THE Bay viewers rushed to complain about the series three finale – saying it did not stack up to the first two seasons.
The final episode in the Morecombe-based drama’s third series aired this week, but fans were less than impressed with what they saw.
This season saw Marsha Thomason join as Morecambe CID’s new Family Liaison Officer, DS Jenn Townsend, taking over from Morven Christie who played Lisa Armstrong in series one and two.
Marsha starred alongside regular cast members Daniel Ryan, Erin Shanagher, Thomas Law and Andrew Dowbiggin.
In the finale, DS Jenn managed to nab the killers of Saif Rahman (Brahmdeo Shannon Ramana).
The detective questioned Ritchie (Paddy Rowan) and his girlfriend Shirin (Deepica Stephen) in the final episode, with the Ritchie lying and casting doubt on his alibi.
Police arrested Ritchie who in the interrogation room did not realise the detectives knew he wasn’t alone when Saif was killed.
They worked out Kyle (Joel Phillimore) landed the blow that killed him after Shirin had led him to the confrontation that would end his life behind the boxing gym.
Ritchie walked away from the fight between the men and did not see that when Saif recovered, he called Kyle a joke which led the lad to bludgeon him to death.
Many viewers complained about the sound of the bludgeoning, and others labelled the twist a ‘major fail’, saying it was not as good as the first two series.
“In the final episode of The Bay now on @ITV #TheBay #ITV the lead has entirely forgotten she is a family liaison officer. Not dramatic enough, it seems. She interrogates suspects and solves the case instead. This series isn’t a patch on the 1st two. Major fail,” one viewer moaned on Twitter.
Another added: “I’m not sure I liked that ending…I’m terrible at guessing ‘who dunnit’ anyway but Kyle was very rarely on screen and absolutely nothing (in my opinion) pointed to him! #TheBay.”
And a third wrote: “I just couldn’t get into this. I remember enjoying #TheBay before… not sure why this series seems different ~ even with the subtitle on I’m finding I never understood anything 
.”
But for the rest of the fans who loved the third series they can immediately be reassured that they haven’t seen the last of North-West coastal town as ITV has confirmed it will be back for a fourth run.
ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill praised writer Daragh Carville as she celebrated the commissioning of a fourth series.
She said: “I’m delighted that we will be returning to Morecambe for another series of The Bay.
“Marsha Thomason delivered a brilliant performance as DS Jenn Townsend, and it will be exciting to see where Daragh takes her character in series four.”
While it looks like Marsha is to reprise her role in season four, further casting news is to be announced, while filming will begin later this year.
The Bay’s latest series has been praised for its diversity both on and off screen, thanks to its accurate and moving portrayal of the funeral of a young Muslim man and how young deaf newcomer, Nadeem Islam.
Nadeem who was initially discovered via an article written about him by Colin Hambrook, Editor on Disability Arts Online – was subsequently cast as Jamal in the show.
