The Sky drama Under Salt Marsh is nearing its conclusion, with only one episode left in the six-part series. The show, set in the fictional Welsh coastal town of Morfa Halen, explores the impact of climate change-driven erosion on a tight-knit community.
The plot follows former detective Jackie Ellis (Kelly Reilly) as she is drawn back into investigative work after a schoolboy's murder. She teams up with her former colleague Eric Bull (Rafe Spall) to solve the case before an approaching storm destroys crucial evidence. The murder revives painful memories of a botched missing child investigation from years earlier.
Contrary to viewer speculation, Under Salt Marsh is not based on a book. Creator and director Claire Oakley developed the concept, inspired by the UK's decreasing landmass due to coastal erosion and sea level rise. Oakley stated, 'I felt inspired to set a story in a colourful coastal community, full of spirit, that we want to see saved.' She aimed to explore the psychological effects of the landscape on characters, delving into a crime that addresses the risk children face from the climate crisis.
Oakley crafted the complex dynamic between Ellis and Bull, describing it as a 'platonic love affair' and a non-sexual female-male friendship. The series has drawn comparisons to Twin Peaks and True Detective, but actor Rafe Spall noted it remains 'very much its own thing.'
Director of photography Adam Scarth explained the visual approach: 'We wanted to lean into the crime drama genre without defaulting to a dark, moody tone. The challenge was creating tension in a beautiful setting.' The series embraces colour and rich textures, inspired by 90s cinema.
