ITV The Bay: Real life of Marsha Thomason from growing up in Moston to being US TV star

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

The Bay is back with its third season, following family liaison officer DS Jenn Townsend at the centre of a new case.

Replacing Lisa Armstrong, DS Townsend is thrown in at the deep end when she is called to help with a murder investigation on her first day.

Actress Marsha Thomason stars as the sergeant and it's no mystery as to why; she's no stranger to detective roles.

The star, 46, previously played special agent Nicole Dechamps in NCIS: Los Angeles, among other prestigious TV and film roles.

Read more:Message to all freeview users as BBC TV channel makes return

She might have been born in Moston, Manchester, but Marsha has gone on to become US television royalty.

The performer attended Holy Trinity Primary School in Harpurhey and North Manchester High School for Girls in Moston.

She always had a keen interest in drama and attended the Oldham Television Workshop from the age of 13.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News back in 2004, Marsha admitted she would not be where she is today were it not for the Oldham Theatre Workshop where she first honed her talents.

"I was 12 when I joined and I owe everything to them. "It was where I got my first break and I just learnt so much there. Acting was just a hobby at first, but when I was 17 I realised it was all I wanted to do. "Without somewhere like that, how else was a girl from Manchester going to become a Hollywood actress?"

Marsha went on to study English at Manchester Metropolitan University and continued taking part in youth theatre productions before pursuing acting as a career.

Since making the move to America, Marsha has found love and started a family.

She currently resides in LA, having recently returned to England to star in The Bay.

Marsha married