The Bay fans stunned to spot former EastEnders actor looking TOTALLY different

The Bay ITV

The Bay fans were shocked to see a familiar face in tonight's first episode of the second series...

Former EastEnders star Thomas Law is looking all grown up in his new role as DC Eddie Martin in The Bay, which returned to ITV tonight for a second series.

The crime drama stars a number of former Walford favourites including Joe Absolom who played Matthew Rose and Lindsey Coulson who is better known to soap fans as Carol Jackson.

The Bay Season 2

Lisa Armstrong is back in a second series of The Bay (Picture: ITV)

From Albert Square to The Bay

But there was a third familiar face from Albert Square on screen tonight and fans were delighted to spot Thomas Law, who played Peter Beale between 2006 and 2010.

More: How to watch The Bay season 2 online anywhere in the world 

The character of Peter Beale is one of the more re-cast roles in soap history - and out of the 7 names to play Ian Beale's son, Thomas was the fifth.

The Bay Thomas Law

Former EastEnders star Thomas Law in The Bay as DC Eddie Martin (Picture: ITV)

Fans took to social media to share their excitement at seeing Thomas back on their screens...

But it wasn't just spotting a familiar face that had fans of The Bay gripped tonight.

Opening the series with a twist 

The episode opened with a huge twist that saw Morecambe resident Stephen Marshbrook killed in cold blood on his doorstep by what appeared to be a parcel delivery man.

The shocking murder came as Stephen and his wife Rose were hosting a family BBQ to celebrate the retirement of Rose's dad, Bill Bradwell.

How to watch The Bay season 2 online anywhere in the world

Will Lisa manage to the latest crime in Morecambe? (Picture: ITV) (Image credit: Jonny Birch)

However, with Stephen and Rose's 10-year-old son, Oliver, as the only witness to the crime, it is up to a family liaison officer Lisa Armstrong and her team to work out why anyone would want Stephen dead.

Fans will remember Lisa from season one, however she is now demoted after the drama that unfolded as she helped to solve the murder of a local teenager in the last series.

Still paying the price for her actions after she failed to disclose her one night stand with a suspect, Lisa was called to help the family of the murder victim tonight.

However there is a clash between her and her former protege Med Kharim, who she was mentoring in the first series.

With her former student now her superior, will Lisa manage to put her pride to one side and help find who killed Stephen?

All episodes of The Bay are now available to stream on ITV Hub and Britbox. 

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.