The gripping Sky Atlantic crime series Under Salt Marsh has captivated audiences with its atmospheric Welsh settings and complex murder investigation. In recent episodes, detective Eric Bull, portrayed by Rafe Spall, and his former superior Jackie Ellis, played by Kelly Reilly, have intensified their probe into the tragic death of schoolboy Cefin Hill, a character brought to life by Jack Thomas-Humphreys.
The Mystery of Spider Island
As their investigation deepens, the duo uncovered shocking revelations that sent ripples through the vulnerable coastal community of Morfa Halen. A pivotal moment in the series saw Bull and Ellis travel to the remote Spider Island to interrogate its isolated beekeeping residents about the youngster's killing. This dramatic plot point has sparked considerable curiosity among viewers, leading many to question whether Spider Island is a real location.
Is Spider Island Real?
Spider Island is entirely fictional and does not exist in reality. Much like the Welsh coastal settlement of Morfa Halen, Spider Island was invented specifically for the television series. The production team constructed the island's distinctive timber structures within a controlled studio environment, creating the illusion of an isolated community for dramatic effect.
Executive producer Elwen Rowlands provided insight into the creative process behind Spider Island, describing it as "a collection of wooden huts we built in the studio." This artificial setting allowed the filmmakers to maintain complete control over the atmospheric elements crucial to the series' tense narrative.
Authentic Welsh Filming Locations
While Spider Island itself is fictional, Under Salt Marsh was filmed across multiple authentic locations throughout North and South Wales, with the nation's dramatic landscape playing a pivotal role in the production's visual storytelling.
The Mawddach estuary served as a key filming location, where the River Mawddach flows into the sea, creating an expansive sandy inlet that provided the perfect backdrop for the series' coastal drama. Rowlands emphasized the importance of finding "epic landscapes to make the community feel small against the wild beauty" of Wales.
Other significant filming locations included Newborough Beach in Anglesey, Fairbourne Beach, and Dylan's house on the salt marsh. These authentic Welsh settings contributed significantly to the series' atmospheric quality and sense of place.
Production Challenges
Filming in such remote and dramatic locations presented considerable challenges for the production team. Rowlands admitted that transportation logistics were particularly difficult, and the crew weathered two genuine storms during filming. These challenging conditions ultimately helped bond the cast and crew, mirroring the close-knit relationships depicted among Morfa Halen's residents.
Maintaining continuity of water and weather conditions proved especially demanding for large-scale scenes, such as the vigil featured in episode two. One particularly challenging sequence required flooding the village center, forcing cast and crew to work in waist-deep freezing water during January filming.
Real Welsh Islands to Visit
While Spider Island exists only within the world of Under Salt Marsh, Wales offers several real islands that visitors can explore. Skokholm Island in Pembrokeshire provides opportunities to experience diverse wildlife and plant life in a stunning coastal setting. Similarly, Skomer Island offers breathtaking natural scenery and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities for nature enthusiasts.
The series continues to air on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Fridays, blending fictional drama with authentic Welsh landscapes to create a compelling viewing experience that has captured audience imagination.
