The gripping Sky crime drama Under Salt Marsh, featuring acclaimed actress Kelly Reilly, is approaching its dramatic conclusion with only one episode remaining in its six-part series. Set against the backdrop of the fictional Welsh coastal town of Morfa Halen, the show masterfully intertwines a chilling murder mystery with the urgent environmental threat of coastal erosion driven by climate change.
The Premise of Under Salt Marsh
Under Salt Marsh unfolds in a tight-knit community that is profoundly shaken by the brutal murder of a schoolboy. This tragic event reopens old wounds, resurrecting painful memories of a botched missing child investigation from years earlier. At the heart of the story is former detective turned educator Jackie Ellis, portrayed with compelling depth by Kelly Reilly. Despite having left the police force behind, Ellis finds herself inexorably drawn back into the investigative fray.
She forms an uneasy and complex partnership with her ex-colleague, Eric Bull, played by Rafe Spall, who holds the official mandate for the case. Together, they race against time to unmask the killer before an impending storm obliterates crucial evidence, adding a layer of relentless urgency to their pursuit.
Is Under Salt Marsh Based on a Novel?
Many viewers have speculated about potential literary origins for the atmospheric series. However, Under Salt Marsh is not an adaptation of any pre-existing book. Instead, the programme is an original creation, born from the distinctive vision of its creator and director, Claire Oakley.
Claire Oakley's Creative Inspiration
Oakley has provided detailed insight into the genesis of the series, explaining that her work is frequently inspired by a sense of place. "With the UK's landmass decreasing due to coastal erosion and sea level rise, I felt inspired to set a story in a colourful coastal community, full of spirit, that we want to see saved," she revealed.
She further elaborated on her fascination with psychogeography, exploring how landscapes exert a psychological influence on characters and vice versa. "I felt that a precarious position on salt marsh could provide a rich psychological landscape to delve into," Oakley noted.
From this foundation, she began developing a crime narrative that directly addresses the vulnerability of those most at risk from the climate crisis: children. "The mystery therefore revolves around two children, one missing and one killed. I wanted to create a big knot between the crimes, the children and our two leads, something complicated and human and emotional," Oakley stated, describing her intent to intricately weave the detectives' lives with the fates of these children in deeply personal ways.
Character Dynamics and Visual Style
Oakley crafted the central character of Jackie Ellis and her fraught dynamic with Eric Bull, likening their bond to a sibling relationship or a "platonic love affair." She expressed a particular interest in exploring the profound connections that form in high-pressure environments, aiming to depict a meaningful, non-sexual friendship between a woman and a man.
The series has garnered attention for its unique tonal quality, with actor Rafe Spall noting evocative comparisons to cult classics like Twin Peaks and True Detective, while emphasising that Under Salt Marsh remains distinctly its own entity.
Cinematic Visual Approach
Director of photography Adam Scarth shed light on the show's striking visual philosophy. "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 - making something unsettling happen in a vibrant, natural world," he explained.
Scarth detailed their embrace of colour and layered textures through meticulous lens and filtration tests, collaborating with colourist Jodie Davison to achieve the final look. Inspired by the rich, saturated tones and deep blacks of 1990s cinema, the team aimed to infuse the series with a similar visual strength and atmospheric depth.
Under Salt Marsh has captivated audiences since its premiere in January, airing on Sky Atlantic and NOW. As the series draws to a close, it leaves a lasting impression as an original, environmentally conscious crime drama that explores complex human relationships against a backdrop of natural beauty and impending peril.
