December 12th 2024.
Get ready to welcome back an iconic character to Waterloo Road! Jack Rimmer, the original headteacher, is making a grand return to the BBC drama. Remember him? No-nonsense and full of authority, he was played by the talented Jason Merrells, known for his roles in Emmerdale and Casualty. Jack was a central character in the first three series of the show, from 2006 to 2008.
During his time as headteacher of the struggling Greater Manchester comprehensive, Jack had his fair share of drama. He had a fling with French teacher, Steph Haydock, and a bitter feud with troublesome student, Lewis Seddon. In a heartbreaking turn of events, iconic character Izzie Redpath tragically passed away in Jack's arms.
But things took a turn for the worse when Jack got involved with some dodgy investors for the school. He was forced to resign by the board of education and left for a new life in Dubai. Eddie Lawson took over temporarily before Rachel Mason became the permanent headteacher.
But now, in the upcoming scenes set to premiere in February, Jack is back in the area and has taken on a new profession as a counsellor. He's left education behind and is ready to offer support to those in need.
In a new clip, we see the current principal, Dame Stella Drake, struggling with the demands of running the academy. Seeking external support, she is met by none other than Jack Rimmer. It's a reunion that has fans buzzing with excitement.
Upon his return, Jason Merrells expressed his excitement, saying, "I left the OG series of Waterloo Road in 2008 with very fond memories of building a character in such a great ensemble and with such an important story. When I saw the renewed interest from another generation - who weren’t born when we made the original - I was heartened and surprised."
He continued, "Jack Rimmer was probably my favourite long running character I’ve played on television, and going back for this new incarnation to tell this story of who Jack has become over the intervening years has been an absolute pleasure."
Executive producer Cameron Roach added, "The very possibility of Jason reviving the character of Jack Rimmer has always excited our writing team, and to see it happen has been explosive. We know how much the OG fans will love the reappearance of Jack, but for the new era, it brings incredible story twists that fans new and old will enjoy."
Jason is just the latest in a line of big returns, following Jamie Glover and Angela Griffin. He was replaced by Eddie Lawson in series three.
But Jack's return is not the only exciting news for Waterloo Road fans. Lindsey Coulson has been announced as the new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake. Lindsey, best known for her role in EastEnders, is taking over from Jason Manford's character, Steve Savage, who was arrested at the end of the last series.
On her casting, Lindsey said, "I’m delighted to be joining Waterloo Road as the new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake. It’s a role I haven’t played before, so I’m really enjoying peeling back the layers of who Stella is and seeing how the teachers and students react to her no-nonsense approach."
The show is known for tackling social issues head-on, and this series will be no different. Since its reboot last year, many beloved actors have reprised their roles, including Adam Thomas as Donte Charles and Chelsee Healey as Janeece Bryant. And it has been reported that Denise Welch, from Loose Women, will also be making a comeback as Steph Haydock next year.
If you're a fan of Waterloo Road, you can catch up on all the episodes on BBC iPlayer. And if you have any soap or TV stories, videos, or pictures, don't hesitate to get in touch with us - we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage.
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