A tiny Welsh village once predicted to become the UK's first 'climate refugees' is now the star location of a major new Sky Original thriller, Under Salt Marsh. The six-part series, set to premiere on 30th January, was filmed entirely in Wales, with the seaside village of Fairbourne serving as the backdrop for the fictional town of Morfa Halen.
The drama follows former detective Jackie Ellis, played by Kelly Reilly, who discovers the body of an eight-year-old pupil, reopening an old wound: the unsolved disappearance of her niece three years earlier. The cast also includes Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Yang, Harry Lawtey, and Rafe Spall as Detective Eric Bull.
Fairbourne, reclaimed from salt marshes in the mid-19th century, has long been vulnerable to flooding due to rising sea levels. In 2014, Cyngor Gwynedd announced it would not indefinitely maintain flood defences, leading to predictions that the village might be abandoned by 2054. However, the community has since strengthened its resolve and believes the village has a future beyond that date.
Filming also took place in Anglesey, including Aberffraw and Newborough Forest, as well as Barmouth and Llanbedr. The production has brought income to the area during the off-season and is expected to boost tourism.
