Waterloo Road, the award-winning contemporary drama series set in a comprehensive school, is returning to BBC One.
The new series of Waterloo Road will be set and made in the Greater Manchester area and produced by award-winning Wall To Wall Media and Rope Ladder Fiction, the new Manchester-based production company from Cameron Roach, who executive produced the previous series of Waterloo Road in both Rochdale, Greater Manchester and Greenock, Inverclyde.
The new series of Waterloo Road will be set and made in the Greater Manchester area and produced by award-winning Wall To Wall Media and Rope Ladder Fiction, the new Manchester-based production company from Cameron Roach, who executive produced the previous series of Waterloo Road in both Rochdale, Greater Manchester and Greenock, Inverclyde.
Originally airing on the BBC from 2006 to 2015, Waterloo Road was one of the United Kingdom's most popular and longest-running British 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 and 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 Great Britain is more intense now than ever before, with awareness of the challenges that teachers, parents and pupils face even more pronounced amidst the ongoing pandemic. Waterloo Road will use its rich history of telling entertaining and gripping human stories while tackling the important issues of the day.
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.
Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, says:
"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."
Cameron Roach, Executive Producer, explains:
"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."
Waterloo Road was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama.
Cameron Roach will return to executive produce for Wall to Wall/Rope Ladder Fiction and Executive Producers for the BBC have been revealed as Gaynor Holmes and Jo McClellan.
Further information about the series including casting will be revealed in due course.
The exciting return announcement was made by the official Waterloo Road Twitter account earlier today.
The spotlight on education in Great Britain is more intense now than ever before, with awareness of the challenges that teachers, parents and pupils face even more pronounced amidst the ongoing pandemic. Waterloo Road will use its rich history of telling entertaining and gripping human stories while tackling the important issues of the day.
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.
Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, says:
"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."
Cameron Roach, Executive Producer, explains:
"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."
Waterloo Road was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama.
Cameron Roach will return to executive produce for Wall to Wall/Rope Ladder Fiction and Executive Producers for the BBC have been revealed as Gaynor Holmes and Jo McClellan.
Further information about the series including casting will be revealed in due course.
The exciting return announcement was made by the official Waterloo Road Twitter account earlier today.
Psst. We've heard a rumour going around school □
— Waterloo Road (@WaterlooRoad) September 23, 2021
For more info, head over to □ http://t.co/lmJldnUnBL#WaterlooRoad pic.twitter.com/qJkiFDOJI7
Since then, fans of the popular School drama took to Social Media to express their delight.
At first, Amy couldn't believe what she was reading.
At first, Amy couldn't believe what she was reading.
#WaterlooRoad is returning?!?!?!?!?!
— Amy (@amyyyy_amy) September 23, 2021
Webbers is up for it.
#WaterlooRoad Is back! Come on!
— Webbers246 (@Webbers246) September 23, 2021
Lucy's day was made.
#WaterlooRoad coming back has literally made my day.. honestly loved that programme so much □
— Lucy (@LucyB1110) September 23, 2021
Emily might be still buzzing, I'm not sure.
I am BUZZING that #WaterlooRoad is back
— Emily Rose Chriscoli (@EmilyRChriscoli) September 23, 2021
Cara's 2021 has been made even better.
This has made 2021 even better ☺️ #WaterlooRoad https://t.co/DxQQsDHjUZ
— Cara□□ (@Cara_lennon94) September 23, 2021
Fans of Emmerdale actor Rosie Bentham were "gutted" it was axed and hopes to see their favourite Head Teacher make an appearance.
Was gutted when Waterloo road ended but so excited now that’s it’s returning back to our screens! Hopefully we might get Rachel mason back as the headteacher again? □#waterlooroad #rachelmason
— Rosie Bentham Fans (@BenthamFans) September 23, 2021
Tara wants to see new faces and the old school back.
We need the old school backkkk. I wanna see some old facesssss #WaterlooRoad
— TyraMalik□ (@Tyramalik1234) September 23, 2021
Sorry, Tara but the original building in Rochdale has been demolished and a new housing estate has been erected as Daniel, perplexedly, expressed on his Twitter account.
Waterloo Road returning? How they gonna do that? Haven’t both the schools they used been knocked down? □ #WaterlooRoad
— Daniel Moriarty (@mozzerjnr) September 23, 2021
Shane was surprised at the news.
Wow! That’s a surprise. #WaterlooRoad https://t.co/KVylCuEmqT
— Shane Andrews MBE (@gingio) September 23, 2021
Jay loves to see it.
Things you ❤️ to see. #WaterlooRoad https://t.co/rcctAkLxvu
— Jay Alderson (@Jay_Alderson04) September 23, 2021
Katie McGlynn - who portrayed Jodie Allen - has recently signed with Hollyoaks and will be a part of BBC's Strictly Come Dancing this year but that hasn't stopped Chloe wanting Scout to appear in the series.
Bring @KatiexMcGlynn back as a teacher, it’s meant to be! □ #WaterlooRoad
— Chloe Knight (@knightchlo) September 23, 2021
But Mala doesn't want the new revamp unless Waterloo Road icons Grantly Budgen (Philip Martin Brown) and Thomas Clarkson (Jason Done) are involved. Shouldn't at all be an issue, Mala, since both characters were killed off in the programmes's original run.
And Hollie wants to pay respects to characters that won't make the reboot.
Unless they can bring Tom clarkson and Grantley budgen back to life I don’t want it #waterlooroad
— Maia Chappell (@MaiaChappell) September 23, 2021
a moment of silence for these angels x #WaterlooRoad pic.twitter.com/g6An6FOA6I
— hollie (@jensmetcalfe) September 23, 2021
Speaking exclusively to InformingBritain.com, former Waterloo Cast members shared their thoughts on the new series.
Adiza Shardow (left) ortrayed Liberty Gordon for two years in the eighth series spoke fondly of how diverse the programme was.
Adiza, said:
"I'm so excited to hear the show is coming back. I felt it was way before it's time as it always had a multicultural cast and touched on important subjects like immigration and homophobia. It was my first ever TV job and it opened up the doors to the industry for me and still to this day I get the odd person recognising me. It was a pleasure to be part of this show and I can’t wait to see the new generation of young British talent come out in this new chapter."
Adiza, said:
"I'm so excited to hear the show is coming back. I felt it was way before it's time as it always had a multicultural cast and touched on important subjects like immigration and homophobia. It was my first ever TV job and it opened up the doors to the industry for me and still to this day I get the odd person recognising me. It was a pleasure to be part of this show and I can’t wait to see the new generation of young British talent come out in this new chapter."
Laura Aikman played Lorna Hutchinson, the Deputy Head Teacher in series 10, speaks of the massive appetite for the show.
Laura, said:
"It was a great show to be a part of and I wish them every success with the reboot. There's certainly a massive appetite for it and a lot of love out there for WR!"
Laura, said:
"It was a great show to be a part of and I wish them every success with the reboot. There's certainly a massive appetite for it and a lot of love out there for WR!"
Holly Matthews (right) was cast as Leigh-Ann Galloway in three episodes. Surprisingly, Holly was not aware of the Waterloo Road news when InformingBritain.com approached her for comment.
Holly, said:
"Great to hear of the return of Waterloo Road, great show to be part of and bloody good viewing! People need gritty northern drama in their life and I’m not sure anything has filled the shoes of WR!"
Holly, said:
"Great to hear of the return of Waterloo Road, great show to be part of and bloody good viewing! People need gritty northern drama in their life and I’m not sure anything has filled the shoes of WR!"
Lisa Riley (left) potrayed Tina Allen throughout Series 7 and returned for a brief stint in Series 8. Tina was the mother of Jodie "Scout" Allen, who Katie McGlynn (right) played.
Speaking exclusively to InformingBritain.com about the reprisal Lisa, said:
"I am absolutely over the moon that Waterloo Road is returning I had such wonderful years working on the show with my incredible daughter Kate, she is such a fantastic, professional actor and we became so bonded on that show. It's such a fantastic platform for Northern actors, cannot wait to see all the upcoming episodes. Plenty of topical, moving stories."
Speaking exclusively to InformingBritain.com about the reprisal Lisa, said:
"I am absolutely over the moon that Waterloo Road is returning I had such wonderful years working on the show with my incredible daughter Kate, she is such a fantastic, professional actor and we became so bonded on that show. It's such a fantastic platform for Northern actors, cannot wait to see all the upcoming episodes. Plenty of topical, moving stories."
Philip Martin Brown holds the record for appearing in more Waterloo Road episodes than any other actor who popped up in the series. His episode count weighs in an impressive 159 and is unlikely to be beaten. Philip played curmudgeonly cynical Grantly Budgen, Waterloo Road School's longest serving teaching staff. Philip was full of high praise for one of the reboot's Executive Producers when speaking exclusively to InformingBritain.com.
Philip, said:
I wish the show all the best. It is in the very capable hands of Cameron Roache, the Executive Producer. Cameron was heavily involved in the original production."
Philip, said:
I wish the show all the best. It is in the very capable hands of Cameron Roache, the Executive Producer. Cameron was heavily involved in the original production."
It is unclear as to when the brand new Waterloo Road will be shown on the BBC but InformingBritain.com can confirm at least one episode has been written and, according to Michelle Smith (the Casting Director), production of the programme will begin soon.
Once InformingBritain.com sources the official broadcast start date, you will find out right here.
Once InformingBritain.com sources the official broadcast start date, you will find out right here.
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