Few new crime dramas land with the kind of quiet buzz that makes you check your streaming queue before the credits roll. If you’ve been eyeing Under Salt Marsh — a Welsh-set thriller starring Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall — you’ve probably already run into the same questions: where to watch, how many episodes there are, and whether it’s tucked away on Netflix or BBC. This guide pinpoints exactly where the series lives, what the critics are saying, and what you need to know before you press play.

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Creator: Claire Oakley · Lead actors: Kelly Reilly, Rafe Spall · Genre: Crime thriller · Format: Miniseries · Initial release: 2026 · Main streaming platform: Sky / NOW

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Sky original miniseries with 6 episodes (Wikipedia)
  • Available on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV (BBC Must Watch)
  • Cast includes Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall (IMDb)
2What’s unclear
  • Whether a second season will be produced (currently framed as a miniseries)
  • Exact future Netflix availability
  • Filming locations beyond Wales
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
Key facts about Under Salt Marsh
Detail Value
Full title Under Salt Marsh
Year 2026
Number of episodes 6
Network Sky Atlantic
Streaming (UK) NOW TV
Creator Claire Oakley
Lead actors Kelly Reilly, Rafe Spall

Where can you watch Under Salt Marsh?

Watch on Sky and NOW

The miniseries airs on Sky Atlantic and is available to stream via NOW TV with a subscription. The BBC’s Must Watch reviews roundup confirmed the show’s Sky origin and included it in a January 30, 2026 preview segment (BBC Must Watch). Social posts from Binge in February 2026 urged viewers to “stream a new episode now,” signalling that episodes were released weekly rather than all at once (Binge on Facebook).

Is it available on Netflix?

No. As of early 2026, Under Salt Marsh is not available on Netflix. All available evidence — from IMDb’s listing, the Rotten Tomatoes page, and social promotion — points exclusively to Sky Atlantic and NOW as the distribution channels. A TikTok post from Binge that referenced “Netflix” alongside the show was promotional commentary, not a confirmed listing (Binge on TikTok).

Is it available on BBC?

Not currently. The BBC did not produce the series, but its Must Watch reviews column did cover it extensively. BBC Wales News also promoted the show as “a new six-part crime drama filmed and set” in Wales (BBC Wales News on Facebook). That editorial attention doesn’t mean it appears on BBC iPlayer — the series remains a Sky exclusive.

Streaming platforms breakdown

Seven platform options, one clear pattern: the series is exclusive to the Sky ecosystem.

Platform Availability (UK) Requires subscription?
Sky Atlantic Yes Yes (Sky TV)
NOW TV Yes Yes (NOW subscription)
Netflix No (as of 2026) N/A
BBC iPlayer No N/A
Amazon Prime Video No N/A
Apple TV+ No N/A
Disney+ No N/A

The pattern is clear: if you don’t have Sky or NOW, you don’t have access. That exclusivity is the single biggest barrier for most viewers.

The trade-off

Sky and NOW are the only homes for Under Salt Marsh. If you’re a cord-cutting viewer who relies on Netflix or BBC iPlayer, you’ll need to either skip the series or pick up a NOW Entertainment pass for the month.

Is Under Salt Marsh worth watching?

Critical reception overview

Early reviews are positive. The BBC’s Must Watch reviewer described the first episode as “thrilling from start to finish” and noted it kept her “on the edge of my seat” (BBC Must Watch). The Killing Times, which reviewed the full first season, said in its Episodes 4–6 review that “this series keeps getting better” (The Killing Times). The Guardian’s critic Lucy Mangan also praised the psychological depth and performances, according to published excerpts.

Audience ratings on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes

IMDb lists the title as a 2026 TV series, and user ratings have been accumulating since the premiere. Rotten Tomatoes has a dedicated page for critic and audience scores. As typical for a newly released series, the aggregation is still building — but the presence of both platforms indicates the show has reached a wide enough audience for formal tracking.

Comparisons to similar crime thrillers

  • Reviewers have compared its slow-burn tension to Broadchurch and The Bay, both Welsh-set crime dramas.
  • Reddit discussion threads characterised the show as “slow-paced but good” and noted it rewards patient viewers (Reddit discussion).

The comparisons to Broadchurch are telling — this is a show that asks for patience and rewards it with atmosphere.

The upshot

If you enjoy atmospheric, character-driven crime thrillers that take time to build tension, Under Salt Marsh is likely worth your time. The BBC and The Killing Times reviews suggest it succeeds where many similar series falter — sustaining quality across a full six-episode arc.

How many episodes are in Under Salt Marsh?

Episode count confirmed

The series has 6 episodes, confirmed by multiple sources, including BBC Must Watch, BBC Wales News, and IMDb. The release schedule followed a weekly pattern: YouTube recap content referencing “Episodes 1–2” and The Killing Times reviewing Episodes 4–6 on February 14 both indicate staggered airing (YouTube recap; The Killing Times).

Episode length and total runtime

Individual episode lengths haven’t been officially published as a block, but typical Sky Atlantic crime-drama episodes run 45–60 minutes. That would place the total runtime between 4.5 and 6 hours — standard for a miniseries of this format.

Bottom line: Under Salt Marsh is a 6-episode miniseries, not an ongoing show. Viewers who prefer binge-watching may want to let all episodes drop before starting, but the weekly release seems designed to build word-of-mouth. For patient viewers: the payoff arrives. For the impatient: waiting for the full season to land is a reasonable choice.

What is the cast and filming location of Under Salt Marsh?

Main cast: Kelly Reilly, Rafe Spall

  • Kelly Reilly — known for Yellowstone, True Detective — plays a lead role.
  • Rafe Spall — known for Life of Pi, Hot Fuzz, The English Game — co-stars.

This is the first major pairing of Reilly and Spall in a miniseries format, and multiple sources cite their performances as a highlight (BBC Must Watch; IMDb).

Where was Under Salt Marsh filmed?

The series was filmed in Wales, with the coastal setting playing a central atmospheric role. BBC Wales News promoted it as “set on the Welsh coast” (BBC Wales News). The BBC The One Show’s social post similarly described the drama as being “set on the Welsh coast” (BBC The One Show Facebook). Specific towns or production studios haven’t been disclosed beyond the general “Wales” location.

Creator Claire Oakley

Claire Oakley is the creator of Under Salt Marsh, confirmed by Wikipedia’s listing (Wikipedia). Oakley is a British screenwriter and director known for her work in crime and psychological drama.

What to watch

If you’re following the show for the cast alone: Reilly and Spall both deliver, but the series leans heavily on its Welsh coastal setting as a character in itself. The location isn’t a backdrop — it’s central to the plot’s tension.

Will there be an Under Salt Marsh season 2?

Miniseries status

The show was conceived and marketed as a miniseries. Multiple sources — including the BBC Must Watch, BBC Wales News, and Binge on Facebook — all describe it as a “six-part drama” or “crime drama,” language almost always reserved for limited series.

Possibility of renewal

No official statements from Sky or Claire Oakley have confirmed a second season. A Reddit discussion thread in early February 2026 had viewers actively hoping for more, but the prevailing assumption was that the story concluded with Episode 6 (Reddit). The Killing Times’ review covered the full first season without any indication of a continuation (The Killing Times). Given the miniseries format and the absence of renewal announcements, a second season is not expected.

The implication: if you need closure before starting a series, Under Salt Marsh delivers that in six episodes.

The catch

Miniseries can and do get renewed when viewership is strong — Big Little Lies and The White Lotus both started as limited series before expanding. But as of February 2026, there’s no evidence that Sky is planning a second chapter. If you’re the type who needs closure before starting a series, Under Salt Marsh delivers that in six episodes.

Related reading: Cast of Industry (TV Series): Full List by Season · Best Films on Netflix Ireland Right Now: Top 10 + Picks

Additional sources

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For a deeper look at the series, check out this complete guide to the crime thriller that covers the plot, cast, and episode breakdown.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Under Salt Marsh on any free streaming service?

No. As of 2026, the series is not available on free-to-air streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, or Pluto TV. It requires a Sky Atlantic or NOW TV subscription.

How long is each episode of Under Salt Marsh?

Official episode lengths haven’t been published as a batch, but the industry standard for Sky Atlantic crime drama episodes is 45–60 minutes.

Does Under Salt Marsh have an English audio track?

Yes. The series is originally produced and broadcast in English.

Is Under Salt Marsh suitable for children?

The series is a crime thriller with psychological tension and scenes of suspense. No official age rating has been published, but it is comparable to shows like Broadchurch — likely rated 15+ in the UK or TV-MA in the US.

Can I watch Under Salt Marsh on Amazon Prime Video?

No. The series is not available on Amazon Prime Video in any region as of early 2026. It remains a Sky Atlantic / NOW TV exclusive.

Who composed the music for Under Salt Marsh?

The composer hasn’t been widely publicised in early coverage. Check the closing credits of any episode or the IMDb full credits page for the most up-to-date information.

Where can I find episode recaps for Under Salt Marsh?

Recaps are available on YouTube (search for “Under Salt Marsh recap”) and via The Killing Times, which published detailed episode reviews covering the full first season (The Killing Times).

Is Under Salt Marsh available outside the UK?

International distribution hasn’t been announced as of early 2026. Sky Originals sometimes get picked up by streamers like Amazon or Hulu outside the UK, but no deal has been confirmed.

Under Salt Marsh is a tightly constructed six-part crime thriller that earns its praise. The BBC called it “thrilling from start to finish,” and The Killing Times noted it “keeps getting better.” For anyone who has the Sky or NOW subscription, it’s a straightforward recommendation. For viewers who rely exclusively on Netflix or free-to-air streaming, the choice is equally clear: either pick up a NOW Entertainment pass for a month, or wait to see if a wider distribution deal materialises later. A second season isn’t expected, so the story you get in those six episodes is the complete package. For the UK viewer considering a new crime drama to invest in this winter, Under Salt Marsh delivers exactly what it promises — the only real barrier is where you choose to watch.