
Under Salt Marsh TV Show: Guide to the Crime Thriller
You think you’re walking into a familiar whodunit when a former detective finds the body of her own young pupil in a Welsh marsh. Under Salt Marsh takes that setup into darker territory—a six-part thriller where an approaching storm mirrors the pressure on a town forced to confront old secrets. This guide lays out everything you need to know about the cast, the story, the episode schedule, and exactly where you can watch it.
Series name: Under Salt Marsh · Genre: British crime thriller miniseries · Lead actors: Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall · Number of episodes: 6 · Broadcast network: Sky Atlantic · Premiere date: January 30, 2026
Quick snapshot
- Six-part British crime thriller created by Claire Oakley (Sky (official broadcaster))
- Kelly Reilly plays Jackie Ellis; Rafe Spall plays Detective Eric Bull (Sky)
- Set in the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen (Sky)
- Premiered January 30, 2026 on Sky Atlantic (Sky)
- Whether the series will later appear on Netflix or Prime Video (no official cross-platform deal announced)
- Exact air time for each episode outside the UK (viewer confirmation not yet published)
- If a second season is planned (the series is billed as a limited miniseries)
- Jan 30, 2026 – First two episodes premiere on Sky Atlantic (Sky)
- Feb 6, 13, 20, 27 – Weekly releases of episodes 3–6 (Sky season guide)
- Full series available on demand via Sky Go and NOW from Jan 30 (Sky season guide)
- Episode 6 (finale) released February 27, 2026 (Sky season guide)
- Digital Spy reports strong early interest in the Welsh crime drama (Digital Spy (entertainment news))
- Potential international streaming deals may be announced later in 2026 (Sky season guide)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Premiere date | January 30, 2026 |
| Network | Sky Atlantic |
| Number of episodes | 6 |
| Setting | Fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen |
| Lead actors | Kelly Reilly, Rafe Spall |
| Creator | Claire Oakley |
| Episode length | Approximately 45 minutes (Sky season guide) |
| Rating | 15 (Sky) |
The table above collects the essential specifications for anyone planning a first watch.
Is Under Salt Marsh on Netflix?
Current Netflix status
- Under Salt Marsh is not currently available on Netflix. Sky explicitly states the series will not appear on Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+ (Sky (official broadcaster)).
Alternate streaming platforms
- The only legal streaming options in the UK are Sky Atlantic (live), Sky Go (on-demand), and NOW (streaming pass). No other platforms have been announced (Sky season guide).
The implication: if you’re hoping to binge this on Netflix, you’ll need to look elsewhere—or wait for a potential post-broadcast window that hasn’t been confirmed.
Where can I watch Under Salt Marsh?
Sky Atlantic access
- Under Salt Marsh airs on Sky Atlantic. UK viewers with a Sky subscription can watch live or record it (Sky).
- Sky Go subscribers can stream episodes on demand from the premiere date onward (Sky season guide).
BBC and Prime availability
- No confirmed release on BBC iPlayer or Prime Video. Sky has not licensed the series to any other UK broadcaster at this time (Sky).
- Viewers outside the UK currently have no official streaming path; international distribution has not been announced.
The trade-off: Sky’s exclusivity gives the broadcaster a strong draw, but leaves cord-cutters and non-UK audiences in limbo until a wider deal emerges.
How many episodes are there of Under Salt Marsh?
Episode count
- The series consists of six episodes, making it a complete miniseries—not an ongoing show (Sky season guide).
Episode length
- Each episode runs approximately 45 minutes, allowing the story to develop across roughly 4.5 hours of total screen time (Sky season guide).
The pattern: a tight, self-contained arc that doesn’t overstay its welcome—ideal for a weekend binge for those who can access it.
When can I watch Under Salt Marsh?
Premiere date
- The first two episodes premiered on Friday, January 30, 2026, on Sky Atlantic (Sky).
Broadcast schedule
- Episodes 3 through 6 were released weekly every Friday: February 6, 13, 20, and the finale on February 27, 2026 (Sky season guide).
- The full series is now available on demand via Sky Go and NOW (Sky season guide).
Why this matters: for viewers who missed the weekly release, the on-demand option removes the urgency—but the window is still exclusive to Sky’s ecosystem.
Who is in the cast of Under Salt Marsh?
Lead actors
- Kelly Reilly stars as Jackie Ellis, a former detective turned teacher (Sky).
- Rafe Spall plays Detective Eric Bull, the lead investigator (Sky).
Supporting cast
- Jonathan Pryce appears as Solomon Bevan (Sky).
- Naomi Yang plays Jess Deng (Sky).
- The ensemble is primarily Welsh and British, adding authenticity to the Morfa Halen setting.
The catch: while the leads are well-known (Reilly from Yellowstone, Spall from The Last Vermeer), the supporting roles bring fresh faces that ground the small-town atmosphere.
What is the plot of Under Salt Marsh?
Crime storyline
- The story opens when Jackie Ellis, now a teacher, discovers the body of her nine-year-old pupil, Cefin, in a marsh. The death appears to be a drowning but soon reveals deeper secrets (Sky).
- Detective Eric Bull returns to Morfa Halen to lead the investigation, reopening a three-year-old cold case that cost Jackie her career and her family’s trust (YouTube promo).
Setting and location
- All events unfold in the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen, a close-knit community fractured by an unspeakable crime (Sky).
- A massive storm approaches during the investigation, ratcheting up tension and isolating the town.
What this means: the plot weaves a classic detective puzzle with a ticking-clock storm element, giving the series a distinctive narrative pressure that goes beyond a standard procedural.
Timeline signal
- – Guardian review published; first two episodes premiere on Sky Atlantic (Sky)
- – Episode 3 released (Sky season guide)
- – Episode 4 released (Sky season guide)
- – Episode 5 released (Sky season guide)
- – Episode 6 (finale) released; full series now on demand (Sky season guide)
What we know and what’s still uncertain
Confirmed facts
- Under Salt Marsh is a six-part Sky Original crime thriller (Sky)
- Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall are the lead actors (Sky)
- The series premiered on January 30, 2026 (Sky)
- Each episode is about 45 minutes; total 6 episodes (Sky season guide)
- Not available on Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+ (Sky)
What’s unclear
- Whether the series will later appear on Netflix or Prime after the exclusivity window
- Exact UK air times for each episode (not publicly listed in all TV guides)
- If a second season will be produced (currently billed as a limited series)
- International streaming deals outside the UK
Critical reaction and promotional voice
“The series centers on a close-knit Welsh town fractured by an unspeakable crime, with a three-year-old cold case that cost Jackie her career and her family’s trust.”
— YouTube promotional video for Under Salt Marsh (Sky / NOW)
“Under Salt Marsh will not be available on Netflix, Prime Video, or Disney+.”
— Sky (official broadcaster) statement on exclusivity (Sky)
For UK viewers who want to experience this taut, atmospheric thriller, the decision is clear: subscribe to Sky or NOW, or risk missing one of 2026’s most talked-about British crime dramas. For international audiences, the wait for a streaming deal leaves only one option—patience, or a trip across the Atlantic with a VPN and a Sky pass.
Related reading: Best Shows on Netflix: Top 10 Series to Watch Right Now
Fans curious about the moody coastal scenery can explore the filming locations for the series to see where the drama unfolds.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I watch Under Salt Marsh online?
You can stream it on Sky Atlantic via a Sky subscription, on Sky Go (on-demand), or on NOW with a streaming pass. No other online platforms currently carry the series.
Is Under Salt Marsh on BBC iPlayer?
No. Sky has not licensed the series to the BBC, and it is not available on iPlayer.
How many episodes are there?
Six episodes. Each runs about 45 minutes, for a total runtime of approximately 4.5 hours.
Who plays the main detective?
Rafe Spall plays Detective Eric Bull. Kelly Reilly plays the former detective turned teacher, Jackie Ellis.
What is the plot of Under Salt Marsh?
Jackie Ellis, a former detective now teaching at a local school, finds the body of her nine-year-old pupil Cefin. Detective Eric Bull returns to the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen to investigate, reopening a cold case that ruined Jackie’s career. A storm approaches as the investigation deepens.
When did Under Salt Marsh premiere?
The first two episodes premiered on January 30, 2026, on Sky Atlantic. The finale aired on February 27, 2026.
Is the series available in the US?
As of now, no US streaming or broadcast deal has been announced. The series is exclusive to Sky and NOW in the UK.