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ITV's The Bay announces Morven Christie exit ahead of season 3 return

Photo credit: Ben Blackall - ITV
Photo credit: Ben Blackall - ITV

From Digital Spy

The Bay has announced that actress Morven Christie has exited the show ahead of season three.

Following the news that the popular crime drama has been renewed for a third outing, ITV confirmed that Christie would not be back as DS Lisa Armstrong, despite the character leading the previous two instalments.

She is set to be replaced by Marsha Thomason, who is perhaps best known for her roles in Lost and White Collar. The third series is set to start shooting in the spring, as Thomason's character – Family Liaison Officer Jenn Townsend – gets thrown into the deep end when the body of an aspiring young boxer is found on her first day.

Photo credit: Ben Blackall - ITV
Photo credit: Ben Blackall - ITV

Related: The Bay writer Daragh Carville talks future of the show

Daniel Ryan, Erin Shanagher, Thomas Law and Andrew Dowbiggin will be back as DI Anthony 'Tony' Manning, DS Karen Hobson, DC Eddie Martin and DS James Clarke, respectively.

The Bay's first season, which premiered in March 2019, saw Armstrong assigned to a missing persons investigation in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire. As she dug deeper into the case though, she discovered that she had a personal, potentially compromising, link to the family involved.

Its second series, which kicked off in January, saw her dealing with the fallout, as well as trying to prove herself when she's asked to help solve a murder.

Photo credit: Jean Baptiste Lacroix - Getty Images
Photo credit: Jean Baptiste Lacroix - Getty Images

Related: The Bay writer unpacks *that* "arresting" twist in series 2 premiere

"[Writer] Daragh [Carville] and I couldn't be more delighted by the audience response to The Bay," executive producer Catherine Oldfield said.

"That ITV have recommissioned the show is fantastic and to get a talent as bright and brilliant as Marsha to lead the new series is beyond exciting.

"We can't wait to get back to Morecambe to start filming again in that beautiful part of the world."

The Bay series 1 and 2 are currently available to stream on ITV Hub.


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