Kelly Reilly to star in new Sky Original series ‘Under Salt Marsh’
A new crime thriller set in a fictional Welsh town
Kelly Reilly, known for her role in “Yellowstone,” is set to lead a new Sky Original series titled “Under Salt Marsh”. This six-part series, created by Claire Oakley, promises to be a gripping crime thriller set in the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen, a place caught between towering mountains and a fast-encroaching sea.
The plot thickens
Reilly will portray Jackie Ellis, a former detective turned teacher. The story kicks off as a once-in-a-generation storm begins to gather far out at sea. Jackie discovers the body of her 8-year-old pupil, Cefin, seemingly drowned. This tragic discovery sends shockwaves through the community, reviving the ghost of an unsolved cold case that rocked the town three years prior – the disappearance of Jackie’s niece, Nessa, which cost her career.
A community on edge
Cefin’s death summons Jackie’s former partner, Detective Eric Bull, back to Morfa Halen to lead the investigation into a community he failed once before. Convinced the cases are linked, Jackie and Bull must reconcile and race to uncover long-buried secrets inside Morfa before the storm breaks and all the evidence is gone for good.
Behind the scenes
Claire Oakley, known for “Make Up,” co-writes, executive produces, and leads the direction of the show. The series is produced by Little Door Productions in association with Sky Studios. Jonathan Harbottle and Nikita Lalwani are co-writers, while Mary Nighy directs the third and fourth episodes. Scott Bassett serves as the series producer, with Elwen Rowlands and Megan Spanjian joining Oakley as executive producers.
A character-driven narrative
Oakley describes “Under Salt Marsh” as a crime thriller set in a community deeply connected to its environment, interwoven with the heartache, fears, dreams, and secrets of its people. At the heart of it all is Jackie, a character who embodies the wildness of the place being depicted. She’s free-spirited, compassionate, and determined, with a steely resolve that makes her truly of the land. Oakley expressed her excitement about having Kelly Reilly bring Jackie to life.
A perfect home for the series
Elwen Rowlands, CEO of Little Door, shared her enthusiasm for the project, stating that developing the series with the inspirational Claire Oakley has been a pleasure. Sky Studios coming onboard has given the show a perfect home, and with the talented Kelly Reilly taking on the lead role, the team couldn’t be happier.
A powerful drama
Meghan Lyvers, executive director of original scripted at Sky Studios U.K. and Ireland, praised “Under Salt Marsh” as a uniquely powerful drama. She highlighted Claire Oakley’s exceptional creative talent in crafting a deeply emotional and universal story that explores themes of loss, resilience, and community, all while pushing the boundaries of the crime thriller genre.
Availability
“Under Salt Marsh” will be available on Sky and streamer Now in the U.K. and Ireland. NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution will handle international sales.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Under Salt Marsh.
Personal reflections for cinema and TV series enthusiasts
As a fan of crime thrillers, the premise of “Under Salt Marsh” is particularly intriguing. The setting of Morfa Halen, with its dramatic landscape and looming environmental threat, adds a unique layer of tension to the narrative. Kelly Reilly’s portrayal of Jackie Ellis, a character with a complex past and a strong connection to her community, promises to be compelling.
The involvement of Claire Oakley, known for her work on “Make Up,” suggests that the series will have a distinctive visual style and a strong emotional core. The collaboration with talented writers and directors, including Jonathan Harbottle, Nikita Lalwani, and Mary Nighy, further enhances the anticipation for this series.
For those who appreciate character-driven stories set against a backdrop of mystery and suspense, “Under Salt Marsh” is definitely one to watch. The exploration of themes such as loss, resilience, and community, combined with the thrill of uncovering long-buried secrets, makes this series a must-see.
Stay tuned for more updates and be sure to check out the trailer to get a glimpse of what’s in store.