Welsh Dramas Crisis And Under Salt Marsh Captivate UK Viewers

Fans of gripping television drama have reason to celebrate this January, as two new Welsh-set series are making waves on UK streaming platforms. Crisis, a six-part psychological drama originally aired in 2024, has found a new home on ITVX, while Under Salt Marsh, a highly anticipated crime drama starring Kelly Reilly and Rafe Spall, is set to premiere on Sky Atlantic and NOW on January 30, 2026. Both series promise intense storytelling, strong performances, and a deep dive into the complexities of community and personal trauma, all set against the evocative landscapes of Wales.

Crisis—known in Welsh as Creisis—centers on Jamie, a psychiatric nurse working in the Welsh Valleys. Jamie, played by Gwydion Rhys in his first lead television role, is tasked with caring for the community's most vulnerable residents while wrestling with his own dark thoughts and personal demons. According to ITVX, the drama explores Jamie's struggle to balance home life, work responsibilities, and the lingering effects of past trauma. The arrival of a new boss threatens to push him to the brink, raising the stakes for both Jamie and those in his care.

The show was written by Anwen Huws, whose previous credits include co-writing the acclaimed series Keeping Faith and penning Still Waters (also known as The Light in the Hall). The cast is rounded out by familiar faces from British television, including Hannah Daniel (Keeping Faith), Sara Gregory (Torchwood), Alex Harries (The Light in the Hall, Keeping Faith), Richard Elis (The Pact), and Arwel Gruffydd (Y Sŵn, Hedd Wyn). Filming took place on location in the Welsh towns of Bridgend and Pontypridd, lending the series an authentic sense of place and atmosphere.

Gwydion Rhys, reflecting on his role, shared, "Jamie is central to every scene in the drama and, although that was quite intense at times, I tried to use that intensity of the filming schedule to add to the performance." He continued, "Jamie is an erratic character and very emotional, but I hope that the audience will sympathize with him. It was a pleasure to play the role and I made sure to appreciate the chance to be on set every day." These insights, as reported by Radio Times, highlight the emotional depth and commitment Rhys brought to the character.

Crisis is a Boom Cymru production, crafted by the same joint production team behind the BBC's Men Up, which featured notable actors such as Iwan Rheon (Game of Thrones), Alexandra Roach (Lazarus), and Joanna Page (Gavin & Stacey). With all six episodes now available to stream in the "Fresh In" section of ITVX as of January 23, 2026, the series is poised to attract viewers looking for a weekend binge-watch. It joins a slate of other popular dramas on the platform, including the latest season of Sophie Rundle's After the Flood and a mystery drama drawing comparisons to How to Get Away with Murder.

Meanwhile, anticipation is building for Under Salt Marsh, another six-part drama set in Wales. This series marks the return of Kelly Reilly, best known for her role as Beth Dutton in Yellowstone, to British television. Reilly stars as Jackie Ellis, a former detective turned teacher in the fictional Welsh town of Morfa Halen. The story kicks off when Jackie makes a shocking discovery that reopens the unsolved case of her niece's disappearance three years earlier.

Forced to reunite with her estranged police partner Eric Bull, played by Rafe Spall, Jackie is drawn back into an investigation that threatens to tear the community apart. As the synopsis from Sky Atlantic details, "Together, they must confront a community haunted by secrets and fractured by grief, before the incoming storm washes away the evidence forever." This sense of urgency and impending danger is heightened by the series' setting—a town bracing for a literal and metaphorical storm.

The supporting cast includes Jonathan Pryce (The Crown) and Brian Gleeson (Bad Sisters), both of whom bring gravitas and depth to the ensemble. Under Salt Marsh promises to blend atmospheric crime storytelling with a deeply human portrait of resilience and community, offering viewers both suspense and emotional resonance. The series is set to premiere at 9pm on January 30, 2026, on Sky Atlantic and the streaming service NOW.

The arrival of these two dramas underscores the growing prominence of Welsh settings and talent in British television. Both Crisis and Under Salt Marsh use their locations not just as backdrops, but as integral elements of their stories. The Welsh Valleys in Crisis and the fictional Morfa Halen in Under Salt Marsh are depicted as communities grappling with hardship, secrets, and the enduring impact of trauma—reflecting broader themes that resonate far beyond Wales itself.

For Gwydion Rhys, stepping into the lead role in Crisis was both a professional milestone and a personal challenge. His portrayal of Jamie, a man on the edge, is informed by the intensity of the filming process and the complexity of the character. As he told Radio Times, "It was a pleasure to play the role and I made sure to appreciate the chance to be on set every day." Viewers can expect a performance marked by vulnerability and raw emotion, set against a narrative that does not shy away from the realities of mental health struggles.

Kelly Reilly's return to the small screen in Under Salt Marsh is equally noteworthy. Her character, Jackie Ellis, must navigate not only the procedural aspects of a reopened police investigation but also the personal pain of a family tragedy. The dynamic between Reilly and Rafe Spall, who plays her former partner, adds another layer to the series, promising both tension and depth as they confront the ghosts of their past and the secrets of their community.

In a television landscape crowded with content, both Crisis and Under Salt Marsh stand out for their commitment to character-driven storytelling and their evocative use of setting. Whether it's the psychological intensity of a nurse pushed to his limits or the suspense of a detective racing against time and the elements, these dramas offer viewers a chance to immerse themselves in stories that are as emotionally resonant as they are thrilling.

As Crisis continues to find new audiences on ITVX and Under Salt Marsh prepares to make its debut, it's clear that Welsh drama is enjoying a moment in the spotlight—one defined by compelling stories, strong performances, and an unflinching look at the challenges facing individuals and communities alike.