When is the new Waterloo Road coming out and who is in the cast?
BBC's Waterloo Road is returning to screens as we look at all you need to know ahead of its comeback.
The popular drama series about a troubled comprehensive school is returning to BBC One with fans asking when is the new Waterloo Road coming out and who is in the cast?
If you love school-based shows like Heartbreak High, or Netflix's Never Have I Ever you won't want to miss this Waterloo Road comeback.
Picture this, it's a new school year but it's not long before a peaceful protest turns into a school riot and the events of the day have huge ramifications for everyone involved.
And that's not all, there's plenty more scandals, fractured families and challenging kids for Headteacher Kim Campbell and her team as fire-fighting becomes a way of life.
Who said education was easy? As we look at all you need to know ahead of the Greater Manchester filmed series return...
When is the new Waterloo Road coming out?
The new Waterloo Road is coming out on Tuesday 3 January 2023 at 8pm on BBC One, the BBC has confirmed. The first episode will air at 8pm on BBC One and the full series is available in full as a boxset on BBC iPlayer. Meanwhile, on BBC One, the new series will air weekly.
Across the term, Waterloo Road’s teachers and parents are going to have to learn on their feet as they try to navigate the ever changing social landscape - from teen homelessness to the cost of living, being LGBTQ+, racism, sexism, mental health and everything else facing young teens today.
GoodtoKnow Newsletter
Parenting advice, hot topics, best buys and family finance tips delivered straight to your inbox.
Amongst the chaos, the students, faculty and parents still make time for friendships, fun, and a few romances. The pupils have a lot to contend with this term, but they will learn to lean on one another to survive the year and try to stay out of detention as much as possible.
Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, said, “Waterloo Road is the perfect lens through which to explore post Covid Britain, from the perspective of those who have arguably been affected most: young people in education. We are thrilled to be returning to this brilliant format - its thrills and spills, unmissable characters and high drama - at a time when audiences across Britain need it most. And to be collaborating with the brilliant Cameron Roach and Wall To Wall on its return.”
It’s official! #WaterlooRoad will return to your screens on Tuesday 3rd January at 8pm.Tag a friend to let them know 👇 pic.twitter.com/kpLHnuO4zrDecember 6, 2022
Waterloo Road 2023 cast
Among the cast returning for Waterloo Road 2023 is Angela Griffin (Kim Campbell), Adam Thomas (Donte Charles) and Katie Griffiths (Chlo Charles) are back, alongside Kym Marsh (Nicky Walters), Vincent Jerome (Lindon King), James Baxter (Joe Casey), Jo Coffey (Wendy Whitwell), Shauna Shim (Valerie Chambers), Neil Fitzmaurice (Neil Guthrie), Rachel Leskovac (Coral Walker), Katherine Pearce (Amy Spratt), Ryan Clayton (Mike Rutherford) and Sonia Ibrahim (Jamilah Omar).
And there's a new class of Waterloo Road, with actors playing pupil characters include Adam Abbou (Danny Lewis), Priyasasha Kumari (Samia Choudhry), Noah Valentine (Preston Walters), Adam Ali (Kai Sharif), Alicia Forde (Kelly-Jo Rafferty), Francesco Piacentini-Smith (Dean Weever), Liam Scholes (Noel McManus) and Lucy Eleanor Begg (Caz Williams).
Scarlett Thomas plays Izzy Charles and fellow junior student casting includes Summer Violet Bird (Tonya Walters), Ava Flannery (Verity King), Thapelo Ray (Dwanye Jackson), Inathi Rozani (Zayne Jackson), Chiamaka (ChiChi) Ulebor (Shola Aku) and Sahil Ismailkhil (Norrulah Ashimi).
And fans were recently treated to a glimpse of what to expect from the popular show in first-look images, promising lots of drama and big storylines.
Yes you might recognise her in the photo above, following in the family footsteps, Scarlett Thomas - Adam’s niece and daughter of former Waterloo Road star Tina O’Brien who is playing Izzy Charles - the daughter to characters Donte and Chlo Charles. Adam's son Teddy will also be making an appearance.
Originally airing on the BBC from 2006-2015, Waterloo Road was one of the UK’s most popular and longest-running TV dramas, with an impressive alumni of dynamic characters and award-winning storylines.
Such is the show’s enduring popularity, it has drawn both loyal and new young diverse audiences since it dropped as a boxset on BBC iPlayer in September 2019, consistently among the top five most-watched shows for young audiences on BBC iPlayer.
The spotlight on education in the UK is more intense now than ever before, with awareness of the challenges that teachers, parents and pupils face. Waterloo Road will use its rich history of telling entertaining and gripping human stories while tackling the important issues of the day.
Cameron Roach, Executive Producer added, "I’m really thrilled to be working with the BBC and Wall to Wall, in re-igniting the iconic brand of Waterloo Road. The vital and urgent stories that are playing out in schools across the UK provide incredible and emotionally powerful themes, that we’re excited to bring to a new generation of fans. Waterloo Road will continue its reputation for kickstarting, supporting and enabling careers both in front of and behind the camera, in a truly inclusive way, from our base in Greater Manchester."
The revival of Waterloo Road will boost drama production skills in the North of England and help to reshape the BBC's drama slate to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country. The series will provide a training ground for new and diverse writers which is of significant importance to both the BBC and Cameron Roach. Roach is renowned for his passion for long-running drama series and the power they have to develop and encourage emerging talent.
Waterloo Road season 2 coming soon.
Related BBC Features:
- SAS Rogue Heroes season 2
- Strcitly Christmas Special 2022 line up
- The Traitors
- The Pact season 2
- Who is Hamza Yassin?
Video of the week
Selina is a Senior Family Writer for GoodtoKnow and has more than 16 years years of experience. She specialises in royal family news, including the latest activities of Prince George, Charlotte, Louis, Archie and Lilibet. She also covers the latest government, health and charity advice for families. Selina graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a degree in Journalism, and gained her NCTJ and NCE qualifications. During her career, she’s also written for Woman, Woman's Own, Woman&Home, and Woman's Weekly as well as Heat magazine, Bang Showbiz - and the Scunthorpe Telegraph. When she's not covering family news, you can find her exploring new countryside walking routes, catching up with friends over good food, or making memories (including award-winning scarecrows!)
-
Balamory is back after two decades - why we can’t wait for the reboot of the iconic BBC series
What's the story in Balamory? Now you can find out, as the BBC announces the return of the beloved children's series nearly 20 years after the final episode aired.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Francesca in Bridgerton gay? With more great representation in the show, this expert shares how to start the conversation around sexuality with your teen if they’re watching
Is Francesca in Bridgerton gay? It's a question many have asked, and you might need to have conversations around sexuality with your teen if they’re watching.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Eric a true story? Benedict Cumberbatch lives every parent’s worst nightmare in new Netflix show
Is Eric a true story? Every parent’s worst nightmare plays out in Netflix's latest show, against a backdrop of 80s New York grappling with AIDS and racism.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Normal People season 2 rumours are circulating, and we have our own Marianne and Connell 'first love' stories to share
Normal People season 2 rumours are flying around, and we have our own Marianne and Connell moments to share - because everyone remembers their first heartbreak.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Channel 4 drama The Gathering explores 'toxic teenagers and their even more toxic parents' in an online world dominated by social media
New Channel 4 drama explores the challenges of impossible standards set by social media, and how parents themselves become toxic in their need to protect their kids.
By Lucy Wigley Published
-
Is Brandy pregnant? Bluey fans think the Heelers could be about to welcome a new cousin following the season 3 finale
Eagle-eyed Bluey viewers are wondering if Aunt Brandy is pregnant, following a touching moment in the season three finale.
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
Is Bluey ending? What we know about the rumours around the kids' cartoon, as the Heelers put their house up for sale
Bluey's producer has shared an update on the show's future
By Ellie Hutchings Published
-
CoComelon has been accused of being 'overstimulating' - the experts explain why it's ok to let your kid watch the popular cartoon
CoComelon is adored by kids around the world, but some experts have shared reasons they don't think children should be watching - we look at both sides of the argument.
By Lucy Wigley Published