The Jetty: release date, recaps, cast, plot, episode guide, trailer and everything we know

Jenna Coleman in a first-look image of The Jetty
Jenna Coleman in a first-look image of The Jetty. (Image credit: BBC)

The Jetty is a new crime drama starring Wilderness favorite Jenna Coleman, and it has been billed as being "as much a coming-of-age story as a detective thriller".

The four-part series was written and created by Cat Jones, who is known for her work on Harlots, EastEnders, and Waterloo Road.

Speaking about her new project, she said: "I’m thrilled to be making The Jetty for BBC One. Like millions of people all over the world, I've grown up loving and admiring BBC dramas, so getting to create one really is a dream come true. 

"The Jetty is a story I’ve wanted to tell for a long time but it wasn’t until it found its champions at the fantastically writer-friendly Firebird, that it really came to life. What feels like a total dream team continues to grow with the addition of Marialy Rivas to direct and the brilliant Jenna Coleman. I’ve no doubt audiences are going to be completely transfixed by her as Ember."

Announcing the project, Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama added: "The Jetty is so much more than a crime thriller, and with Cat Jones as writer, Firebird Pictures producing, and Jenna in the lead role of Ember Manning, I know we have the perfect team in place to create a truly brilliant, brave series. I can’t wait for BBC viewers to discover its many secrets."

Here's everything we know about The Jetty...

Hitch (ARCHIE RENAUX) and Ember (JENNA COLEMAN) in The Jetty

Jenna Coleman and Archie Renaux as Ember and Hitch in The Jetty.  (Image credit: BBC/Firebird Pictures/Ben Blackall)

The Jetty release date

The Jetty started on BBC One on Monday, July 15 and the second episode aired on Tuesday, July 16. 

The third and fourth episodes will air on Sunday, July 21, and Monday, July 22 at 9 pm on BBC One. 

All episodes of The Jetty are now available on BBC iPlayer. 

We will update this guide with a US air date when one is announced. 

Caitlin (LAURA MARCUS);Amy (BO BRAGASON) in The Jetty

Laura Marcus and Bo Bragason as Caitlin and Amy in The Jetty.  (Image credit: BBC/Firebird Pictures/Ben Blackall)

The Jetty plot

The Jetty is a twisty-turny thriller that opens with a fire tearing through a holiday home in a scenic Lancashire lake town. 

Detective Ember Manning must work out how it connects to a podcast journalist investigating a missing persons cold case and an illicit ‘love’ triangle between a man in his twenties and two underage girls. But, as Ember gets close to the truth, it threatens to destroy her life – forcing her to re-evaluate everything she thought she knew about her past, present, and the town she’s always called home.

The Jetty episode guide

Episode 1
Recently widowed DC Ember Manning uncovers a dark web of secrets in the sleepy town she's always called home when she suspects there is a predator targeting underage girls. She finds herself reflecting on the age difference between herself and her late husband. 

Episode 2
Still reeling from her shocking discovery, Ember is desperate to find out what Riz knows about the Amy Knightly case. They begin to share information and Ember tells Riz her suspicions about the identity of Miranda's abuser. Ember is horrified when she's told that the lake is to be searched for Amy's remains. When Riz stops returning Ember's calls, Ember suspects that it's because she has uncovered the terrible truth about what happened to Amy. 

Episode 3
Reeling from the discovery of a body in the lake, Ember knows it will be only a matter of time before the police find the incriminating voicemails. Learning the truth about who has been abusing Miranda, and the possibility that Mack was responsible for Amy's disappearance, Ember is already pushed to breaking point - but then Hannah's safety is threatened. 

Episode 4
In the final episode, Ember is forced to confess to her family that human bone fragments were found in the boat hut, but Hannah can't believe her dad was responsible and pleads with Ember to look further. When a new development propels Ember into dangerous territory, the truth is finally revealed, and it proves far more shocking than she ever expected.

The Jetty cast

Jenna Coleman as Ember 

Ember (JENNA COLEMAN) in The Jetty

Jenna Coleman recently starred in Wilderness.  (Image credit: BBC/Firebird Pictures/Ben Blackall)

Jenna Coleman stars in The Jetty as the lead role of Ember Manning, a recently widowed mum to teenage Hannah. Ember is keeping her grief over losing her husband under wraps as she throws herself into work with the police. 

Fans will no doubt recognise Jenna from her work on Prime Video's Wilderness, as well as starring in titles such as Doctor Who, The Serpent, and The Sandman

Jenna Coleman said: "I’m delighted to be returning to the BBC to be a part of The Jetty, with Firebird Pictures at the helm, bringing the story of Ember Manning to life. I look forward to exploring Cat Jones’ darkly probing scripts, alongside Marialy Rivas’ eloquent vision."

Archie Renaux as Hitch 

Hitch (ARCHIE RENAUX) in The Jetty

(Image credit: BBC/Firebird Pictures/Ben Blackall)

Archie Renaux (The Greatest Beer Run, Shadow and Bone, Romulus), will star as Hitch, Ember's partner on the police force who has also grown up in the town he now keeps safe. 

Ruby Stokes as Hannah 

Hannah (RUBY STOKES);Ember (JENNA COLEMAN) in The Jetty

(Image credit: BBC/Firebird Pictures/Ben Blackall)

Ruby Stokes (Lockwood & Co, Rocks, Una) will play Hannah, Ember's teenage daughter. Hannah and Ember have a close bond and are both navigating their grief over losing Ember's husband and Hannah's dad just a year ago. 

Amelia Bullmore as Sylvia 

Sylvia (AMELIA BULLMORE) in The Jetty

(Image credit: BBC/Firebird Pictures/Ben Blackall)

Amelia Bullmore (Happy Valley, The Larkins, Scott and Bailey) plays Sylvia, Ember's mother and local psychic who claims to have a special skill of contacting the dead. 

Weruche Opia as Riz 

Riz (WERUCHE OPIA in The Jetty

(Image credit: BBC/Firebird Pictures/Ben Blackall)

Weruche Opia (High Desert, Slumberland, I May Destroy You) plays Riz, a podcast journalist who comes to Ember's town looking to solve a cold case of a missing girl from 17 years ago. 

Tom Glynn-Carney as Malachy 

Malachy (TOM GLYNN-CARNEY) in The Jetty

(Image credit: BBC/Firebird Pictures/Ben Blackall)

Tom Glynn-Carney (House of the Dragon, SAS Rogue Heroes, Dunkirk) will play Malachy. 

Bo Bragason as Amy

Amy Knightly in The Jetty

(Image credit: BBC)

Bo Bragason plays Amy Knightly, a teenager who went missing 17 years ago. Viewers will have seen Bo in shows like Renegade Nell and The Radleys

Laura Marcus as Caitlin 

Caitlin and Joe in The Jetty

(Image credit: BBC)

Laura Marcus, known for her role in The Serpent Queen, stars as Caitlin, a friend of Amy's. But does she know more about the night her friend went missing than she is letting on? 

Other cast include Matthew McNulty (The Rising), Ralph Ineson (Green Knight), David Ajala (Italian Studies), Nina Barker-Francis (The Flash), Miya Ocego (I Hate Suzie), Elliot Cowan (The Crown), Shannon Watson (H.P. Lovecraft’s Witch House), Arthur Hughes (Help) and Dominic Coleman (Paddington).  

Is there a trailer?

Yes, a trailer has landed and it gives you a glimpse of how gripping this thriller is... 

The Jetty, starring Jenna Coleman - New BBC Drama Trailer - YouTube The Jetty, starring Jenna Coleman - New BBC Drama Trailer - YouTube
Watch On
CATEGORIES
Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.