THE BBC has stunned and delighted viewers with the unexpected announcement that Waterloo Road is returning.
The iconic BBC One school drama originally ran from 2006 to 2015 and was hugely popular. The new series is expected to air from next year.
Many famous actors walked the corridors of Waterloo Road, playing both students and teachers. Here’s what some of them have done since…
DENISE WELCH
She currently plays dance teacher from hell Trish Minniver on Hollyoaks, and was a regular on Loose Women for years.
Denise, 63, was one of Waterloo Road’s original cast members, playing French teacher Steph Haydock. on the BBC drama. Steph was a bit of a gossip but had a caring heart.
Denise quit the show after five series. Could she return for the new version?
NEIL MORRISSEY
The TV regular, best known for Men Behaving Badly, more recently appeared in Line of Duty, The Night Manager and The Good Karma Hospital.
He’s also the voice of Bob The Builder and owns a chain of pubs in Staffordshire.
Neil played Waterloo Road deputy head Eddie Lawson from 2007 to 2009.
Down to earth and well respected by the students, his personal life was a mess. Rejected by Rachel, he started a relationship with her sister Melissa, who he planned to marry until she did a runner after being exposed as a bigamist.
Eddie left the school because he was unable to work alongside Rachel every day.
TINA O’BRIEN
As part of Corrie’s iconic Platt family, Tina has been a Weatherfield regular as Sarah from 1999 to 2007 and from 2015 to now.
Tina also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2010.
On Waterloo Road she played Bex, who joined her family at the start of series six.
Her return caused tension, with it eventually being revealed she was abused in the porn industry.
JASON DONE
Actor Jason has appeared in Casualty, Vera and Netflix original The Innocents since leaving the show.
His character Tom Clarkson was a favourite on screen and with viewers.
The supportive English teacher became head of department and then deputy head teacher.
After the death of Izzie he looked after her daughters, Chlo and Mika, then dealt with the arrival of his son Josh.
After eight series, Tom tragically died when he tried to stop Kyle from taking his own life by jumping off the school roof.
Tom unintentionally fell off the roof to his death.
ADAM THOMAS
He’s now best known as trouble-prone farmer’s son Adam Barton on Emmerdale, a role he played from 2009 to 2018.
Adam, 33, played Waterloo Road bad boy Donte Charles, who realised he had to change after his irresponsible behaviour led to the death of his best friend Adam Deardon.
Donte married Chloe, who cheated on him with her sister’s boyfriend, but they got back together and later had a baby.
Last year, Adam appeared alongside his brothers Scott and Ryan (who played Corrie’s Jason Grimshaw) in the reality show Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai.
It’s believed that Adam is no longer pursuing acting opportunities, but both Emmerdale and Waterloo Road fans would love to see him return.
KATIE McGLYNN
She’s just made her debut as part of the line-up on Strictly Come Dancing, and Katie can also currently be seen playing Becky, a young woman caught up in conspiracy theories, on Hollyoaks.
Katie is best known for playing tragic Sinead Tinker on Coronation Street, a role she played from from 2013 to 2019. Katie won awards fro Sinead’s cervical cancer death storyline .
On Waterloo Road, Katie played Jodie Allen, better known as Scout, on the show.
Scout was an intelligent pupil, but was forced to provide for her family by stealing and dealing drugs.
PHOEBE DYNEVOR
She’s now recognised around the globe for her starring role as Daphne in Netflix’s smash hit period drama Bridgerton.
But Phoebe, 26, whose mother Sally plays Sally Metcalfe on Coronation Street, started out on Waterloo Road.
She played Siobhan Mailey, a teenager who tried everything to fit in, including joining a girl gang and then struggling to free herself from its clutches.
CHELSEE HEALEY
As part of the loud mouthed McQueen family on Hollyoaks, Chelsee has played the role of Goldie since 2016.
She also appeared on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2011, where she came second.
Chelsee was a Waterloo Road fixture, playing the role of gobby Janeece Bryant.
Janice had a hard time on the show after her best pal Maxine died, and she left in series four.
Fans were thrilled to see Janeece return in series six as the school’s secretary. She later had a baby and named her Cheryl after the Girls Aloud star, before eventually leaving for a new life in Ibiza with Cheryl.
JENNA COLEMAN
Most recently seen playing part of a real-life murderous couple in 1970s backpacker drama The Serpent, Jenna (previously known as Jenna-Louise) is on a roll.
She wowed audiences as the young Queen Victoria in ITV’s drama Victoria, and also appeared on Doctor Who.
In Waterloo Road, Jenna arrived when the school merged with John Foster Private School.
Her character Lindsay had a dark secret – that her dad was killed by her mum.
But in an unexpected twist, Lindsay confessed that she actually murdered her abusive father to protect her mother and sister.
Lindsay was jailed for murder, and then ran away after she was released.
LUCIEN LAVISCOUNT
Now based in the US, Lucien has appeared in shows including Katy Keene, Snatch and Scream Queens.
He also appeared on the UK version of Celebrity Big Brother back in 2011.
His Waterloo Road character, student Jonah Kirkby, dated Jess Fisher, but they broke up when he realised she’d slept with teacher Chris Mead.
Jonah then started an affair with Spanish teacher Francesca Montoya.
The couple tried to run away to Gretna Green when she got pregnant, but Francesca was arrested as they left the registry office.
PHILIP MARTIN BROWN
The character actor went on to appear in big budget films Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Darkest Hour.
He also played Steve McDonald’s therapist in Coronation Street for two episodes in 2015.
Philip played the wonderfully named Grantly Budgen, Waterloo Road’s grumpy Head of English and a viewer favourite.
Grantly was renowned for turning up to cover for a week and then staying for 29 years.
The sarcastic teacher, who frequently fell asleep in class, would often wittily insult the students.
The longest-serving character, Grantly appeared from episode one until series nine.
After developing kidney failure Grantly found out he had an organ donor, but died in his chair during an assembly.
JASON MERRELLS
Jason has played parts in Casualty and The Bill. From 2010 until 2014 he played ruthless business man Declan Macey in Emmerdale. He’s also a writer and director, and often appears on stage.
Jason appeared as Waterloo Road’s original, tough-love headteacher, Jack Rimmer, who resigned as headteacher halfway through series 3.
JILL HALFPENNY
Jill won the first series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, while playing undercover detective Kate on EastEnders.
Since leaving Waterloo Road Jill has appeared in ITV’s epic drama Liar and last year starred in Channel 5’s mystery drama The Drowning.
Jill played enthusiastic drama teacher Izzie in the first two series. Her two daughters Chlo and Mika also attended the school.
Izzie was involved in a love triangle with fellow teachers Lorna Dickey and Tom Clarkson. She was fatally stabbed by Joe Seddon while trying to protect headmaster Jack.
ANGELA GRIFFIN
Angela has starred in a number of TV dramas including Netflix’s White Lines, ITV’s Lewis and Midsomer Murders. She’s also starred on the stage in One Man, Two Guvnors alongside James Corden.
She also hosted her own daytime chat show, Angela and Friends, from 2009 to 2010. Angela also revived her Corrie role of Fiona Middleton for one episode in 2019.
As kind-hearted Kim Campbell, she bore the brunt of the kids’ troubles as original Head of Pastoral Care at Waterloo Road. Angela appeared from 2006 to 2007 and from 2009 to 2010.
