The Bay is finally returning for series 5 - and it's felt like a pretty long wait since it was last on our screens.

The upcoming series sees Marsha Thomason reprise her role as DS Jenn Townsend in the ITV detective drama. But she's been AWOL since series 4 in 2023.

So why have we had to wait so long between series, and what can we expect in The Bay series 5? Here's everything we know about it, including plot, cast, start date, and what's changed.

What's the plot of The Bay series 5?

The fifth series sees Marsha Thomason remain as Morecambe MIU's Family Liaison Officer, DS Jenn Townsend.

An ITV synopsis tells us: "When 23-year-old university student, Hannah, is found dead on the edge of the docks, Morecambe's MIU team has another case to solve.

"Jenn, who is returning to work following the death of her father, pushes aside her own grief to support Hannah's bitterly divided family."

We're also told that, with the stakes of the investigation high, Jenn and the team uncover hidden friendships and secret liaisons as the anger rises in the student community.

ITV adds: "As intensity increases, and the team peel back the complicated layers of Hannah's life and the secrets within it, Jenn must reconcile her personal and professional struggles as she grapples to solve the case, come to terms with her own loss and build bridges with her family."

Where can I watch series 5 of The Bay? How many episodes is it?

Series 5 of The Bay is six episodes long, as is typical of the Morecambe-set drama.

Each episode will be one hour long, including adverts, and will be available to watch on ITV1 and ITVX on a weekly basis.

Series 1 to 4 are currently available to watch on ITVX.

Why did The Bay not come back in 2024?

The Bay fans have every reason to be a little starved of attention. It's been two years since series 4 started in March 2024.

So why the wait? Well, ITV secured a big-money partnership deal with BritBox in the US and Canada to launch the fifth series of The Bay overseas first.

So The Bay series 5 was marketed as a BritBox original as a result of it having its first-run on the streaming site Stateside.

Understandably, there was something of a backlash. Amid the criticism, actor Daniel Ryan said: "Of course series 5 of The Bay will be shown on UK terrestrial ITV, but we don't have a date yet. I will be most vocal about it when we do."

The show's writer Daragh Carville also commented that is had not been his decision...

Who's in the cast of The Bay series 5?

Actress Marsha Thomason returns as DS Jenn Townsend in the cast, a role she's played since 2022 when Morven Christie quit as DC Lisa Armstrong. Marsha is known for her roles in White Collar, Lost, and COBRA.

Cast regulars Daniel Ryan (Mount Pleasant), Erin Shanagher (Viewpoint), and Andrew Dowbiggin (Emmerdale) will also be back.

Barry Sloane returns as Jenn's partner Chris Fischer, while Georgia Scholes plays Chris' daughter Erin, and David Carpenter and Emme Hayes return as Conor and Maddie, Jenn's children.

Meanwhile, Happy Valley actress Olwen May will join the team in Morecambe as DC Lou McClaren, and Casualty's Suzanne Packer joins as Jenn's mum, Anne Townsend.

The guest cast includes Cold Feet star Leanne Best, Hijack's Neil Maskell, The Cafe's David Troughton, and Screw's Stephen Wight.

Waterloo Road actor Ceallach Spellman also joins the cast, alongside Derry Girls' Tara Lynne O'Neill who joins as Sinead, DI Tony Manning's new partner. About time Tony!

The Bay star Thomas Law quit the crime drama in 2023 to return to EastEnders. The actor left after three years of playing police detective Eddie Martin.

Will there be a season 6 of The Bay?

ITV has not yet confirmed whether The Bay will return for a series 6. Like multiple detective dramas, including Unforgotten, Death in Paradise, and Silent Witness, it has the potential to run for years.

That's as long as the writing stays sharp, and viewers keep on tuning in. Broadcasters rarely commission a new series until they know how the last one has done. So watch this space.

When is The Bay back? What's the start date?

ITV has not yet confirmed a start date for The Bay series 5, but we know it's very soon.

We're expecting it to land in February or March 2025.

The Bay series 5 is coming soon to ITV1. Series 1 to 4 is available to watch on ITVX.