The Bay series 3: New lead Marsha Thomason faces struggle to ‘find her feet’ after Morven Christie’s exit

The Bay’s creator Daragh Carville has shared details of the journey new star Marsha Thomason will take as DS Jenn Townsend in series three, describing the character as ‘very different’ from current lead Lisa Armstrong (played by Morven Christie).

Earlier this month, it was announced that ITV had commissioned The Bay for a third series.

While several actors will be returning to the show, such as Daniel Ryan as police boss Tony Manning, Morven will not be reprising her role as Lisa, with Marsha taking over as the new protagonist Jenn.

During a recent conversation with Metro.co.uk over Zoom, Daragh explained how both characters need to balance ‘emotional openness’ with ‘toughness’ to carry out their jobs as FLOs (family liaison officers) in the police force.

The writer said that viewers will be introduced to Jenn’s children and partner as they navigate acclimatising to a new town following their move to Morecambe.

While he admitted that he couldn’t reveal too much for fear of spoilers, Daragh said: ‘We will see her family life. She has kids, she has a partner, and they’re new in town. So there’s a new FLO in town, there’s a new family in town.

‘Part of the story I suppose is Jenn trying to find her feet in this new role, but also her family have to adjust to a new way of living as well. Her kids find themselves moving to a place that they’ve not been to before – they’re into a new school and they’re into new relationships.

Daragh added that the relationship Jenn is in ‘is a relatively new one as well’.

‘So there’s a lot of getting to know you and discovering how to live in this new set-up,’ he said.

Stating that Marsha will be ‘absolutely amazing’ in the role, he noted that Jenn is ‘very different from Lisa, which was really important’.

‘There are two things that FLOs need and this was something that I discovered from the research. On the one hand you need to be incredibly emotionally empathetic and open in order to connect with these people who are going through these terrible traumas. You need to be able to engage with them on an emotional level, and that suggests a kind of empathy and a kind of vulnerability.

‘But on the other hand, you need almost the opposite quality, which is to be really tough. You need to be able to engage with these people at the worst times of their lives but in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you, that you don’t take home with you, that doesn’t destroy you, so that you’re able to still remain clear-headed and focused and do your primary job which is to be an investigator and a detective.’

Daragh expressed his opinion that both Morven and Marsha have these qualities, which is why they’re able to authentically play FLOs in the police force.

‘Those two contrasting qualities… to do this job in the police, you need that. And actually to play this role I think you need that too. And Marsha’s got both in absolute,’ he said.

‘She’s so emotionally open, but there is also real strength to her.’

How will Marsha fare as the newest addition to the police force in Morecambe? Time will tell.

The Bay is available to watch on ITV Player.

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