‘Under Salt Marsh’ Claire Oakley on Picking the Murderer, Possible Season 2
But underneath, she’s got this secret that she’s keeping from everyone, including her partner, Dylan. And I liked the idea of her body telling the story of what she’s been through, even though she doesn’t want to tell anyone. It’s just there, this physical manifestation of her grief and her trauma. And then as the series progresses, she starts to think, “Maybe I can’t keep this secret. Maybe I do need to tell someone.”
Let’s talk about the big reveal in the season finale. Was Mac always intended to be the killer?
Yes, Mac was always the killer. It was important to me that it was someone that we had met before, because I really wanted to play with the genre. And there’s nothing more terrifying than realizing that someone that you thought you knew was capable of something like this. And I also liked the idea that it was someone who was so integral to the community, and to Jackie, in particular, that it would be very hard for her to accept that this person that she loved and cared about could be capable of such a thing.
Will there be a second season of “Under Salt Marsh”?
We’re talking about it. We’re talking about what we would do next. We don’t have anything on the table at the moment, but we’re discussing it and we’re open to the idea. I think there’s definitely more story to tell in this community, and with these characters. So, watch this space.
“Under Salt Marsh” has certainly left audiences on the edge of their seats with its gripping storyline and complex characters. The stunning backdrop of the Welsh salt marshes adds an extra layer of atmosphere to the series, making it a must-watch for fans of crime dramas. With the possibility of a second season on the horizon, viewers will have to wait and see what new mysteries await in Morfa Halen. The journey of creating impactful scenes in a TV show can often be as intriguing as the final product itself. In a recent interview, the creator of a popular series shed light on the behind-the-scenes process of bringing some of the most dramatic moments to life.
One of the standout scenes in the series involved a massive wave hitting a car during a storm. The creator revealed that the entire village set was built on a concrete pad in a studio in Cardiff. They had to carefully consider factors like freezing water and the endurance of the cast and crew while shooting in knee-high water in January. To create the wave effect, a slide with buckets of water on cranes was used, and the car was rigged on a winch to simulate the force of the water.
Another intense scene involved a character locking another in a room filling with water. This scene was achieved by using a hydraulic set that slowly lowered into a tank of water as the room filled up. The opening of the door was shot separately in a different set with a stunt person involved.
When asked about the identity of the murderer in the series, the creator revealed that it wasn’t planned from the beginning. The initial pilot was written without a specific killer in mind, and the decision was made later in the writing process. The series evolved through collaborative writing sessions, with new writers joining the team to flesh out the storyline.
The creator also shared a unique challenge they faced during the writing process. They had to plan out the second half of the series after already having three episodes written, which meant going back to the beginning and reworking elements to fit the evolving narrative. Despite the challenges, this approach allowed for a more organic development of the story.
Overall, the interview provided a fascinating glimpse into the intricate process of creating gripping scenes and developing a compelling storyline in a TV series. It highlighted the collaborative nature of television production and the creative problem-solving required to bring a vision to life on screen. After carefully choosing Mac as the killer in our story, it was important to ensure that his reveal was not only shocking but also made sense to the audience. I wanted people to be surprised by his identity, but not so much that it felt unbelievable or out of left field. The goal was for readers to think, “Of course, it’s him. How did I not see that coming?”
When crafting the character of Mac, I deliberately avoided giving him a typical motive for the murders, such as a sexual or passion-driven impulse. Instead, I wanted to explore the idea that an ordinary person could be driven to commit such heinous acts under extreme pressure. Mac’s actions were motivated by a desire to protect his reputation and status in the community, as well as his misguided belief that he was doing the right thing by building a seawall. The question of “at what cost are we willing to do good?” was at the forefront of my mind while developing his character.
As for the possibility of a second season featuring Jackie and Bull reuniting, it is something that we are currently exploring. We are considering different options for how their story could progress if the show is renewed for another season.
In conclusion, the themes of self-preservation, societal pressure, and the consequences of one’s actions are central to the narrative of our story. The character of Mac serves as a reflection of these themes, and his reveal as the killer is meant to be both surprising and thought-provoking. We are excited to continue exploring these themes in potential future seasons of the show.



