Waterloo Road fans finally have a date for when they can expect to see the popular BBC show back on screen. In September 2021 bosses of the BBC announced that the school-based drama, set in Greater Manchester, would be returning with a brand new series.
The reboot of the award-winning series, which ran from 2006 to 2015 before being axed, will see some famous faces join the cast as well as some original characters much to the delight of fans. Emmerdale's Adam Thomas will return to his role as Donte Charles, who was a memorable name in the first four series of the BBC drama.
This time around the actor will have his real-life family joining him with his son Teddy and his niece Scarlett, daughter of his brother Coronation Street's Ryan Thomas, playing his on-screen children as seen in first-look pictures released by the BBC.
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Katie Griffiths will also return to play Chlo Grainger, Donte's childhood lover and now wife and mum of their two children.
Angela Griffin, who played teacher Kim Campbell, will also return as Waterloo Road's new headteacher.
Strictly Come Dancing and former Coronation Street star Kym Marsh is set to join the cast and step into the role of Nicky Walters.
The new series is being set and filmed in Greater Manchester once again despite the final four series being moved to Scotland.
The reboot of the drama will follow lives at a troubled comprehensive school but this time with parents and teachers learning to navigate the ever-changing social landscape, from homelessness, the cost of living, LGBTQ+, racism, sexism and mental health, the BBC said.
The BBC says the revival plans to shine a spotlight on the education system in the UK. It will explore the challenges faced by teachers, parents and pupils, all of which have become more pronounced during the pandemic.
The reboot is part of the BBC’s commitment to make more programmes across the UK to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country.
The original series was an early venture for many actors, including Bridgerton stars Rege-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor, and Victoria’s Jenna Coleman.
The series was one of the most popular UK TV dramas while it aired, and garnered new audiences after the boxset was released on BBC iPlayer in September 2019.
Waterloo Road fans can expect to see the show return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in January.
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