The corridors of ‘Waterloo Road‘ will be buzzing for a while longer, as the BBC has officially ordered two more seasons of the popular school-based drama. Produced by Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North, filming for the next chapters will kick off in Greater Manchester later this year.
Since its return in 2023, the reboot has tackled storylines reflecting the real issues young people and school communities face, from the cost-of-living crisis to coercive control, neurodivergence, workplace politics, family drama, grief and young love. The revival followed a resurgence in popularity for the original 10-series run during lockdown, and it remains one of BBC iPlayer’s top-performing titles with under-35s.
The recommission is not just good news for fans, but also for the North’s creative industry. The show has been investing in nurturing new talent through initiatives such as its production development scheme, which has already provided over 40 trainees with paid entry-level roles since 2022, and the Discovery (WBD) Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme, aimed at supporting and growing the pool of women directors in the region.
Over the years, ‘Waterloo Road’ has been a launchpad for many now-familiar faces including Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who), Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris), Regé-Jean Page (Bridgerton), Katie McGlynn (Coronation Street), Chelsee Healey (Hollyoaks), and Phoebe Dynevor (Bridgerton). The tradition continues, with Phoebe’s sister Hattie Dynevor joining in 2024. Several original cast members have also returned since the reboot, including Adam Thomas (Emmerdale), Angela Griffin (Coronation Street), Katie Griffiths (Casualty), Chelsee Healey, Lauren Drummond (Holby City), and Jason Merrells (Emmerdale), who will now feature as a full-time cast member.
The upcoming series will also see the arrival of comedian Jon Richardson (Meet the Richardsons) as the school’s new media studies teacher, following in the footsteps of Jason Manford (Death in Paradise), who previously appeared as head teacher Steve Savage.
Cameron Roach, Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction and Executive Producer, said:
“When the BBC commissioned the reboot of Waterloo Road we had hoped it might run for a few seasons, but to be commissioned for further series, bringing the total episodes since relaunch to seventy hours, is a huge achievement and a reflection of the incredible creative teams in front of and behind the camera. As well as continuing to celebrate emerging talent, the show is fast gaining a reputation for working with the best comedy talent, as Jon Richardson joins the cast this season. As a team we’re incredibly proud that a very British show can be such an enduring success for the BBC and continue to bring in new generations of viewers.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added:
“I’m delighted that Waterloo Road will be opening its corridors once again, with two more series of the hit drama about to start filming. The show continues to entertain the audience who love to follow both the staff and pupils and, with a new series heading to BBC iPlayer and BBC One next month, they don’t have long to wait!”
‘Waterloo Road’ is set and made in Greater Manchester and produced by Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North. Lindsay Williams is the Series Producer. Waterloo Road is executive produced by Cameron Roach for Rope Ladder Fiction, Leanne Klein for Wall to Wall, and commissioned by Gaynor Holmes and Jo McClellan for the BBC
‘Waterloo Road‘ Season 16 premieres in September 2025 on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. If you want to keep track of this or any other shows, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date. Visit Never Miss.
Login to Geektown