FILMING UNDER WAY FOR SIXTH SERIES OF ITV / STV HIT CRIME DRAMA THE BAY IN MORECAMBE | INFORMING BRITAIN ON DRAMA

Filming has begun on the sixth series of the popular ITV/STV drama The Bay, with production company Tall Story Pictures confirming the start of principal photography in Morecambe.

Marsha Thomason returns in the lead role as DS Jenn Townsend, the Family Liaison Officer with the town's Major Investigation Unit, joined once again by series regulars including Daniel Ryan as DI Tony Manning.

The new run introduces guest actors Claire Calbraith and Alec Newman as the foster parents of the series story's victim, while familiar faces Suzanne Packer, Tara Lynne O'Neill and Jacob Butler reprise supporting roles.

The storyline centres on the murder of a teenage foster child, Logan Marsden, whose body is discovered in a fairground on the promenade.

​Investigators uncover tensions within the local community as suspicion moves from those closest to the teenager towards individuals connected to a wider criminal network operating in the area.

Alongside the professional demands of the case, Townsend and Manning navigate personal pressures that challenge their focus and working relationship.

The series is commissioned by ITV's Director of Drama Polly Hill and will air on ITV1 and STV before becoming available to stream on ITVX and STV Player.

Co-created and written by Daragh Carville, with additional scripts from a team including Bridget Deane, the drama continues its strong performance record.

The fifth series drew an average audience of six million viewers per episode on linear television and recorded an eight per cent rise in streaming hours on ITVX.

International sales have seen the programme distributed to more than 140 countries.