Where is The Bay filmed? Series 3 filming locations for ITV crime drama - from Morecambe to Heysham

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Series three sees Marsha Thomason replace Morven Christie as the lead character

ITV’s The Bay has been a roaring success for the broadcaster, with series two averaging 7.5 million viewers when it was released in January 2021.

A year later and series three is set to premiere on ITV this January 12, with a new main character and some returning cast members.

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As well as the gripping storylines and brilliant British talent, the series has also showcased the town of Morecambe and it’s iconic bay.

So, where was series three filmed and did the cast return to Morecambe for another series? This is what you need to know.

Where was The Bay series three filmed?

The Bay series alludes to the location of the detective team who star in the fictional drama, based in Morecambe Bay.

Scenes from previous series have shown the high tides, picturesque promenade views and quaint feel of the town.

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Morecambe, North Lancashire

In March 2021, producers and cast members were spotted setting up their base in Heysham village car park, confirming that the latest series is also set in Morecambe.

Filming crew were seen setting up their base in Heysham Bay car park (Picture: Janet Packham photography)Filming crew were seen setting up their base in Heysham Bay car park (Picture: Janet Packham photography)
Filming crew were seen setting up their base in Heysham Bay car park (Picture: Janet Packham photography) | Janet Packham photography

The Bay has also put the seaside town of Morecambe back on the map, showcasing the roaring tides, elegant beaches and rugged landscape.

Following images circulating on social media back in March, confirmation came from Morecambe Bay partnership’s CEO, Susannah Bleakley.

The crew began filming in March 2021 in Morecambe, North Lancashire (Picture: Janet Packham photography)The crew began filming in March 2021 in Morecambe, North Lancashire (Picture: Janet Packham photography)
The crew began filming in March 2021 in Morecambe, North Lancashire (Picture: Janet Packham photography) | Picture: Janet Packham photography)

On 19 March, she spoke at an online community forum in the town to inform residents and business owners of the filming locations.

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The forum was held with Eden Project North leaders and residents, who gave their seal of approval and praised the series with reigniting interest in Morecambe and North Lancashire.

Confirming season three back in February 2021, Executive Producer Catherine Oldfield said: "Daragh and I couldn’t be more delighted by the audience response to The Bay.

“That ITV have recommissioned the show is fantastic… We can’t wait to get back to Morecambe to start filming again in that beautiful part of the world.”

Morecambe is a seaside town in the city of Lancaster, to the very south of the Lake District.

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The Bay is a large estuary, the largest expanse of intertidal mudflats and sand in the United Kingdom, covering a total area of 310km and home to 320,000 residents.

Morecambe Bay was a popular seaside resort in the mid-1900s quieted down with the boom of foreign holidays in the 1970s.

However, in recent years the promenade has become busy again with restaurants, cafes and

Speaking ahead of season two, back in 2021, writer Daragh Carville said: “We never lose sight of the bay itself, and I was always conscious – when I’m writing I’m always thinking: ‘Where geographically are we? And how does that relate to the bay?’ So you’ll notice that when people have businesses, they’re very very often at the prom.”

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Half-Moon Bay, Heysham

According to Ms Bleakley, the Ship Sculpture located at Half-Moon Bay in Heysham will be the newest landmark to feature in the show’s intro.

The SHIP sculpture was inspired by the history of Heysham Bay (Picture: Anna Gillespie)The SHIP sculpture was inspired by the history of Heysham Bay (Picture: Anna Gillespie)
The SHIP sculpture was inspired by the history of Heysham Bay (Picture: Anna Gillespie) | Anna Gillespie

She said: "Anna Gillespsie is the artist who did that amazing The Ship sculpture at Half-Moon Bay which is something that has come up for us recently.

"I had to sign off permission for The Bay crew to film the sculpture recently.

"It’s going to be used in the opening credits of the show. We have actually invited Anna to do a talk for us about the sculpture."

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The sculpture was erected in 2019 and was commissioned by Morecambe bay partnership as part of its Headlands to Headspace project.

The sculpture depicts two boat prows bursting out of the sand, with two men sitting upon the peaks of either side.

Gillespie said of her inspiration for the sculpture: “From the earliest Roman and Viking settlers, to travellers boarding Irish Sea ferries in the present day, Heysham, Lancashire has long been a strategic point of arrival, departure and human settlement.

“The sculpture SHIP at Half Moon Bay, in sight of Heysham Port, celebrates Morecambe Bay’s landscape and maritime heritage, and reflects the importance of seaborne trade in bringing news, innovation and shaping the character of the area.”

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The Bay series three premiered on ITV at 9pm on Wednesday 12 January, with new episodes every Wednesday evening.

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