The Bay (web series)


The Bay is a digital drama series that premiered on September 15, 2010, at Blip.tv and later moved to Amazon Prime. Starring Mary Beth Evans as wealthy socialite Sara Garrett and Kristos Andrews as her youngest "golden boy" son Pete Garrett, the series was created by Gregori J. Martin. It is set in the posh seaside town of Bay City, where the privileged residents are entangled in one scandal, betrayal or love affair after the other.
The Bay was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2012 for Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Short Format Daytime, won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding New Approaches Drama Series in 2015, and a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series in 2016, 2017, and 2018.

Plot

Sara Garrett rules the social set of Bay City, where passions run high and every relationship is complicated.

Cast

Series regulars

Casting

Created by Martin, The Bay was announced in May 2010, with Tristan Rogers, Lilly Melgar, John Callahan and Sandra Robinson attached to star. Days later, We Love Soaps reported that Mary Beth Evans had been cast as the lead, Sara Garrett. Matthew Ashford was added in July as Steve Jensen, Sara's rapist and the father of her eldest child, Brian. By August 2010, Dylan Bruce had been cast as Brian, and Martha Madison as Sara's daughter Marly. Around the same time, Rogers' character was identified as Police Commissioner Lex Martin, who shares a past with Sara, and Melgar was noted to be playing Janice Ramos, Sara's fiery nemesis.
From the beginning, the series has featured many notable American soap opera actors in its regular and guest cast. In 2011, Evans and her character Sara made a crossover appearance on the web series Pretty.

Production and broadcast

Martin executive produces with Kristos Andrews, who also stars as Sara's son, Pete Garrett.
Premiering at Blip.tv on September 15, 2010, the first season included four "chapters" of four episodes each, as well as an eight-episode Summer Special 2011 called Far From The Bay. In February 2011, Jim Romanovich of Associated Television International announced plans to repackage the series into 30-minute episodes and pitch it to cable networks and key local TV stations.
Season 2 premiered on October 27, 2011, again comprising 16 episodes in four chapters, as well as an eight-episode Thanksgiving Special called HoliBays, and a five-episode Summer Special 2012 called Darkside of The Bay. In August 2013, Blip.tv was acquired by Maker Studios.
Season 3 premiered on December 5, 2013. Maker Studios shut down Blip.tv on August 20, 2015 and redirected it to Maker.tv.
In September 2015, Martin announced eight new installments for a forthcoming season 4. The fourth season premiered on Vimeo on December 1, 2015 with the eighth episode airing on December 22. Production resumed in May 2016 on the final six episodes of the season. The Bay is available for streaming in a limited capacity at thebaytheseries.com.

Amazon Prime

In April 2015, Soap Opera Digest reported that episodes of The Bay would be re-released on Amazon Prime in summer 2016 as two 14-episode seasons. According to Martin, they will be "remastered episodes with never before seen footage, the show will have a new starting point". A 14-episode first season was made available for streaming starting September 6, 2016. A second season of 14 digitally remastered episodes including "brand-new, never-before-seen episodes" was released on November 29, 2016. Wendy Riche joined the production as a writer for the Amazon season 2, becoming an executive producer for the second half of the season. A third season is in production with Martin, Andrews, and Riche as executive producers and set for release in spring 2017.

Reception

In December 2010, Martin was named by We Love Soaps as one of the 15 Most Fascinating People of 2010 for his work on the series. Michael Logan of TV Guide noted The Bay "terrific reviews" in 2011. Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Alina Adams named the series one of the "4 best soap operas on the web" in 2015.

Awards and recognition

The Bay won a 2015 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding New Approaches Drama Series. Along with Martin and Andrews as executive producers, the winning team included Supervising Producer Nadine Aronson, Coordinating Producer Carol C. Hedgepeth and producers Anthony Aquilino, Braxton Davis, Devin DeVasquez, Mary Beth Evans, Celeste Fianna, Jade Harlow, Lilly Melgar, Ronn Moss, Eric Nelsen, Sainty Nelsen, Jared Safier, Derrell Whitt, Salvatore V. Zannino The series was previously nominated in 2012 for Outstanding Special Class Short Format Daytime.
In 2016, The Bay received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series. Mary Beth Evans, Lilly Melgar and Patsy Pease were nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series for their roles, and Kristos Andrews was nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series. The Bay won for Outstanding Digital Series, and Evans and Andrews won in the performer categories. The Bay was nominated for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series again in 2017, with Evans and Melgar nominated in the renamed category Outstanding Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series and Andrews nominated in the renamed Outstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series. Carolyn Hennesy, Jade Harlow, and Kym Whitley were nominated in the newly created category Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama Series, and Nicolas Coster, Matthew Ashford, and Ronn Moss were nominated in the newly created category Outstanding Supporting or Guest Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama Series. The Bay won Outstanding Digital Series, and swept the performer categories with wins for Evans, Andrews, Hennesy, and Coster. The series earned 15 nominations in 2018, winning Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series, and Outstanding Directing in a Digital Drama Series, as well as performer Emmys for Andrews, Harlow, Eric Nelsen, and Patrika Darbo. Darbo's award was later revoked due to a submission error.
To date, the series has won 11 Indie Series Awards, and has been nominated for several more. In 2017, the series earned a record 21 Indie Series Award nominations.
YearAwardCategoryNomineeResult
20112nd Indie Soap AwardsOutstanding DirectingGregori J. Martin
20112nd Indie Soap AwardsFan's Choice Award
20112nd Indie Soap AwardsOutstanding Lead ActorCamden Toy
20112nd Indie Soap AwardsOutstanding Ensemble
20112nd Indie Soap AwardsBest Storyline"Igor's revenge"
201239th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Special Class Short Format DaytimeGregori J. Martin, Kristos Andrews and Derrell Whitt
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsBest CrossoverMichael O'Leary
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsBest CrossoverMary Beth Evans
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsFan's Choice Award
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsBest Directing – DramaGregori J. Martin
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsBest Supporting Actor – DramaNicolas Coster
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsBest Supporting Actor – DramaDerrell Whitt
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsBest Ensemble – Drama
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsBest Guest Appearance – DramaAnna Holbrook
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsBest Guest Appearance – DramaIlene Kristen
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsBest Breakout PerformanceKristos Andrews
20123rd Indie Soap AwardsBest CinematographyMatthias Schubert, Gareth Taylor and Andre Lomov
20145th Indie Series AwardsBest Ensemble – Drama
20145th Indie Series AwardsBest MakeupEric Kirker, Renonda Bray, Dre Lamparello and Anna Habrat
201542nd Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding New Approaches Drama SeriesGregori J. Martin, Kristos Andrews, Nadine Aronson, Carol C. Hedgepeth, Anthony Aquilino, Braxton Davis, Devin DeVasquez, Mary Beth Evans, Celeste Fianna, Jade Harlow, Lilly Melgar, Ronn Moss, Eric Nelsen, Sainty Nelsen, Jared Safier, Derrell Whitt and Salvatore V. Zannino
20156th Indie Series AwardsBest Lead Actress – DramaLilly Melgar
20156th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actor – DramaCharles Shaughnessy
20156th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actress – DramaPatrika Darbo
20156th Indie Series AwardsBest MakeupRen Bray
201643rd Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Digital Daytime Drama SeriesKristos Andrews, Gregori J. Martin, Anthony Aquilino, Michael W. Ferro, Jr., Jared Safier, Carol C. Hedgepeth, Matthew Ashford, Devin DeVasquez, Mary Beth Evans, Celeste Fianna, Jade Harlow, Lilly Melgar, Ronn Moss, Kira Reed Lorsch, Karrueche Tran, Salvatore Zannino, and Chrystal Ayers
201643rd Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesMary Beth Evans
201643rd Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesLilly Melgar
201643rd Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesPatsy Pease
201643rd Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesKristos Andrews
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest Lead Actress – DramaLilly Melgar
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actress – DramaKym Whitley
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest Web Series – Drama
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest Directing – DramaGregori J. Martin
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest Supporting Actor – DramaTristan Rogers
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest Supporting Actress – DramaKarrueche Tran
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actor – DramaEric Martsolf
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actress – DramaPatsy Pease
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest Ensemble – Drama
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest CinematographyMatthias Schubert
20167th Indie Series AwardsBest MakeupRen Bray
201744th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Digital Daytime Drama SeriesGregori J. Martin, Wendy Riche, Kristos Andrews, Anthony Aquillino, Michael W. Ferro Jr., Carol C. Hedgepeth, Nadine Aronson, Jared Safier, Matthew Ashford, Devin Devasquez, Mary Beth Evans, Celeste Fianna, Kira Reed Lorsch, Ronn Moss, Eric Nelsen, Sainty Nelsen, Karrueche Tran, Meadow Williams, Chrystal Ayers
201744th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesMary Beth Evans
201744th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesLilly Melgar
201744th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesKristos Andrews
201744th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting or Guest Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesCarolyn Hennesy
201744th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting or Guest Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesJade Harlow
201744th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting or Guest Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesKym Whitley
201744th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting or Guest Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesNicolas Coster
201744th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting or Guest Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesMatthew Ashford
201744th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting or Guest Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesRonn Moss
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Web Series — Drama
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actress — DramaCarolyn Hennesy
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Ensemble — Drama
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Production DesignSarah Asaly
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest MakeupRen Bray
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Directing — DramaGregori J. Martin
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Writing — DramaGregori J. Martin & Wendy Riche
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Lead Actor — DramaKristos Andrews
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Lead Actress — DramaMary Beth Evans
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Lead Actress — DramaLilly Melgar
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Supporting Actor — DramaMatthew Ashford
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Supporting Actor — DramaNicolas Coster
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Supporting Actress — DramaJade Harlow
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Supporting Actress — DramaKarrueche Tran
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actor — DramaBrandon Beemer
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actor — DramaKevin Spirtas
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actress — DramaPatrika Darbo
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Guest Actress — DramaKym Whitley
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest Costume DesignMarquita Lopez
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest EditingJeremy Snider & Tiffany Petitt
20178th Indie Series AwardsBest CinematographyMatthias Schubert
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesMary Beth Evans
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesLilly Melgar
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Lead Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesKristos Andrews
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesJade Harlow
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesTerri Ivens
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesKira Reed Lorsch
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesBrandon Beemer
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesEric Nelsen
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesDerrell Whitt
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesThomas Calabro
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesPatrika Darbo
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Guest Performer in a Digital Daytime Drama SeriesChad Duell
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Writing in a Digital Drama Series
201845th Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Directing in a Digital Drama SeriesGregori Martin