September 2nd 2024.
School is back in session and Waterloo Road is returning for its 14th series with a bang. There are many changes in store for the school, but one thing remains the same – the drama that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Last season, we said goodbye to a group of students as they moved on to further education, as well as the iconic Kim Campbell, who stepped down as head of Waterloo Road. And we were left wondering what would happen with Coral Walker and Neil Guthrie's relationship, and were stunned by the sudden accident involving Nicky Walters.
But now, the show is back and the cast is just as excited as the audience to see what the new series has in store. This time around, comedian Jason Manford joins the cast as the new headteacher, promising to be one of the most memorable headteachers ever at Waterloo Road.
Known for tackling important and heavy topics, Waterloo Road has captured the hearts of viewers with its powerful storylines. Actress Kym Marsh, who plays canteen manager Nicky Walters, explains, "It has so much heart and it covers so many important subjects all at once. When I first joined the show, it was all about the aftermath of Covid and the cost-of-living crisis. We saw racism, knife crime, and characters exploring their sexuality. It addresses real-life issues that people are going through, while also incorporating comedy."
But it's not just about entertainment. Actress Tillie Amartey, who plays student Stace Neville, says, "We tackle a lot of topics that can educate people while still being entertaining. We shed light on bullying, women's health, and other issues that may not always be talked about. Our goal is to connect with those who may be going through similar situations."
So, what can we expect in this new series? Well, for starters, a whole new school building. Kim Campbell's decision to turn Waterloo Road into an academy has brought about some major changes, including a new location for the school. Actress Shauna Shim, who plays Valerie Chambers, says, "It looks fresher, cleaner, and newer. The old building was literally falling apart and it was very tired. This one is very different."
But filming in a real-life school comes with its challenges, as actor James Baxter, who plays Joe Casey, explains, "One of the issues is the heat. I've talked about this so much, but it's so warm! The building is mostly made of glass, so it can get pretty hot."
And with a new school comes a new headteacher. Angela Griffin's departure as Kim Campbell has opened up the spot for a new leader, and who better to fill the role than Jason Manford as Steve Savage? "Steve is a bit of a Super Head. He's the headteacher who goes in and gets schools out of special measures," Jason shares. "He's the kind of headteacher you would want for your kids because he's not bothered by red tape or rules. But there's only so much you can push the boundaries before you push it too far."
But Steve's new role also brings a personal storyline as his son, Billy Savage, becomes a student at Waterloo Road. "He brings his son into the school, and that's where it all starts to fall apart," Jason says. "Can you imagine what that must be like? Not only have you gone from a posh school to Waterloo Road, but your dad is the headteacher. It doesn't go well for poor Billy."
And this is just the beginning for Steve, as he also finds himself in a love triangle with Nicky Walters and Donte Charles. It turns out that Steve and Nicky were each other's first loves, and their past comes back to haunt them. "It's great because Nicky has a lovely relationship with Donte, and the fans are really behind them," Jason says. But Kym adds, "Nicky and Steve have a long history, so it's definitely going to cause some tension between her and Donte. It's intriguing!"
Get ready for another season of emotional and thought-provoking storylines as Waterloo Road continues to tackle important issues and keep viewers on their toes.
As summer comes to an end and the leaves start to change, the halls of Waterloo Road are once again filled with students and teachers, ready for a brand new school year. Yes, you heard it right - the beloved school-based drama is back for its 14th series and it's bound to keep us all on our toes!
While some things may have changed, one thing remains the same - the level of drama that viewers can expect. As we said goodbye to the previous batch of students who headed off to further education, we also bid farewell to the iconic Kim Campbell, who left her role as head of Waterloo Road. And let's not forget the unresolved issues between Coral Walker and Neil Guthrie, as well as the shocking incident involving Nicky Walters being hit by a car. There's no doubt that the new series is starting off with a bang and the cast is just as excited for its return.
Joining the talented ensemble is comedian Jason Manford, who will be taking on the role of the new headteacher, Steve Savage. According to Jason, Steve is set to be one of the most memorable headteachers at Waterloo Road. Known for tackling important and heavy topics, the show has won the hearts of viewers with its heartwarming and thought-provoking storylines.
Actress Kym Marsh, who plays canteen manager Nicky Walters, shared her thoughts on the show, saying, "It has so much heart and it covers so many important subjects all at once. When I first joined, it was all about the aftermath of Covid, the cost-of-living crisis. We dealt with issues such as racism, knife crime, and discovering one's sexuality. Waterloo Road doesn't shy away from real-life problems, but it also has its moments of comedy."
As always, the show will continue to address relevant and timely issues, from women's health to family deaths, bullying, and even the controversial decision for Waterloo Road to become an academy. But amidst all the serious topics, there's also a love triangle thrown in for good measure.
"The show covers a lot of topics that can educate people while entertaining them," shared Tillie Amartey, who plays student Stace Neville. "We shed light on issues such as bullying and women's health, things that happen in mainstream schools but aren't always talked about. It's about connecting with the audience and showing them that they're not alone."
So without further ado, let's take a look at what we can expect from the new series of Waterloo Road. Trust us, you'll want to strap yourselves in because it's going to be a good one!
A brand new school building, a controversial decision to become an academy, and a new headteacher - there's definitely a lot of changes happening at Waterloo Road. In the previous series, Kim Campbell announced the decision to turn the school into an academy, which didn't sit well with some of the staff. And now, the effects of this decision are evident as the school has moved to a new building.
"The new school looks fresher, cleaner, and newer," shared Shauna Shim, who plays Valerie Chambers. "The old building was literally falling down, it was very tired and had a Victorian feel to it. The new building is completely different."
But filming in a real school also came with its own set of challenges, as James Baxter, who plays Joe Casey, revealed, "One of the issues is the heat. We've complained about it so much, but it's really warm in there! It's mostly a glass-fronted building, so you can imagine how hot it gets. It may sound like a small problem, but it's a real struggle."
With Kim no longer at the helm, there's a new headteacher in town - Steve Savage, played by none other than Jason Manford. "Steve is a bit of a Super Head. He's the headteacher who goes in and turns schools around," shared Jason. "He's the type of headteacher you'd want for your kids' school. He's not afraid to bend the rules and cut through the red tape. But there's only so much you can get away with."
And Steve's arrival also means a change in the dynamics of the school. "There was a certain amount of grieving for losing Angela [Griffin] because she was definitely the heart of the show," shared Rachel Leskovac, who plays Coral Walker. "But it's also exciting because it brings in new energy and changes things up a bit."
As if taking on a new job wasn't enough, Steve also has to deal with his son, Billy, who is now a student at Waterloo Road. "Steve brings his son, Billy, to the school," revealed Jason. "And that's where things start to unravel. Imagine going to a new school, but your dad is the headteacher - it's not an easy situation for poor Billy."
The cast has teased a dark storyline for Steve and Billy, and viewers will get to see a different side of Jason as he takes on a more serious role. "The show asks an interesting question - 'How far would you go for your children?'," shared Jason. "I always joke with my daughters that I'll always have their back, no matter what. But this series challenges that notion. It's a really interesting storyline to explore."
And that's not the only complicated relationship in Steve's life. It turns out that he also has a history with Nicky Walters, who is now in a happy relationship with Donte Charles. "Nicky and Steve go way back, they were each other's first love," shared Jason. "But things didn't work out, and they haven't seen each other since. It's definitely going to cause some tension between Nicky and Donte."
But amidst all the drama and heavy storylines, the cast also shared some lighthearted moments on set. "Even though Jason is a comedian and kept us all laughing, he also has some really heavy scenes to film," shared Thapelo Ray, who plays student Dwayne Jackson. "It's surprising to see him go from being a comedic actor to a more serious role."
So there you have it, a sneak peek into the upcoming series of Waterloo Road. With a new school building, a new headteacher, and new relationships, it's bound to be an exciting and emotional rollercoaster. Are you ready for it? We sure are!
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