At 70 years old and a lifelong resident of Morfa Harlen, farmer Solomon Bevan is a pillar of the community. Living on his farm which has been passed down for generations, Solomon loves his home, his family and his life – and is very hesitant to see anything change.
When his grandson Cefin dies, Solomon’s instinct to protect his family comes out in full force, and he’s devastated by the loss. He’s also less than pleased to see DS Bull in charge of the case, not fully able to trust him.
Speaking ahead of the series, Jonathan Pryce talks about why he took on the role, his love of rural England, and why it’s so important to tell a good story in his work.
How do you describe the show to friends and family?
It’s an eco-drama, murder mystery, and family saga all rolled into one.
The storm and ecological themes are central to the show. What are your thoughts on that?
There’s a tragic reality behind it. There are real towns on the west coast of Wales under threat from the sea, likely to disappear in 20 years. The show reflects that kind of looming ecological crisis and the community’s fight to survive and be heard.
What was your reaction when you first read the script?
I was delighted because I’ve always wanted to do a crime drama set in Wales. There have been some wonderful crime shows made in the country in recent years and being Welsh myself, from North Wales, it was a chance to reconnect with my roots and revisit places I hadn’t seen since I was a teenager.
What drew you to the character of Solomon Bevan?
Playing Solomon was a way to reconnect with my personal history. He’s a very Welsh character, and I’ve seen men like him growing up — farmers with a strong sense of self and community. It was also a chance to stop English actors from doing fake Welsh accents!
How did your conversations with director Claire Oakley shape your portrayal?
Claire was very open and accepting of my vision of Solomon. I grew up seeing farmers in Holywell — men who lived in their own world, with a justified self-importance. That informed how I approached the role.
Solomon is described as a formidable character. How did you interpret that?
Descriptions in scripts are guides. Claire didn’t cast a six-foot-seven farmer, she cast me. So it was about embodying the essence of Solomon, not his physicality. Interestingly, my on-screen sons tower over me, which was a humbling experience!
What’s Claire Oakley like as a director?
She’s collaborative, empathetic, and bright. She brings a sense of a shared vision and compassion. Claire gives you space to interpret the character while knowing exactly how she wants the story to unfold.
Community resilience is a key theme. How is that explored in the show?
There’s a much stronger sense of resilience in the community now compared to when I grew up in North Wales. Back then, life was calmer and community meant coming together for local events like Bonfire Night or the village fete, but there wasn’t much activism.
Today, being Welsh — especially Welsh-speaking — feels more prominent, and I regret not keeping up my language skills. It’s good to see the community represented so strongly, as it can serve as a rallying cry for others across Wales.
Tell us more about Solomon as a character.
Solomon is the patriarch — respected, feared, and deeply committed to his family. His strength is often reflected in how others perceive him, not just in what he says or does.
Where does Solomon fit into the plot?
He’s central. The family is slightly alienated at first from the community but becomes a unifying force. The murder mystery unfolds over six episodes, with shifting suspicions and red herrings that keep the audience guessing.
Did you suspect Solomon might be the killer when reading the script?
It’s tantalising! The script keeps you guessing, and hopefully, the audience will suspect everyone at some point. That’s what makes a good crime drama.
What makes a good crime drama in your view?
A compelling story that keeps you guessing. I grew up watching mystery dramas on black-and-white TV — Francis Durbridge, Alfred Hitchcock. Under Salt Marsh continues that tradition with a modern ecological twist.
What sets Under Salt Marsh apart from other crime dramas?
Its ecological foundation. It’s rooted in today’s climate crisis but wrapped in a gripping narrative. It’s not dystopian — it’s real, current, and relatable.
What was it like working with the cast?
Wonderful, though I wish I’d had more time with the family on screen. I’ve joked with Claire about making a sequel — Meet the Bevans! Rafe and Kelly are strong actors, and I enjoyed my time with them.
But working with a mostly Welsh cast and crew was a delight. Rhodri is from my part of Wales and coached the South Wales actors on their North Welsh accents — they are very different!
Any standout filming locations?
Filming in North Wales was a joy. It’s rare to shoot there, and it was great to return to places near my hometown of Holywell and see Snowdonia from a new perspective.
What can audiences expect from Under Salt Marsh?
A good story well told. That’s all you can ask for.