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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Under Salt Marsh is a six-part Sky Original crime drama starring Kelly Reilly, who played Beth Dutton in Yellowstone. Its headline figure is real but narrow: Sky reported in a 12 February 2026 announcement that the first episode drew 1.8 million viewers in its first seven days. That is not the audience for the whole series, and it is not a one-night broadcast total. The “10/10” in the headline is editorial framing. No Sky-issued score appears in the official announcements reviewed for this article.
What the 1.8 million figure actually measures
Sky’s launch-results announcement, dated 12 February 2026, gave the opening episode’s audience over its first seven days after the series launched on Sky and NOW on 30 January 2026. Sky described this as the strongest launch of an original drama it had had since The Day of the Jackal. The figure answers one question: how many people watched episode one in the week after release.
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Sky later published a larger number for the series. In an announcement dated 26 August 2026, it said the first series had a 28-day audience of 2.5 million. That is a different measure, covering the whole first series over a longer window. The two numbers should not be subtracted, ranked against each other as growth, or merged into one “audience” figure.
| Measure | Figure | Scope | Time window | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening-episode audience | 1.8 million viewers | Episode one only | First seven days after launch on 30 January 2026 | Sky, announcement of 12 February 2026 |
| First-series audience | 2.5 million viewers | All six episodes of the first series, as Sky reported it | 28 days | Sky, announcement of 26 August 2026 |
| Critic score | 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, as reported by AOL | Aggregate critic reviews; review count not stated | Status when AOL published on 17 February 2026 | AOL, 17 February 2026 |
| Sky-issued rating | Not stated | Not stated in the official Sky announcements reviewed | Not stated | Not stated |
What Under Salt Marsh is
The series is set in the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen. Claire Oakley created it and wrote and directed it. Key facts for a reader deciding whether to watch:
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- Format: six episodes in the first series, released weekly on Fridays on Sky and NOW.
- Lead: Kelly Reilly as Jackie Ellis, a former detective now working as a teacher.
- Co-star: Rafe Spall as Detective Eric Bull, Jackie’s former police partner.
- Premise: as a major storm approaches, Jackie finds the body of her eight-year-old pupil, Cefin. The discovery reopens the unsolved disappearance of her niece, Nessa, three years earlier. That case cost Jackie her career and strained her family’s trust.
- Central tension: the storm threatens to wash away evidence, and Eric returns to investigate the linked cases in a close-knit community.
Sky’s first-look announcement of 24 September 2025 confirmed the six-part format, cast, creator, setting, and premise.
Where the “10/10” claim comes from
The headline’s “10/10” wording is promotional framing rather than a measured score. The only score in the sources reviewed is AOL’s report, published 17 February 2026, that the show had a 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating at that time. AOL did not give the number of reviews behind it, and that figure may have changed since. If you cite it, name Rotten Tomatoes, AOL, and the date. Do not present it as Sky’s rating or as a consensus verdict.
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Where and when to watch
- In the UK: the first series launched on Sky and NOW on 30 January 2026, as confirmed by Sky.
- In the US: AOL reported a planned Peacock premiere later in 2026. Sky’s official announcements reviewed do not confirm this, so check current US availability directly before relying on it.
The second chapter
On 26 August 2026, Sky announced a second six-part chapter. Rafe Spall is set to reprise Detective Eric Bull. The new chapter moves to a remote Scottish mining village, and filming in Scotland is scheduled to begin in 2027. The move to a new location means the second chapter is not a continuation of the Morfa Halen story.
What the people behind it said
Meghan Lyvers, Executive Director of Original Scripted at Sky UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted by the overwhelming response to UNDER SALT MARSH. From the series’ highly character driven storytelling, atmospheric setting, and outstanding lead performances by Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall, viewers have been captivated from the very first episode.”
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Claire Oakley, creator, lead writer, director, and executive producer, said: “I’m thrilled that the series, which I hoped would resonate as a story of community in the face of adversity, has reached so many people.”
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare it with other crime dramas
If you set Under Salt Marsh against other crime dramas, use measurable axes rather than a single score:
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- DVD
- Multiple Formats, Color, NTSC
- English (Original Language)
- 1
- 148
- Episode count and release cadence (six episodes, weekly Friday releases in the UK)
- Setting (a fictional Welsh town with a storm-driven plot)
- Lead performances and cast (Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall)
- Mystery premise (a child’s death that reopens a missing-person case)
- Audience measure and window (state whether a figure is for one episode or the series, and over how many days)
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
