‘Wolf Bay’ Launches Horror on the High Seas in New BBC ALBA Series

A funeral journey to North Uist becomes something far more dangerous in Loch nam Madadh / Wolf Bay, a new short-form Gaelic horror series that strands one reluctant traveller on a ferry with his past, his ex and something sinister moving through the ship.

The six-part series, made up of 10-minute episodes, launches on BBC iPlayer and the BBC ALBA YouTube channel on 23 October, just ahead of Halloween. Created and written by Claire Aza-Selinger with Maureen Macleod as co-writer, it follows Angus, played by Andrew MacInnes, as he returns to North Uist for his grandfather’s funeral.

He is hoping to keep a low profile, but that becomes impossible when he discovers that his ex-girlfriend Màiri, played by Ellen Macdonald, is also on board with her fiancé Colin and her mother Margaret. Then Angus makes a gruesome discovery in the ferry cafeteria.

As the vessel enters the treacherous waters of Wolf Bay, his already uncomfortable journey develops into a fight for survival. Angus is forced to confront both the unresolved tensions in his personal life and an increasingly threatening presence roaming the decks.

The series has been developed specifically with younger digital audiences in mind. It is being billed as the first Gaelic drama aimed directly at 18 to 24-year-olds who primarily consume content on phones and other devices, with its compact format designed around fast pacing, cliffhangers, horror beats and dark humour.

MacInnes is joined by Bannan star Macdonald, Alasdair Jordan in his screen debut as Colin and Elspeth Turner as Margaret.

“Back when we first started developing this, we knew there was something really special and different about the material,” said executive producer Natalie Humphreys. “The whole team on and off screen has put heart and soul into it and we’re excited to share it with audiences.”

BBC Scotland commissioning editor Gavin Smith described the project as “frightening and funny in equal measure”, while MG ALBA commissioning editor Bill Macleod called it “one of the wittiest and most distinctive ideas to have ever come my way”.

Both Aza-Selinger and Macleod are from the Western Isles, giving the production a direct connection to the culture and landscape behind the series. Alasdair MacLean directs, with Parker Dawes serving as shadow director.

Loch nam Madadh / Wolf Bay is produced by Storyboard Studios and co-funded by MG ALBA, BBC Scotland and Screen Scotland, with the project forming part of a wider push towards digital-first Gaelic drama. It will be available on BBC iPlayer and the BBC ALBA YouTube channel from Friday 23 October 2026. For more information, visit: bbc.co.uk/