The BBC has announced that Waterloo Road will return to BBC One and iPlayer this May for a new series consisting of seven episodes.
The rebooted, Greater Manchester-based school drama will welcome back familiar faces including Jamie Glover, who was last seen as the much-loved character of Andrew Treneman back in the pre-rebooted days of 2009.
The ex-deputy head, English teacher, and former flame of Kim Campbell will return to Waterloo Road, but is Mr. Treneman back to help a struggling Kim take control of the school, or is he back to stir things up?
The popular drama series returned to screens in January after an eight-year hiatus, following a revival in audiences on BBC iPlayer during the first lockdown. The series remains especially popular with younger viewers, and is the BBC’s second biggest drama title with 16-34 year olds of the year so far, behind only Happy Valley.
Known for hard hitting storylines and relatable characters, the show reflects modern society with its portrayal of issues including the cost of living crisis, teen homelessness, racism, sexism, being LGBTQ+, mental health, and everything else facing young teens today. But amongst the chaos, the students, faculty and parents still make time for friendships, fun, and a few romances.
Also returning for another term will be audience favourites Angela Griffin (Kim Campbell), Adam Thomas (Donte Charles), 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).
New faces this series will include Paul Bazely (Benidorm, Black Mirror) and Jenny Platt (Coronation Street, The Bay) as parents of pupils, whilst Olwen May (Coronation Street, Happy Valley) and James Quinn (Early Doors, Coronation Street) are also set to make an appearance at the school.
The show’s star Angela Griffin said: “It’s great to be back on BBC One and to be able to offer iPlayer fans some great new episodes. We have such a wonderful and talented cast, all of whom bring so much to Waterloo Road. This series holds a fair few surprises for Kim and everyone around her and I can’t wait for people to catch up with all the action inside and outside the school.”
Returnee Glover added: “The school has been such an important part of my life and it’s wonderful to be able to rekindle the old flame. Not to mention the joy of getting to work with the incomparable Angela Griffin once more. I hope that people will enjoy seeing Andrew and Kim together in the school again. Older? Certainly, there’s the grey hair to prove it…! Wiser? Who knows?”
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama said: “We are thrilled that Waterloo Road is returning following its successful run earlier this year. To have Jamie Glover reprise his role as Andrew Treneman alongside our fantastic returning and new cast members is a real treat and we can’t wait to share more stories from the school.”
Fans of the show will also be able to get all the behind the scenes information from Waterloo Road – The Official Podcast which will be returning to BBC Sounds with hosts Adam Thomas and Priyasasha Kumari.
Waterloo Road is a Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North co-production for BBC One and iPlayer. The executive producers are Cameron Roach for Rope Ladder Fiction, Leanne Klein for Wall to Wall and Gaynor Holmes and Jo McClellan for the BBC.
