AWARD winning drama Ackley Bridge is returning to screens for a fifth series.
The Channel 4 school drama has been a firm favourite with viewers and critics alike.
How many episodes are in Ackley Bridge season 5?
This season, Ackley Bridge is treating viewers to ten episodes all aired in double bills.
The new season continues from where viewers left off, in the middle of the school year.
In those ten episodes, there’s also a cast of new character joining such as Laila Zaidi as Asma Farooqi, a new teacher who will ruffle feathers.
Season 5 sees Top Boy actor Ashley Walters make his TV directorial debut for the first five episodes.
Ackley Bridge returned for series 5 on a cliffhanger
“As an actor’s director, Ashley has empathy,” lead actor Rob James-Collier told Whattowatch.com. “Every time he gave a note during filming, it was insightful and said in a collaborative, non-patronising way.
“It was a pleasure to be directed by him.”
When does the show start on Channel 4?
The new 10-part series of Ackley Bridge starts on Channel 4 on Monday July 11, 2022 at 10pm.
Fans will get a double dose of the school with two episodes airing every Monday night.
The double bill will end at 11pm, with each episode running for 30 minutes.
All episodes will be available to watch on All 4 after they have aired – you can also watch past series’ on there as well.
What happened in Ackley Bridge season 4?
Season five will begin with the aftermath Johnny, Kayla, and Fizza’s love triangle as the group attempts to navigate the second half of the school year.
Viewers will recall Fizza’s romantic history with Johnny, which added to the tension when he abandoned his fiancée Rose at the altar to run away with Fizza’s best friend Kayla.
As for the adults, Martin continues to feel pressure in his role as headteacher when his job is scrutinised by Ken and when new teacher Asma arrives to stir things up, things only get worse for him.
Meanwhile, Kaneez is back at school and faces her most difficult challenge yet when new boy Kyle makes it his mission to cause some trouble.
Rebecca Holdsworth, Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor, said: “I’m thrilled to be revisiting Ackley Bridge to see what is in store for our pupils and teachers. Series five promises the same trademark mix of funny, heartfelt and hard-hitting stories.”
George Ormond, Executive Producer, The Forge, added: “We’re delighted to be back for another series in our rowdy school and our left-behind town. It’s been a lot of fun coming up with series 5 and we can’t wait to share it.”
