Naomi Yang On Sky’s Gripping New Series Under Salt Marsh

Three years ago, a mysterious death rocked the tight-knit community of Morfa Halen, a small coastal Welsh town – and it’s a case that was never solved. But when detective-turned-teacher Jackie (Kelly Reilly) discovers the body of her nine-year-old pupil drowned, the cold case is revived. It’s the very same case that cost Jackie her job, and her former partner Detective Eric Bull is pulled back to Morfa Halen to investigate this new death, having failed the community years before. With him he brings recently promoted Detective Jess Deng (Naomi Yang), and both struggle to penetrate the emotional barricades the people of Morfa Halen have built up around them. With a once-in-a-generation storm brewing just off the coast threatening to wash away all the evidence, and a belief that the two cases are connected, Jackie, Eric and Jess find themselves in a race against time.

This is the premise of Under Salt Marsh, a thrilling six-part drama beautifully backdropped by Wales. It also boasts a stacked cast: Jonathan Pryce, Harry Lawty and Brian Gleeson all co-star. Ahead of its premiere on Sky Atlantic tonight, we sat down with one of the lead stars Naomi Yang to find out more, plus discuss her upcoming role in Vigil series 3 and how she lives a balanced life beyond the screen.

Q&A: Naomi Yang On Under Salt Marsh

Hi Naomi, how’s life going at the moment?

Life is very busy at the moment but I’m loving every minute of it. I’m also looking forward to a little break – I’m heading to Hong Kong in a few days and I’m excited for some warmer weather and to eat my body weight in dim sum. 

You are about to star in Under Salt Marsh – can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?

It’s about a devastating crime that occurs in the small Welsh town of Morfa Halen which brings up memories of a very similar cold case from a few years back. The race to find out the truth within this close-knit community is threatened by a once in a generation storm and secrets that have been buried come to the surface. It’s dark and a real thriller and I’m really excited for people to see it.

‘What was unique about this job was the location and how that really informed the character.’ (Naomi Yang as Jess Deng in Under Salt Marsh © Sky Atlantic)

Tell me about your character, Jess. What was it like playing her?

I play Jess Deng, a recently promoted detective who arrives in the town of Morfa Halen to work on the case and finds herself very much an outsider. She has to work hard to gain the trust of the community whilst also trying to stay true to herself. 

I miss playing her – she had this quiet strength to her that was often overlooked but she knew when to push back, even when the cost was high. She had real integrity.

How did you get into character, and did you do anything special to prepare for the role?

There was the usual prep of script work and character backstory and also lots of conducive and meaningful conversations with the director, Claire Oakley. But what was unique about this job was the location and how that really informed the character. We filmed for several months in North Wales, around Barmouth and Fairbourne, and instead of making the long journey back to London every weekend, I chose to stay up there. 

Being by the sea, surrounded by the hills and mountains of the Eryri National Park, I felt almost engulfed by the energy and vastness of it all, and that really helped inform how I wanted Jess to feel – that she was coming into this world as an outsider, and the community and space feeling at the same time both impenetrable and overwhelming. I got really into trail running as a way to escape that, because it really could become overbearing if you sit in that feeling too much. I got very fit though!

Any reference points you leaned on while preparing?

I was watching a lot of Twin Peaks at the time, and whilst tonally completely different I really connected with this idea of observation and feeling of intrusiveness when you come into a community as an outsider. There’s also the characters within that community that have their own language and dynamic going on. It definitely added to the eeriness of being in quite a secluded town in North Wales, far away from home, during the winter months.

‘I felt privileged to be working with actors that I think are not only extremely talented, but good people.‘ (Rafe Spall as Eric Bull & Naomi Yang as Jess Deng in Under Salt Marsh © Sky Atlantic)

Any standout moments from rehearsals or filming?

Me and Mark Stanley literally steaming by the heaters because we were soaked through from the rain machines. We looked like cartoon characters.

What about standout filming locations?

Newborough Forest. I’ve never been anywhere like it – it’s a forest on sand dunes and just utterly stunning. Also, a farm up in the hills with some very naughty sheep.

What was the cast dynamic on set, and who was your favourite person to work with?

I mean, no favourites, but I felt privileged to be working with actors that I think are not only extremely talented, but good people. We needed it with the conditions we were battling with!

You’ve also been announced as part of the Vigil season 3 cast. Tell me a bit about that?

I absolutely adore the series and so it’s very exciting to get to be a part of season 3. We’re in the latter stages of filming now and I’ve just been having the best time on this job.

Anything you can tease about your role in the series?

I can’t reveal much but let’s just say I’m really getting my steps in! And I’m very cold a lot of the time.

Filming is taking place in Scotland and Svalbard. Can you tell me a bit about that? Any highlights?

Oh, absolutely! I mean, Svalbard! The North Pole. It’s gonna be hard to beat that for a work trip. I bought some crampons and did a few runs whilst I was there and would just quietly say to myself every few seconds, ‘wow’. I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing. The highlight though has to be seeing fresh polar bear tracks (whilst also making absolutely sure that they were now far enough away!). 

Also, I love Scotland and Glasgow is one of my favourite cities. I filmed here a few years ago and I’m loving being back here. 

‘I feel really privileged for Ben Whishaw to have been the first actor I worked with.’
Photographer: Craig Gibson
Styling: Sarah Harrison
Makeup: Min Sandhu
Hair: Sophie Sugarman

Any other roles in the pipeline that you’re excited about? (If you’re allowed to tell us!)

Manifesting a few – life of an actor.

Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?

I don’t have favourites but working with Jonathan Pryce on Under Salt Marsh was pretty special.

Which co-star did you learn the most from?

Ben Whishaw on my very first job. I was totally green – I was working an admin job in a charity and having gone to this open audition for a film [Lilting, 2014], I was somehow on set having never been in front of a camera before. Ben was so kind and gentle and I just adored watching him work. I feel really privileged for that job to have been my introduction to the industry, and for Ben to have been the first actor I’d worked with. He is such a gorgeous human and made the work seem effortless, and in every job I’ve done since, I still chase that same feeling I had with him on set, of feeling totally at ease.

What’s your dream role?

Something that requires months of stunt training.

What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?

Comedy. Maybe action comedy? Get that stunt training in with some laughs along the way.

Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?

Will Sharpe. I just think everything he touches is smart, hilarious and totally unique. I would love to work with him, or just to watch him work and get a glimpse of how he creates.

Do you get to spend much time at home?

I travel a lot for work but it means that the time I do spend at home, I really relish. I have a little flat that’s all mine and just doing something super simple like making a cup of tea and reading a book really grounds me which means so much when I’m away for long periods.

Do you live in the town or the country? Which do you prefer?

I live in SE London and I love it. Some of my closest friends live nearby and I feel really lucky to have my own little community going on. If I could live anywhere though I would live by the sea; I immediately feel calm and grounded when I’m near water.

What’s your interior design style?

I like a mix of colour and cosy textures. I like my space to be surrounded by things that bring me joy, or tell a story, or have sentimental value, and I worry less about things fitting together or trying to achieve a certain style. The one thing I would really like though is a Japanese toilet! Just can’t beat it.

How do you find balance in your personal and work lives?

It’s tricky. My candle definitely burns at both ends and I’m constantly trying to find the right balance between my work and my personal life. One thing that I’ve got much better at which helps a lot is embracing the periods in between jobs. I used to panic and get stressed whenever I wasn’t working, but now I really savour the slower pace of life and being able to lean into all the other aspects of my life.

How can we all live a little bit better? 

Do the thing. If you’re scared, do the thing scared.

Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally? 

To be honest, just having a little break and hanging out with my mates who I haven’t seen in ages. Maybe planning a little holiday!

‘I used to panic and get stressed whenever I wasn’t working, but now I really savour the slower pace of life.’
Photographer: Craig Gibson
Styling: Sarah Harrison
Makeup: Min Sandhu
Hair: Sophie Sugarman

What Naomi Yang Is Loving Right Now

I’m currently watching… The Chair Company. If you know, you know.

What I’m reading… The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong. There’s already been a few tear-streaked pages. 

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Pillion. I walked out of the cinema feeling high on life. I loved how it explored romance and relationships on the margins. Love looks different for everyone but we all crave it and well, I just love love and this film had a lot of it. 

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… The Devil Wears Prada 2. More Miranda Priestly? Yes please.

Favourite film of all time… I honestly can’t pick a favourite but Before Sunrise always gets me. I also have to mention Past Lives because that scene at the end where they’re just looking at each other and then it cuts to them as kids. It’s too much. 

Band/singer I always have on repeat… Currently, Fujii Kaze and specifically his Tiny Desk Concert. I went on a road trip around Japan with my friends Neel and Davina last year – their little boy Soren was obsessed with him and would clap every time we put him on. He fully influenced me and now I’m a super fan. 

My ultimate cultural recommendation… Uncle Wrinkle in New Cross. Banging Chinese food and the woman that works there sells her gorgeous pottery pieces at the back of the takeaway. Find a stunning gift, shop local, all whilst eating the best roast duck crispy noodles of your life.

Naomi Yang stars in Under Salt Marsh, premiering with a double bill tonight at 9pm on Sky Atlantic. New episodes air on Fridays. Catch up on NOW.

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