Morven Christie is to lead the cast of a new six-part ITV drama set in Morecambe in Lancashire.
Written by award-winning writer Daragh Carville (Being Human, The Smoke, Cherrybomb), Christie (The A Word, The Replacement) will lead the cast of The Bay as Detective Sergeant Lisa Armstrong, a fierce and hard-working family liaison officer.
Joining Christie are Jonas Armstrong (Troy, Ripper Street), Tracie Bennett (Scott & Bailey, Coronation Street), Lindsey Coulson (Funny Cow, Bullet Proof), Chanel Cresswell (This is England ’90, Murdered For Being Different) and Louis Greatorex (Last Tango in Halifax, Safe).
The Bay will be executive produced by Catherine Oldfield (Trauma, Home Fires) for Tall Story Pictures. Produced by Philip Leach (Wire in the Blood, No Offence) with episodes 1-3 directed by Lee Haven Jones (Shetland, Vera) and episodes 4-6 directed by Robert Quinn (Home Fires, Endeavour, No Offence).
Filming begins this month in and around the Morecambe area, and Manchester.
Christie said: “Lisa is such a refreshingly real character – brilliant and flawed, trying to make everything work, and often failing. I adore her. And I loved Daragh’s scripts, rooted in the families and community of this distinctive town.
“I can’t wait to get stuck in with Lee and the team, and this fantastic cast he has put together. I hope we’re going to make something that feels raw and real, as well as being a hugely compelling story.”
The Bay has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill.
Hill said: “It’s always a challenge to find a fresh take on crime, but Daragh Carville has written a very real crime story about family and community, which is distinctive, compelling and beautifully crafted. I’m delighted Morven Christie has agreed to play DS Lisa Armstrong alongside a very impressive ensemble cast.”
ITV Studios Global Entertainment is handling international distribution. Tall Story Pictures is part of ITV Studios.
