Monday 24 January 2022

WATERLOO ROAD RETURNS TO OUR SCREENS



Waterloo Road is returning to our screens seven years after it was taken off air by the BBC.

This time round however filming will not take place in Greenock, Scotland but move back to Manchester, England, where it first began.

Much loved characters Adam Thomas, Angela Griffin and Katie Griffiths will however return to the reboot, which this time round will focus on school life after Covid.

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Ex Emmerdale star Adam will return as ex pupil Donte Charles, while Katie will play his wife Chlo Grainger. 

Angela will return as headteacher Kim Campbell, once the the head of pastoral.

Waterloo Road last aired in 2015, and moved to Scotland to film three years later, leaving filming in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

Adam and his co-stars took to social media to let fans know about the new series and he told them: "The news is finally out!!! Donte and Chloe are back!! @waterlooroad coming soon… @bbc @bbciplayer."

Adam posted a throwback snap of the pair as pupils at Waterloo Road.

He commented: "I’m so excited to go back to where it all started! Waterloo Road was a huge part of my life and career so to go back 15 years later is a dream come true.

"I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to get back to acting and doing what I love! I can’t wait to see some old faces and some new. I know this series is going to be the best one yet…"

Katie from Leeds showed of a photo of the three reading their scripts and wrote: "Big news! I'm going back to school! I'm so so excited to be returning to @waterlooroad reunited with @adamthomas21 and @theangelagriffin and loads of new faces yet to be revealed. Coming to @bbciplayer later this year. #waterlooroad.

"I am incredibly excited to be returning to Waterloo Road - loved by all who make and watch it! Chlo was my first professional acting role, and I feel so lucky to be part of the show again. I can't wait to see what stories unfold!"

Angela added: 'Here it is!!! My big news! I'm going back to school! I'm ridiculously excited to be returning to @waterlooroad as Kim Campbell…. But this time, she's the HEAD."

'I'm reunited with the brilliant @adamthomas21 and Katie Griffiths @kaytgriff (Donte and Chlo all grown up) and loads of new faces yet to be revealed. Coming to @bbciplayer later this year!"

Executive producer Cameron Roach said: '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.'

Actors who used to come to Greenock t film for the series included Lip Service's Heather Peace, Bridgerton's Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dyvenor, Loose Women panellist Denise Welch and Hollyoaks actress Chelsee Healey.

The former Greenock Academy was used as location for the BBC TV series and many local children had roles as background actors in it.

One fan said of the return:"Waterloo Road coming back reminds me that half the kids I went to school with were backing characters in it. They'd go to Greenock for a weekend then come back like "I got to die in an explosion woo!"

Another added: "OMG! Its actually coming back, and returning to Greater Manchester rather than Greenock."