Filming ‘The Bay’
Gallery of Photographs
Promotion photo for Series 5 with Sunderland Point in the background
In August and September of 2023 a film crew and actors for the highly popular ITV police show ‘The Bay’ spent almost three weeks at Sunderland Point. They were filming scenes for the fifth series of the program which had been scheduled for release in the Spring of 2024. The series will now be seen on British television in March 2025.
In this gallery are photos taken by residents of the Point during the filming. The crew and cast welcomed the interest shown and were patient with explanations and the occasional selfie.
Please do not copy. The photographs are copyright to villagers.
Click on any image to enlarge.
There are a couple of videos at the end of the page
Filming at the Point
This map shows the locations of the support facilities and where the filming took place.
Map created by Paul Hatton
1. Torrential rain at the start of filming
2. Making a start in the wet: Photo Philip Smith.
3. Heavy rain goes on and on.
4. All in raincoats as Marsha Thomason (DS Jenn Townsend) enters the police car.
5. Phil Smith and his two boys Joe and Josh flip over their boat ready for a scene: Photo Carole Roberts
6. Philip and James Walker prepare the boat for the scene: Photo Carole Roberts.
7. Almost ready for filming: Photo Philip Smith.
8. David Troughton (Tommy Campbell) and crew - some final touches: Photo Alan Smith.
9. It's dry at last - even though the sky looks ominous
10. Set design at number 20
11. Number 20 looking the part: Photo Gemma McGungle
12. Film crew and supporting equipment on First Terrace.
13. A welcome break for the crew in the sunshine on First Terrace between takes.
14. The main unit base at Heysham Car Park
15. Preparing the police car at the Globe car park for filming on the tidal causeway
16. Filming at the Sunderland Point end of the causeway.
17. Filming at Glasson Dock: Photo Philip Smith
18. A large black screen brought to the set.
19. Actors Erin Shanagher (DS Karen Hobson) and Leanne Best (seated - Julie Ashworth).
20. Deep in conversation: Leanne Best and Erin Shanagher (right)
21. Filming a scene outside number 9
22. Setting up the police car outside number 9 - and a touch of make-up for Marsha in the background
23. A last polish of the police car.
24. Positioning camera on the quay to capture the river.
25. Filming Marsha Thomason (DS Jenn Townsend) taking a phone call
26. Equipment trolley opposite stone pillar
27. A quick rehearsal in the yard, Leanne Best (facing) and Stephen Wight (back to us)
28. Action! A fight takes place: Photo Alan Smith
29. Leanne and Marsha (right) keeping warm as the set is prepared
30. The black screen moved again.
31. Another screen at Scottie’s (number 4): Photo Scottie Wilson
32. Within the screen at number 4: Photo Scottie Wilson
33. Black umbrellas protecting equipment in the September sun.
34. A quick script check
35. Actors David Troughton (Tommy Campbell), Leanne Best and Erin Shanagher chatting in the sunshine.
36. Some of the hi-tech equipment stowed in the Reading Room.
37. Mission Church - tables laid out for lunch. Photo Simon Macauley.
38. Crew take lunch sitting on the quay
39. Lunch on the Quay at high tide for the hard-working crew
40. Refreshment station at Scottie’s (number 4)
41. Moving another of the screens on First Terrace.
42. Ceallach Spellman (Bradley Dawson) preparing for the next shot.
43. Ceallach on the wharf edge
44. Ceallach happy to be photographed.
45. Actor Stephen Wight (Craig Ashworth) by the stone pillar
46. Actor Leanne Best (Julie Ashworth) - pleased to be photographed (and happy to be included in selfies).
47. A quick rehearsal for Marsha
48. Marsha smiling during a pause between takes: Photo Alan Smith
49. Filming Ceallach and Marsha
50. Make-up touches for Marsha: Photo Alan Smith
51. Marsha in shot Ceallach behind
52. Filming the scene with Marsha and Ceallach
53. Watching Ceallach walk away
54. Number 9 ready for filming - it was used as the home of the Ashworth family, whose world is turned upside down when daughter Hannah is found dead: Photo: Carole Roberts
55. Interior of No9 - in the series, the home of the Ashworths: Photo Carole Roberts
56. The kitchen at No9 ready for filming: Photo Carole Roberts
57: Room at No 9, First Terrace which served as Hannah's bedroom: Photo Carole Roberts
58: The bedroom of Hannah, whose murder provides the riveting storyline for The Bay’s fifth series: Photo Carole Roberts
59. Ceallach and publicity stills photographer.
60. Taking publicity shots of Marsha
61. Marsha with the publicity stills photographer
62. Martin Campbell the producer with one of his technicians
63. Henry Jepson the Location Manager (left) and Martin Campbell the Producer
64. Producer Martin Campbell chats to actors and crew
65. Prep for a close-up through the window at number 9
66. Crew on a break outside number 11
67. One of the equipment maestros
68. Time to check messages.
69. Preparing a scene at the bottom of the ramp between the Terraces
70. Director of episodes 1-3 Shaun Evans, giving guidance on set.
71. The 'injured' actor happy to be photographed.
72. Equipment at number 20
73. Preparing to film at number 20
74. Screen moving again.....
75. The magic of Sunderland Point in the warm sunshine on First Terrace: Photo Alan Smith
76. Time for some of the crew to take in the tranquillity of Sunderland Point under a big sky
A couple of videos taken during the filming
Video of Marsha Thomason as DS Jenn Townsend taking a call during episode one.
Video of Philip, Luke and Jake Smith helped by James Walker upturning a boat for an early scene in Episode 1: Credit Carole Roberts