ITV confirms The Bay returning for 5th series

ITV has ordered a fifth series of 'The Bay'.

Daragh Carville will pen another season of the drama series, which will see the latest case for Morecambe MIU focusing on the emotionally complex life of a divided family.

ITV's Head of Drama Polly Hill said: "We’re delighted to be returning to Morecambe for another series of 'The Bay'.

"The series is a huge success story for ITV and we’re grateful to Catherine Oldfield, Daragh Carville and the team at Tall Story Pictures for continuing to create compelling stories and characters."

In the fourth series, Marsha Thomason, who portrays lead character Jenn Townsend, had settled into Morecambe CID alongside cast regulars Daniel Ryan, Erin Shanagher, Andrew Dowbiggin and Thomas Law.

Barry Sloane also returned as Chris Fischer, Jenn’s partner, and Georgia Scholes portrayed Chris’s daughter Erin, and David Carpenter and Emme Hayes were Conor and Maddie, Jenn’s children.

Jenn will be back in the fifth series, but she has to tread very carefully to keep a family onside as the father and mother of the victim are bitterly divorced.

Catherine Oldfield, Executive Producer, Tall Story Pictures, added: "Daragh and I couldn't be happier to be heading back to Morecambe with Marsha and the team for another case.

"We love making the show and so we're delighted to be producing another series for ITV and viewers at home and abroad."

Filming will start later this year on the new series of the ITV drama, and further casting news is to be announced.