Starring Jenna Coleman, The Jetty is a four-part mystery series examines themes of morality, age of consent, grooming, identity and memory. 

The BBC’s new thriller The Jetty begins tonight, Monday, 15th July 2024.

With Jenna Coleman (Wilderness) as detective Ember Manning, the series follows an investigation in a scenic Lancashire lake town.

The show also stars Archie Renaux (Shadow & Bone), Tom Glynn-Carney (SAS Rogue Heroes) and Ruby Stokes (Lockwood & Co.)

Plus, Bo Bragson (Renegade Nell), Amelia Bullmore (Gentleman Jack) and David Ajala (Star Trek: Discovery).

To introduce it, the BBC caught up with some of the cast and creatives…

Writer, Creator and Executive producer Cat Jones

What is The Jetty about?

The Jetty is about a detective called Ember Manning, who starts to investigate an arson in the town she lives in and finds that it’s connected to a local sex offender who is operating in the area – and it also might be connected to a 17-year-old, missing persons cold case. Ember starts to investigate the connections between the cases and is forced to reflect upon her own past and teenage years. She starts to question whether some of the things she thought were normal and okay back then actually were, in retrospect.

How would you describe the tone of the show?

It’s a detective thriller so the tone is thrilling, exciting, propulsive and intriguing. I think the tone is also set by Ember who’s very funny and dry. Although there are some serious ideas at the heart of it, I think she stops it from feeling too dark and heavy.

What are the key themes?

The Jetty is really about the relationship between men and women in a post “Me Too” world. It’s about looking at the relationship between a sexist remark in the pub against violence towards women and girls, and the fact that one can be an incubator for the other. We don’t live in a world where women and girls are safe and secure. I don’t just mean that in terms of the risk of being assaulted or murdered, but also in terms of emotional safety, financial security and access to opportunity. The Jetty is really a story about memory and reinventing yourself, as well as change and growth. In that respect I think it’s quite optimistic and hopeful. I think there’s something big and universal about the ideas of the show. These are stories that everyone can relate to.

Jenna Coleman plays Ember Manning

Please tell us about The Jetty?

The Jetty is a story about Ember Manning, a mum who becomes a detective. She’s investigating a case which becomes very personal to her. It’s a very character, human and relationship-driven drama that’s wrapped up as a detective thriller. There are a lot of elements and various threads to this story, but the heart of it is about the missing case of Amy Knightley and the case of Miranda Ashby. More crucially, it asks probing questions about identity, sexual boundaries, sexual politics, toxic culture and the awakening of oneself.

How would you describe Ember?

Ember is quite prickly, stubborn, proud and free-willed. She’s also very warm and loyal. And I also think she’s really funny. Cat Jones’ writing of her is very sardonic, dry, and she’s not easily impressed. In the series she’s going through an awakening and really finding herself. Her husband, who she was with from a very young age, died a year before the series starts, so she’s going through this new kind of re-discovering of herself.

Can you describe the key relationships your character has in the show?

Ember has a great relationship with her daughter Hannah, played by Ruby Stokes, that we tried to create as a bit of a sisterly friendship. Ember had her daughter when she was a teenager, so they’re not too far apart in age and there’s a lovely, really interesting dynamic there. Her relationship with her side-kick Hitch, played by Archie Renaux, is really fun. I loved filming those scenes with him. She’s quite challenging of Hitch and calls him out all the time, so there’s this constant banter and back-and-forth between them. Ember gives him a lot of tough love. Her relationship with her deceased husband is interesting, and a key focus of the show, as Ember spends the series reframing her relationship with him, putting a new lens on it in retrospect.

What are The Jetty’s main themes?

There’s a really interesting visual theme across the series of reflections and mirrors, which reflects the fact that so much of Ember’s journey is being forced to look inward. So much of the show is about water and echoes, memories and reflection. The themes of the show are really echoed by the setting of the lake.

Archie Renaux plays Hitch

How would you describe Hitch?

I’d describe Hitch as someone who’s young at heart. He hasn’t quite reached the level of maturity yet, but he’s like a puppy dog who’ll do anything to impress.

Can you describe the main relationships Hitch has in the show?

Hitch has a relationship with the Ashby family, as he kind of grew up in and amongst them in their pub. He’d previously been drawn into a murkier life because of his upbringing, but he became a police officer, met Ember, and was shown the light, in many ways. Ember help him realise that he needs to start taking things more seriously and distance himself from that crowd otherwise he’ll be stuck there. Ember basically says to him that you’re a product of your environment, and if you don’t wise up and realise that it’s time to let these bad sorts go, then you’re going to be in trouble.

Why is it important to tell this story now?

I think it’s important to tell this story now because although I think we’re making progress in what’s right and what’s wrong, there are still grey areas. For example, just because something is legal doesn’t necessarily make it right. I think the show sheds light on topical issues and will spark necessary conversation.

What will excite people about the series?

It always keeps you guessing. It takes you down a lot of dead ends, and gets you thinking that you know all the answers – like I did when I first read the scripts – but then you’ll be taken somewhere completely new and realise you’ve been fooled!

Weruche Opia plays Riz

How would you describe Riz?

Riz classifies herself as a journalist. She’s a crime podcaster who focuses on missing people and she’s taken it upon herself to investigate the cold case of a girl who went missing 17 years ago. She’s undertaken this investigation as she believes that if nobody will fight for this young girl, then it’s Riz’s duty to do so and reveal the truth. Riz has a really good heart and wants to do what’s right, but sometimes there’s a thin line of how far you should go to find the truth. There’s also a question of whether the truth will be of benefit or extremely detrimental. The show is about toeing the line of morality. Riz is the kind of headstrong person who pushes these lines. She sees herself as a freedom fighter – an avenging angel type.

Can you describe the relationship between Riz and Ember?

Riz has an interesting relationship with Ember, as they both want the same thing, which is the truth. Their dynamic is a bit like a flirting situation, where they both need something from the other but are trying to play it cool. They have a mutual respect for each other.

What makes the series stand out?

It’s a unique mix of a coming-of-age story,versus the more middle-aged characters coming to terms with their past. I think people of different ages will watch and will react differently to the storylines in the series.

Series Director Marialy Rivas

What makes this different to other detective dramas out there?

It’s different to other crime dramas as its storylines act as a conversation between the past and the present.

What was your vision, as director, for The Jetty?

My vision was aesthetically trying to heighten the reality, and create an ominous feel to the nature and the beauty of the setting. I wanted to find things that look real, but elevate them through the filmmaking.

How would you describe the tone of the show?

The tone has a lot to do with ominous beauty. The show has a lot of darkness and light and tension, but also sensuality. There’s an element of attractiveness to the series, but you also should feel scared of it. I think the series has the same feel as through a flame or looking at the sea. We had a great Director of Photography (Ben Wheeler) and Production Designer (Hayden Matthews) and I think it’s through every single decision we’ve made that you achieve this quality, and therefore something special.

Who will the series appeal to?

I think The Jetty will have a broad appeal across the age groups, because of the storylines and the fascinating, relatable characters we have, ranging from teenagers to grandparents. Parents will be able to watch it with their teenage sons and daughters. Via the two storylines with Caitlin and Ember, the series gets to explore many different subjects including re-assessing your marriage, the relationship between parents and children, and what it’s like falling in love for the first time. Themes with universal appeal.

The Jetty begins tonight on BBC One at 9pm, with episode 2 tomorrow at the same time. Episode 3 follows on Sunday 21st July, with episode 4 on Monday 22nd July.

The whole show is already available on BBC iPlayer.