The school drama is returning as part of the BBC’s efforts to boost drama production skills in the North
Waterloo Road, the hugely popular school drama which ran for almost a decade, will be returning to the BBC.
The show, which originally aired from 2006 to 2015, followed the various goings-on and dramas at a comprehensive school of the same name. The new series will be set and made in Greater Manchester, with a date for its return yet to be announced.
Revealing the news on Thursday (September 23), the BBC said: “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 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 broadcaster added that the return of the popular drama 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.”
In September 2019, all episodes of the show were released on BBC iPlayer, and despite having been taken off air several years ago, it has remained one of the top five most-watched shows on the platform among younger audiences.
The show’s official Twitter page confirmed the news as well, with comments flooded with people delighted by the news and speculating about which characters and old cast members may be returning.
Psst. We've heard a rumour going around school 🤩
For more info, head over to 👉 https://t.co/lmJldnUnBL#WaterlooRoad pic.twitter.com/qJkiFDOJI7
— Waterloo Road (@WaterlooRoad) September 23, 2021
The director of BBC Drama said that they were “thrilled” to be bringing the series back.
Piers Wenger 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.”
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.”
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