ITV and Tall Story Pictures today announced casting for The Bay, an original drama written by award winning writer and playwright Daragh Carville (Being Human, The Smoke, Cherrybomb) and co-created by Richard Clark.

Morven Christie (The A Word, The Replacement) will lead the cast 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), Louis Greatorex (Last Tango in Halifax, Safe), Adam Long (Happy Valley, Peterloo), Taheen Modak making his professional screen debut, and Daniel Ryan (Mount Pleasant, Black Sea).

The Bay is set in the unique coastal town of Morecambe and 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 will begin in August in and around the Morecambe area, and Manchester.

When Detective Sergeant Lisa Armstrong is assigned to a missing persons investigation, at first it seems like any other – tragic, but all too familiar. As a Family Liaison Officer, she’s trained never to get emotionally involved. Her job is to support families during the worst time of their lives whilst also to be the eyes and ears of the police investigation; a cuckoo in the nest. But there’s something very different about this particular case. With horror Lisa realises she’s got a personal connection with this frightened family; one that could compromise her and the investigation. As she grapples to get justice for the grieving family, Lisa discovers it could come at a cost.

Morven 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.”

Executive Producer Catherine Oldfield said: “We are so thrilled to have the hugely talented Morven Christie to lead the cast as DS Lisa Armstrong. Daragh's wonderful writing and Lee's brilliant vision for the show have drawn this amazing cast to The Bay and we can't wait to see them bring the scripts to life for ITV.”

Daragh Carville added: “I’m beyond proud that this brilliant cast is coming on board to tell the story of The Bay. I can’t wait to welcome them to Morecambe.”

The Bay has been commissioned for ITV by Head of Drama, Polly Hill.

Commented Polly Hill: “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.

Notes to Editor

Tall Story Pictures

Founded in 2016, Tall Story Pictures produces television drama for UK and international markets. Working with the very best established and emerging writing talent, Tall Story Pictures places the writer’s vision at the heart of everything we develop and produce. Recent productions include; Kate Brooke’s Bancroft and Mike Bartlett’s Trauma – both produced for ITV.