5 MINUTES WITH... MARSHA THOMASON

The fourth series of ITV’s popular, Morecambebased drama The Bay returns to screens with actress Marsha Thomason as DS Jenn Townsend. The actress, 47, who joined the cast in the third series and is previously known for her role in American police series White Collar, is reunited with her co-star Daniel Ryan, who plays DI Anthony ‘Tony’ Manning.

She proved a hit with fans after replacing Morven Christie as the crime drama’s central character last year, and as the fourth series returns, she talks swapping

Malibu for Morecambe and more.

WHAT ABOUT THE BAY DIFFERS FROM SERIES TO SERIES?

“The thing I love about The Bay is that you do have this core group of characters that have run through all four series pretty much, but that each series there is a whole new family, a whole new set of different characters. Each series the centre of the story changes. Every series feels like a different show.”

HOW IS MORECAMBE AS A LOCATION AND WHY DOES IT WORK SO WELL FOR THE SERIES?

“Morecambe is a character in our show. It’s so iconic and so distinctive. It is a place unto itself. The character of this place really adds to the grit and the drama of the show.”

HOW DID YOU FIND COMING BACK FROM LOS ANGELES TO FILM THE BAY?

“I love coming back to Manchester to shoot because I’m from Manchester and these last few years I’ve gotten to come back quite a few times.

“It feels like Manchester’s trying to pull me back in but I’m not having it. I love you, Manchester, but I’ve got a life somewhere else!”

“It is always a pleasure to come back. My husband’s from Manchester too and our families are still there, so it’s a real gift actually, because I get to come to work and spend time with my family.”

ITV’s The Bay returns on Wednesday at 9pm on STV and the series will also stream on ITVX.