Under Salt Marsh cast includes legends from Yellowstone, Slow Horses, and Industry
The locations! The cast! The drama! Under Salt Marsh is EPIC.
Under Salt Marsh is THE crime drama to watch this week – trust us on this – and not just because the cast is pretty much as good as it gets.
The atmospheric murder mystery, filmed and set in the Wales, centres on a small coastal community which is shattered by the tragic death of child. And it’s not the first time a tragedy has occurred in the close-knit village of Morfa Halen.
The backdrop is a “once-in-a-generation storm” rolling in from the sea. And, crucially, threatening to wash the evidence away. It’s a compelling premise, with a brilliantly layered script brought to life by a frankly sublime cast.
So who plays who in the cast of Under Salt Marsh on Sky Atlantic? Here’s everything you need to know.
Under Salt Marsh cast: Kelly Reilly plays Jackie Ellis
Who is Jackie Ellis?
Former police detective Jackie Ellis is now working as a teacher in Morfa Halen. She is the person who finds the dead body of Cefin, one of her pupils, and it brings back awful trauma.
Three years ago, her nine-year-old niece, Nessa Taman, also went missing and Jackie, then a police detective, wasn’t able to solve the case. The impact of it led Jackie to leave the force, suffer a breakdown and become estranged from her sister, Nessa’s mother.
A synopsis tell us: “It reopens the wounds of a three-year-old cold case which cost her both her career and her family’s trust.”
What TV and films has Kelly Reilly been in?
Chessington-born Kelly Reilly, 48, is absolutely stunning in everything she does. She’s the constant scene-stealer, although she has some stiff competition here. She’s probably best known for playing badass Beth Dutton in Yellowstone, an iconic role she’s played since 2018.
Kelly’s been on our screens since Prime Suspect: Inner Circles. Subsequent early roles included Clowance Poldark in the TV movie Poldark, and Nancy in Wonderful You, before she won the life-changing role of DI Anna Travis in the detective drama Above Suspicion with Ciaran Hinds.
Kelly led the cast of Black Box as Dr Catherine Black in 2014, and is also known for playing Jordan Semyon in True Detective series 2 (arguably the best), and Kerra in Britannia.
Really, it’s her film roles that catapulted her into stardom. She played snobby Caroline Bingley in 2005’s Pride & Prejudice, before appearing in the terrifying horror Eden Lake. Other notable film roles include Sherlock Holmes, Flight, Calvary, and A Haunting in Venice.
In real life, Kelly is married to US financier Kyle Baugher – after a brief relationship with Guy Ritchie – and they split their time between the UK and the States.
Rafe Spall stars as DS Eric Bull
Who is Detective Eric Bull?
Detective Eric Bull is a morally ambiguous character when he first arrives in Morfa Halen to investigate Cefin’s death. When Jackie was in the police force, Bull was her partner – and it didn’t end well for them. However, Jackie is forced to reluctantly reunite with her estranged police partner on “an investigation that will shake Morfa Halen to its core”.
He’s brusque manner doesn’t win him any friends. Not that he had any anyway.
What is Rafe Spall famous for?
London-born Rafe Spall, 42, is simply brilliant as DS Eric Bull in the cast of Under Salt Marsh. We’d argue it’s one of his most compelling roles to date.
As well as being Timothy’s son, Rafe is very much famous in his own right, and is handy at both comedic and dramatic roles (just like his pa). In comedy, Rafe is probably best known for playing Jason Ross in sitcom Trying, as well as Pete Griffiths in Pete Versus Life, and Reg Whitehead in Roadies.
But we’d argue it’s his dramatic roles that really have teeth. He played heinous villain David Melmont in The English, DS Nick Bailey in the brilliant The Salisbury Poisonings, and – most recently – Steven Burk in under-hyped drama Smoke.
He’s also been in some blockbuster films, including The Big Short, Life of Pi, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Men in Black: International, and Prometheus.
In real life, he’s divorced from former Hollyoaks actress Elize du Toit, with whom he has three children. He’s now in a relationship with his Trying co-star Esther Smith, and they had a child together in 2024.
Under Salt Marsh cast: Harry Lawtey portrays Dylan Rees
Who is Dylan in Under Salt Marsh?
Dylan Rees is Cara’s brother, James’ uncle, and crucially, Jackie’s secret lover. He works for Mac Jones at Sunnyside, rebuilding the sea wall, and lives alone on the edge of Morfa. At first, he comes across as a bad boy, but his feelings for Jackie run deep, and he’s fiercely protective of her and his family.
What was Harry Lawtey been in before?
Oxford-born Harry Lawtey, 29, is probably best known for playing Robert Spearing in sexy banking drama Industry. He first played the role in 2020’s series 1, and appeared in three series until leaving in 2024. He was sadly absent in the recent 2026 series 4. Although this was largely due to his other commitments, such as filming the six-part thriller Under Salt Marsh.
Harry is also known for playing Andrew in Marcella series 2, Maurice in The Letter for the King, and Robert Blakiston in Magpie Murders. Other notable roles include Ben in You & Me.
Filmwise, Harry portrayed Harvey Dent in the 2024 film Joker: Folie à Deux with Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix. And, a year later, he starred opposite Toby Jones in Mr Burton. Anybody else think he’d make an excellent Bond?
And, no, the tattoo on his neck in Under Salt Marsh is not real. As for his personal life, little is known, although he was previously linked to royal photographer Hugo Burnand’s daughter Una.
Brian Gleeson stars as Mac Jones
Who is Mac Jones?
Mac is Dylan’s boss, and Nisha’s husband. He lives with Nisha and their one-year-old son, Dash, in a house slightly outside Morfa. It’s their “dream home” that they are renovating. A family man with aspirations of reinvigorating Morfa, he is in charge of the rebuilding of the community funded sea wall.
What has Brian Gleeson been in before?
Dublin-born Brian Gleeson, 38, is part of the famous Gleeson family. His dad is award-winning actor Brendan, and his brother is The Paper’s Domhnall Gleeson.
Bad Sisters fans will remember Brian as Thomas Claffin in both series of the black comedy drama. He’s also known for playing Jimmy McCavern in Peaky Blinders, Hughie Power in Love/Hate, and Ross in The Lazarus Project. He’s also appeared in TV series including Top Boy, The Mandalarian, Frank of Ireland, Resistance, and Rebellion.
More recently, the actor played Mark Ellis in the 2025 Sky Original drama Atomic.
Under Salt Marsh cast: Jonathan Pryce portrays Soloman Bevan
Who is Soloman Bevan?
Farmer and Bevan family patriarch, Soloman runs the Bevan Farm in the hills overlooking Morfa Halen. An emotional man, Solomon prides himself on being self- sufficient, loyal to his family, and stoic – even as his traditional values face increased challenges.
What is Jonathan Pryce famous for?
Jonathan Pryce is one of the Under Salt Marsh cast members who is actually Welsh, having been born on Carmel, Flintshire 78 years ago.
Of course, he should need no introduction. He has a long established film and TV career, having started in 1972. The actor rose to prominence in Terry Gilliam’s satirical dark comedy Brazil, before becoming a James Bond villain in Tomorrow Never Dies. He famously joined the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise as Governor Weatherby Swann.
In 2019, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Pope Francis in The Two Popes. He appeared opposite Anthony Hopkins.
On TV, he’s played Prince Philip in The Crown, High Sparrow in Game of Thrones, Sir Stuart Strange in Taboo, Cardinal Wolsey in Wolf Hall, and David Cartwright in Slow Horses.
Kimberley Nixon is Shell Hill née Cheryl Bevan
Who is Shell Hill in Under Salt Marsh?
Shel is Cefin’s mother, and Solomon’s daughter. A local butcher, she lives with her husband Danny Hill and their three children Nic, Noa, and Cefin. Cefin’s tragic death destroys the family.
What is Kimberley Nixon known for?
Bristol-born Kimberley Nixon, 40, plays Shell Hill in the crime drama, but she’s probably best known for her comedic roles…
She made her TV debut as Sophy Hutton in the period drama Cranford in 2007, before winning the role of Lindsay in the film Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.
After several years appearing in UK and US films including Wild Child, Easy Virtue and Cherry Bomb, Kimberley began appearing on TV. Her early roles included supporting performances in series such as Poirot, Law & Order: UK, and Midsomer Murders.
Between Josie Jones in student sitcom Fresh Meat. She went on to win the
Other notable roles include Harry Bennett-Edwards in Critical, Alison White in New Blood, and Lush in The Tuckers. More recently, Kimberley has portrayed Joan in Shardlake, Jess Noman in Queenie, Beatrice in Peacock, Lettie in My Lady Jane, and Eleri Abbott in The Guest.
The actress has spoken openly about her autism and ADHD diagnosis, as well as her battle with OCD.
Under Salt Marsh cast: Mark Stanley stars as Danny Hill
Who is Danny Hill?
Danny Hill is Cefin’s father, who runs the local butcher. Shell fell for the gentle and pensive Danny by contrast to her stoic, masculine family. Danny feels Cefin’s loss acutely.
What is Mark Stanley famous for?
West Yorkshire-born Mark Stanley, 37, stars as Danny Hill and he’s not stranger to dramatic roles. The actor is perhaps best known for playing abusive husband and eventual killer Rob Hepworth in the final series of Happy Valley.
Mark has been on our screens ever since 2012, but we all took notice when he portrayed Grenn in the major HBO series Game of Thrones. He went on to play Bill Sikes in Dickensian between 2015 and 2016, and PC Andrew Powell in the powerful Sean Bean drama Broken in 2017. Roles in Love, Lies and Records, Little Women, and The Little Drummer Girl followed.
In 2019, he took on the role of Lord Babington in the ITV series Sanditon. Mark then shed the period costumes for a police badge, when he played police detective Andy Craig in the miniseries Honour in 2020 opposite Keeley Hawes. Other significant roles include Colin Caffell in White House Farm, Hugo Duffy in Criminal: UK, and Henry VIII in Anne Boleyn.
The Bay fans might recognise him as Warren Pryce from series 4 in 2022. That same year, he played Mark Darwin in The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe. A year later, he portrayed journalist Dan Davies in the Jimmy Savile drama The Reckoning.
More recently, actor Mark Stanley has played DI Thom Youngblood, Lana’s ex-boyfriend, in Trigger Point series 1 and 2. Viewers will know DCI Youngblood fell to his death after being pushed down a lift shaft.
Who else appears in the huge ensemble cast of Under Salt Marsh?
Welsh actor William Thomas stars as Jackie’s dad Owen Ellis. A jobbing actor of 50 years, he’s known for his roles in The Life and Times of David Lloyd George, The Magnificent Evans, We Are Seven, Fun at the Funeral Parlour, and Grass. He famously portrayed Geraint Cooper in Torchwood, and recently starred as Barry in Mammoth.
Dino Fetscher plays Environment Institute worker Gareth Morgan. Cardiff-born Dino is best known for playing Alec Wayfield in Paranoid, Stanley in Humans, and Glawen Curr in Foundation. He also played Thomas Beech in Gentleman Jack, and DC Marty McGreggor in Fool Me Once.
Julian Lewis Jones stars as Osian Northam. Bangor-born Julian recently portrayed Simon Sharp in The Guest, and is known for his roles in Dope Girls, The Wheel of Time, House of the Dragon, and Bregus. Of course, Stella fans will know him as Karl.
Naomi Yang portrays DC Jess Deng. The actress is best known for playing Maggy in Wolfe, Li in Peaky Blinders, Mae Zhang in Maternal, and Hiroka McGregor on DI Ray. She recently played Kate Nisbet in Nightsleeper, and DS Irene Kim in Protection.
A largely Welsh cast comes together in Under Salt Marsh
Rhodri Meilir stars as Ned Bevan, Solomon’s eldest son and a farmer. Rhodri is famous for playing Alfie Butts in My Family, Dylan Harris in Hidden, and Owain in Living a Lie.
Actress Dinita Gohil plays Mac’s wife Nisha Jones née Taman. The actress (pictured below) is known for playing Sami Gilani in The Clink, Zoe in Treason, and Amara Dhawan in DI Ray. More recently, she portrayed Cherry in The Road Trip, and Fate Maiden in The Sandman.
India Mullen stars as Jackie’s younger sister Lydia Taman née Ellis. The actress is known for playing Katie Kiely in Red Rock, Peggy in Normal People, Samantha in Brassic, and Lisa Wallace in The Vanishing Triangle.
Eiry Thomas portrays forensic pathologist Irene Hassan. The Welsh actress has appeared in Out There, The One That Got Away, The Pact, Keeping Faith, Living a Lie, and The Accident.
Seeta Indrani plays Ira Taman. The actress is known for playing Sita Sharma in Albion Market, WPC Datta in The Bill, Dr Lily Hassan in Doctors, and Miss Chand in The Larkins.
Full cast list for Under Salt Marsh
Kelly Reily stars as Jackie Ellis.
Rafe Spall plays DS Eric Bull.
Harry Lawtey portrays Dylan Rees.
Brian Gleeson stars as Mac Jones.
Jonathan Pryce portrays Soloman Bevan.
Kimberley Nixon is Shell Hill née Cheryl Bevan.
Mark Stanley stars as Danny Hill.
Brian Gleeson as Mac Jones.
Dino Fetscher plays Gareth Morgan.
Julian Lewis Jones stars as Osian Northam.
Naomi Yang as DC Jess Deng.
Rhodri Meilir stars as Ned Bevan.
William Thomas plays Owen Ellis.
India Mullen plays Lydia Taman née Ellis.
Eiry Thomas stars as Irene Hassan.
Seeta Indrani plays Ira Taman.
Dodger actor Sam C. Wilson portrays Bryn Bevan.
Rocket’s Island actress Leisa Gwenllian plays Kath Bevan.
The Winter King’s Gwïon Morris Jones stars as Eddie Bevan.
Young actor Jack Thomas-Humphreys portrays Cefin Hill in his second ever TV role.
Osian Emlyn stars as James Rees in his first ever TV role.
The Witcher: Blood Origin actress Lizzie Annis plays Cara Rees.
King Gary’s Morgan Watkins portrays Kieran Benbow.
Coldwater’s Amara Atwal portrays missing girl Nessa Taman.
Brassic’s Janeks Babidorics is August Antonov.
MobLand’s Dritan Kastrati plays Victor Antonov.
Home Invasion’s Marilyn Cutts portrays Carys Northam.
Martyn Ellis – aka Friar Tuck in The New Adventures of Robin Hood – stars as Jim the Chippy.
Theatre actress Charlie Josephine portrays Sunny Wray.
Waterloo Road and Emmerdale star Osian Morgan portrays Alfie Bevan.
Coronation Street’s Rachel Lumberg stars as Kirsty Splendour.
