Popular BBC series Waterloo Road is set to return for two more series, it has been revealed.
The school-based drama first hit our screens in 2006, and aired for nine years, before being recommissioned in 2021 for its 11th series after gaining popularity on BBC iPlayer during lockdown.
Since its return to screens in 2023, it has remained one of iPlayer’s top performing titles with under 35’s.
Waterloo Road has been known to tackle topical issues, including the cost-of-living crisis, coercive control, neurodivergence, work-place politics, family drama, grief, and young love.
It has also launched the careers of countless young actors, including Jenna Coleman and Phoebe Dynevor.
With series 16 and 17 already under their belts, filming is set to begin on series 18 and 19 in the coming weeks.
The two new series will allow the production to continue with its investment in nurturing and developing creative talent in the North of England through its curated development programmes.
Namely, the recently announced production development scheme which has already given over 40 trainees paid entry-level work in the TV industry since 2022, and the Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme which was formed to support and grow the pool of women directors in the North of England.
The show, which is set and filmed in Manchester, will do most of its shooting for the new series from a new location, it has been reported.
TV giant Warner Bros is said to have leased the 48,500 square foot space that previously housed the warehouse for fashion brand Missguided on Trafford Wharf Road, close to Media City.
‘When the BBC commissioned the reboot of Waterloo Road we had hoped it might run for a few seasons, but to be commissioned for further series, bringing the total episodes since relaunch to seventy hours, is a huge achievement and a reflection of the incredible creative teams in front of and behind the camera,’ Cameron Roach, Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction and Exec Producer for Waterloo Road, said.
‘As well as continuing to celebrate emerging talent, the show is fast gaining a reputation for working with the best comedy talent, as Jon Richardson joins the cast this season.
‘As a team we’re incredibly proud that a very British show can be such an enduring success for the BBC and continue to bring in new generations of viewers.’
Joining Jon for the upcoming series is Jason Merrells, who reprised his role as former headteacher Jack Rimmer in series 15.
He will return as a full-time cast member for series 16, which is set to air in September.
Speaking about the new series, Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: ‘I’m delighted that Waterloo Road will be opening its corridors once again, with two more series of the hit drama about to start filming.
‘The show continues to entertain the audience who love to follow both the staff and pupils and, with a new series heading to BBC iPlayer and BBC One next month, they don’t have long to wait!’
