ACC Robert Pearson
Lorna Brown as DCI Josephine Hardy

Marsha Thomason as DS Jenn Townsend

Who is the person known as DS Jenn Townsend? She is the member of the MIU team who relocated from Manchester during season 3, and since then, she’s become firmly established in her new home, the Bay.

During this current period, Jenn goes back to the MIU, having taken a leave of absence due to the passing of her father from Alzheimer’s. With her mother now residing at home, Jenn experiences increased family stress, leading her to find solace in her professional life.

Have you recognized Marsha Thomason from somewhere else? She played a significant role in The Bay in 2022, but prior to that, she was also featured in Cobra, NCIS: Los Angeles, Castlevania, and Magnum P.I.

Daniel Ryan as DI Anthony ‘Tony’ Manning

Who is Detective Inspector (DI) Anthony ‘Tony’ Manning? Once more, DI Manning takes charge in the investigation, grappling with stretched resources and personnel while attempting to unravel the mystery surrounding Hannah’s case.

Have I encountered Daniel Ryan somewhere before? Well, he recently appeared on ITV’s Passenger and Litvinenko, but you might also recognize him from Death in Paradise, Innocent, Vera, Doc Martin, or even the 2008 episode ‘Midnight’ of Doctor Who.

Erin Shanagher as DS Karen Hobson

What is the identity of Officer Karen Hobson, who frequently collaborates effectively with her colleague Jenn as family liaison officers, despite having distinct work methods?

Have you recognized Erin Shanagher from somewhere else? She’s been playing a role on The Bay since 2019, but she has also acted in Ridley, Viewpoint, Dark Money, provided voice-overs for The Family Pile and video game Total War: Warhammer III.

Andrew Dowbiggin as DS James ‘Clarkie’ Clarke

Who is DS James ‘Clarkie’ Clarke? He is a well-established figure at the Morecambe MIU and has found himself involved in a few skirmishes throughout his career as a diligent police officer. Despite being known for his jovial nature within the station, there’s no doubting his commitment to his work.

Have you come across Andrew Dowbiggin anywhere other than The Bay? He’s previously appeared in shows like COBRA and soap operas such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale, and Casualty.

Olwen May as DC Louise ‘Lou’ McClaren

In the latest development at Morecambe’s MIU team, a newcomer named DC Louise ‘Lou’ McClaren has joined the group following Eddie’s (Thomas Law) transfer to Preston. Prior to this, Lou was temporarily assigned from Lancaster. With over two decades of experience as an officer, she is passionate about her work and has encountered a variety of situations during her tenure.

Have you encountered Olwen May in any of these shows: Coronation Street, Slow Horses, Happy Valley, Emmerdale, Doctors, A Very British Scandal or Brassic?

Barry Sloane as Chris Fischer

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve always been intrigued by the enigmatic figure of Chris – a man who wears many hats, including that of a dedicated deputy headteacher. Amidst the escalating tension at his school, looming inspections from Ofsted cast a long shadow over him. With a household bustling with teenagers and my own relationship with Jenn showing signs of strain, I find myself yearning for solace beyond my immediate circle. Who is Chris Fischer? A man in search of understanding, support, and perhaps a new beginning.

Have I encountered Barry Sloane anywhere else in my entertainment experience? This English actor has appeared in diverse roles such as Pleasureland, Hollyoaks, DCI Banks, Revenge on ABC, and he is renowned for providing the voice in Call of Duty games like Modern Warfare and its sequel.

Suzanne Packer as Anne Jackson

Who is Anne Jackson? Anne is the mother of Jenn, and she has very sadly lost her spouse to Alzheimer’s disease. Over the course of many years, Anne had seen her husband decline, which has placed her in a distinct phase of grief compared to Jenn. Jenn feels that Anne is grieving too quickly for her liking.

Have you recognized Suzanne Packer from somewhere else? She’s most famously known for playing Tess Bateman on Casualty, yet she has also acted in The Pembrokeshire Murders, The ABC Murders, In My Skin, and The Night Caller.

Leanne Best as Julie Ashworth

As a movie reviewer, I can tell you that “Julie Ashworth” isn’t just an office cleaner in Morecambe; she’s a woman whose life is shattered when her daughter, Hannah, is tragically murdered. The ensuing investigation forces Julie to reexamine the life she thought she knew and question whether she truly understood the person Hannah had become.

Have you recognized Leanne Best from any previous shows? She’s famously known for her appearances in Ripper Street, The Walk-In, Line of Duty, and Young Wallander. Additionally, she’s been seen in G’Wed, A Town Called Malice, Cold Feet, and Home Fires.

David Troughton as Tommy Campbell

As a cinema enthusiast, I’d rephrase it as: I’m talking about the man, Tommy Campbell, who resides not far from where Julie dwells. He’s deeply connected to his family, and Hannah, his granddaughter, was particularly dear to him. So, when the tragic news of Hannah’s demise reaches them, Tommy finds himself adrift, without a clear sense of purpose anymore.

Have you come across David Troughton prior to his appearances in shows like New Tricks, Doctor Who with his father, Patrick Troughton’s character, the Second Doctor, or in series such as The Archers, Call the Midwife, and Life?

Neil Maskell as Steve Dawson

Who is Steve Dawson in relation to Julie? He used to be Julie’s husband, but their divorce left him with a deep-seated resentment towards how things unfolded between them. Due to some of his own actions, Hannah found it difficult to trust her father, which put a strain on their relationship.

Have I encountered Neil Maskell in any previous productions? Maskell is popular for his roles across various films and series such as Football Factory, Hijack, Peaky Blinders, Litvinenko, King Gary, No Offence, Utopia, and Bull.

Stephen Wight as Craig Ashworth

Who is the person known as Craig Ashworth? Craig is a man who crossed paths with Julie following her divorce. At that time, he was installing carpets at one of the offices she maintained cleanliness in. Craig has some financial difficulties, which often causes disagreements within their household, especially with Hannah, who felt that Craig might not have been the ideal match for her mother.

Have you recognized Stephen Wight from any of his previous roles in shows like I May Destroy You, Screw, Manhunt, The Paradise, Threesome, Silent Witness, or Andor?

Ceallach Spellman as Bradley Dawson

Bradley Dawson is known as the quiet member of the family, being Julie and Steve’s son and Hannah’s younger brother. After experiencing the tragic loss of his sister Hannah, he finds himself needing to break free from his protective shell and express feelings related to her death following her murder.

Have you recognized Ceallach Spellman from any previous roles? He has appeared in series such as Better, Cheaters, White Lines, World on Fire, Cold Feet, Waterloo Road, and hosted several CBBC programs.

2025-03-02 12:05