ITV's The Bay issues major casting announcement as Derry Girls star joins line-up

Derry Girls proved to be a smash hit (Image: Channel 4)

Details about the fifth series of The Bay have been unveiled, including the introduction of new cast members. The upcoming season, which is yet to receive a UK release date, will feature Marsha Thomason reprising her role as DS Jenn Townsend, alongside regulars Daniel Ryan, Erin Shanagher and Andrew Dowbiggin.

Joining the cast of the ITV show are several fresh faces, including Derry Girls actress Tara Lynne O'Neil, 49, known for her role as Mary Quinn in the acclaimed Channel 4 series. Tara will take on the character of Sinead, DI Tony Manning's (Daniel Ryan) new partner in The Bay.

In addition, Happy Valley's Olwen May has joined the cast, while Barry Sloane reprises his role as Chris Fischer. Georgia Scholes plays Chris' daughter Erin, with David Carpenter and Emme Hayes returning as Jenn's children Conor and Maddie.

They are joined by Casualty's Suzanne Packer, who portrays Jenn's mother Anne Townsend, reports Lancs Live.

The synopsis for the fifth series of The Bay reads: "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.

Tara Lynne ONeill is joining the cast (Image: Getty)

"With the stakes of the investigation high, Jenn and the team dig deeper into the case, uncovering hidden friendships and secret liaisons as anger rises in the student community.

"As the 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."

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Other guest stars include Leanne Best, Neil Maskell, Stephen Wight and Ceallach Spellman.

The Bay has some new cast members (Image: Jonathan Birch/REX/Shutterstock)

Polly Hill, ITV's Head of Drama, expressed in a statement: "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 [executive producer] Catherine Oldfield, [co-creator/writer] Daragh Carville and the team at Tall Story Pictures for continuing to create compelling stories and characters."

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Catherine Oldfield 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."

All four series of The Bay so far are available to stream on ITVX.