Filming begins on the sixth series of ITV1's hit drama The Bay

Morecambe’s Major Investigation Unit is back!

ITV1 has today revealed that filming has commenced on the sixth series of their hit drama, The Bay, in which Marsha Thomason will return to play Morecambe MIU’s Family Liaison Officer, DS Jenn Townsend.

Also returning for series six are cast regulars Daniel Ryan, Andrew Dowbiggin and Olwen May, as well as Suzanne Packer as Jenn’s mum, Anne Townsend, Tara Lynne O’Neill as Sinead, DI Tony Manning’s partner and Jacob Butler as Kieran, Manning’s son.

This series, Morecambe’s Major Investigation Unit, is back to investigate the murder of teenage foster child, Logan Marsden. As the case unfolds, divisions in the local community add further strain to the case, and suspicion shifts from people closest to him to figures linked to a criminal operation in the area, revealing hidden dangers and unexpected connections.

Away from the case, Jenn and Manning are dealing with personal challenges at home, testing their resilience and professionalism as they fight to get answers for Logan and his family.

Joining the new series as guest cast are Claire Calbraith and Alec Newman as Rebecca and Joe Hollis, Logan’s foster parents.

Speaking ahead of the new series, Writer and Executive Producer, Daragh Carville, said "It's an honour and a pleasure to return to Morecambe for series 6 of The Bay. Once again the indomitable Marsha Thomason will lead the team alongside the mighty Daniel Ryan, and together with a brilliant guest cast they'll be delving into a compelling new story, a murder mystery that begins with a shocking discovery in a fairground on the prom."

To which Catherine Oldfield, Creative Director of Tall Story Pictures and Executive Producer of The Bay, added "When we first set out to tell our story of a Family Liaison Officer in Morecambe, we never could have imagined we’d get to a sixth series. But it is an absolute treat to give the fans another series of DS Jenn Townsend and the team for another enthralling and emotional story. Tall Story are delighted to be back on the Morecambe beat."

Made by Tall Story Pictures, part of ITV Studios, The Bay is co-created and written by Daragh Carville, with Caroline Carver, Shyam Poppat, Bridget Deane and Evan Placey completing the writing team.

The new series will be directed by Brian O’Malley (episodes 1-3) and Bindu De Stoppani (episodes 4-6, produced by Martin Campbell and executive produced by Amy Thurgood, Catherine Oldfield and Daragh Carville.

The Bay will return to ITV1