Sky Confirms Under Salt Marsh Will Continue With Rafe Spall Leading a Dark New Mystery in Scotland

Sky is returning to the haunting world of Under Salt Marsh, but the next chapter will leave the Welsh coastline behind. Following the success of the atmospheric crime drama, Rafe Spall will reprise his role as Detective Eric Bull for a new six-part story set in an isolated Scottish mining village where another murder investigation threatens to expose secrets from his own past.

The currently untitled follow-up will once again come from creator, writer and director Claire Oakley, with Little Door Productions producing in association with Sky Studios. Filming is scheduled to begin in Scotland in 2027, although Sky has not yet announced a release date.

Under Salt Marsh became one of Sky’s biggest recent drama successes

The renewal follows an impressive response to the first series, which premiered on Sky and NOW on January 30, 2026.

Set in the fictional Welsh coastal town of Morfa Halen, Under Salt Marsh starred Kelly Reilly as Jackie Ellis, a former detective who had become a teacher, alongside Spall as her estranged former police partner, Detective Eric Bull.

The six-part mystery began as a once-in-a-generation storm approached the community. Jackie made a devastating discovery that reopened a three-year-old cold case connected to the disappearance of her niece Nessa — an investigation that had previously cost Jackie both her career and the trust of her family.

Bull returned to Morfa Halen to lead the investigation, forcing the former partners to work together as they searched for answers before the incoming storm could destroy vital evidence.

The drama also featured Jonathan Pryce, Naomi Yang, Dinita Gohil, Brian Gleeson, Kimberley Nixon, Harry Lawtey, Mark Stanley, Dino Fetscher, Lizzie Annis, Rhodri Meilir and Julian Lewis Jones.

Filming took place entirely in Wales, with locations across north-west Wales including Barmouth and Fairbourne helping create the distinctive coastal landscape that became such an important part of the series.

The audience response quickly gave Sky reason to return

Under Salt Marsh proved to be more than simply a critical success.

Its opening episode attracted 1.8 million viewers during its first seven days, making it Sky’s strongest Original drama launch since The Day of the Jackal.

Sky has since confirmed that the series reached a 28-day audience of 2.5 million, becoming the broadcaster’s biggest entertainment title of 2026 to date.

Critical reaction was similarly enthusiastic. The Guardian described the drama as “perfect winter telly,” while British Vogue suggested it “could be the best British crime drama in years.” The Irish News, meanwhile, called it “the best thing on TV right now.”

That combination of strong viewing figures and critical praise has now opened the door for Bull’s story to continue beyond Morfa Halen.

Detective Eric Bull is heading to Scotland

Rather than simply recreating the first series in the same location, the new chapter will move Bull into an entirely different community.

Following the events of Under Salt Marsh, the detective relocates to a remote Scottish mining village weighed down by secrets.

There, another murder demands his attention.

But this investigation will apparently become far more personal than an ordinary case. Sky says the mystery will bring Bull closer to discovering the truth about his own history, suggesting viewers will finally learn considerably more about the enigmatic detective.

The move also signals an intriguing evolution for the series.

The Welsh landscape was fundamental to the identity of Under Salt Marsh, with the sea, marshes and approaching storm functioning almost as characters themselves. The follow-up will attempt something similar with a completely different environment, using an isolated Scottish mining community as the backdrop for Bull’s next investigation.

Claire Oakley promises another mystery filled with buried secrets

Oakley said she was excited to move the story into another distinctive corner of Britain.

“I am thrilled to be taking the series to another unique part of the UK where we explore a gripping mystery and unearth buried secrets,” she said.

She also praised Spall’s portrayal of Bull, saying the actor brought the detective’s distinctive personality to life so effectively that continuing his story was “an absolute pleasure.”

Oakley will again play a major creative role in the production, serving as creator, writer and director.

For the new series, she will write alongside In-Sook Chappell, Jonathan Harbottle and Scott Graham. Zoranna Piggott will serve as series producer, while Oakley and Elwen Rowlands are among the executive producers alongside Megan Spanjian for Sky.

Sky says audiences connected deeply with the first story

Meghan Lyvers, Managing Director of Scripted Originals at Sky, said the decision to revisit Oakley’s world followed the strong connection viewers formed with the original drama.

According to Lyvers, Oakley’s ability to create complex characters alongside a powerful sense of place was central to the show’s appeal.

She also singled out Spall’s performance, praising the “complexity and humanity” he brought to Bull and expressing enthusiasm about placing the character at the center of the new story.

Elwen Rowlands, CEO and executive producer at Little Door Productions, similarly pointed toward the first series’ combination of setting, character and mystery as a major reason audiences responded so strongly.

Rowlands said the follow-up will introduce viewers to a new community and a fresh mystery while expanding the emotional and cinematic world established by Under Salt Marsh.

Will Kelly Reilly return?

One major question remains unanswered: whether Kelly Reilly will return as Jackie Ellis.

Sky’s announcement specifically confirms Rafe Spall as Detective Eric Bull, but does not announce Reilly or any other returning cast members for the second chapter.

That fits with the apparent direction of the follow-up. Instead of returning directly to Jackie and Morfa Halen, the series will follow Bull into a completely new location populated by another community with its own secrets.

Further casting details have not yet been revealed.

When will the next chapter of Under Salt Marsh be released?

There is currently no confirmed premiere date.

Production is scheduled to begin in Scotland during 2027, meaning viewers will have to wait for further information about when Bull’s new investigation will arrive on screens.

Once completed, the six-part drama will be available through Sky and streaming service NOW in the UK, Ireland and Italy, while NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution will handle international sales.

For fans of the original, however, the most important detail is already confirmed: Under Salt Marsh is not finished.

Its next chapter will exchange the windswept marshes of Wales for an isolated Scottish mining village, placing Rafe Spall’s Eric Bull at the center of another murder mystery — one that could finally reveal the secrets the detective himself has been carrying.