Waterloo Road (TV series)
Waterloo Road is a British television drama series set in a comprehensive school of the same name, broadcast on BBC One and later on BBC Three. The show was set in the English town of Rochdale from series one until the end of series seven, and the Scottish town of Greenock from the beginning of series eight until the end of the show in series ten. The first episode was broadcast on BBC One on 9 March 2006 and the final episode on BBC Three on 9 March 2015. Waterloo Road ran for 200 episodes and exactly nine years. In September 2019, the series was made available on BBC iPlayer.
Overview
The first series contained eight episodes and was first broadcast from the 9th of March to the 27th of April 2006. Subsequently, the show was renewed for a second series that was 12 episodes long. This series began on the 18th of January 2007 and finished on the 26th of April of the same year. Series 3 was commissioned, consisting of twenty episodes, and premiered on the 11th of October 2007 an ending on 13 March 2008. Starting on the 7th of January 2009, the 4th series consisted of 20 episodes and ended on the 20th of May. Filming of the 5th series began on 11 May 2009 and began airing on Wednesday 28 October. The final episode aired on 15 July 2010. For the first time, the series was recorded in HD.Production was meant to move locations in 2009, with storylines in the fourth and fifth series designed to coincide with that move. However, these plans didn't go ahead, so the show remained in Rochdale until Series 8. The filming of the fifth and sixth series was back-to-back, from 2009 to 2010. The sixth series ran from 1 September 2010 to the 6th of April the next year.
The final series set in Rochdale, Series 7, began airing on the 4th of May 2011 and ended on the 25th of April 2012. The series lasted for 30 episodes. Shed Productions, the production company, opted to relocate the show to Greenock in Scotland as it was cheaper than staying at the original location. The Rochdale site was demolished shortly after filming ended in 2011 and is now a housing estate. As part of a BBC initiative to produce more shows out of England, the show was commissioned for a further fifty episodes. For most of the eighth series, the school was an independent school, as opposed to a comprehensive school as it was for the first seven series. The eighth series, again 30 episodes long started on the 23rd of August 2012 and concluded on the 4th of July 2013. Starting on the 5th of September the same year, the ninth series ran until 12 March 2014.
It was announced on the 2nd of April 2014 that the 10th series would be the show's last - the final scenes were recorded on the 22nd of August 2014. On the 11th of December, it was announced that the last ten episodes of the show would air on BBC Three instead of BBC One. However, a repeat on BBC One is shown later in the evening.
The final episode was the show's 200th, and aired on the 9th of March 2015, exactly nine years after the first episode. In the story, the school remains open after a lengthy battle against a school merger.
Cast
The show utilises an ensemble cast, led by the school's staff members. Six Head Teachers were featured over the series' run, beginning with Jason Merrells as Jack Rimmer. After leaving early in the third series, Merrells was followed by Eva Pope as Rachel Mason until series 5, Amanda Burton as Karen Fisher in series 6 and the first part of series 7, Alec Newman as Michael Byrne in series 7 and 8, Laurie Brett as Christine Mulgrew in series 9, and Neil Pearson as Vaughan Fitzgerald in series 10. Brett also stars in series 8 and 10, outside of Christine's tenure as Head Teacher. The longest-running cast members were Philip Martin Brown, Jason Done and Chelsee Healey, who appeared from series 1 until their exits in series 9 for Brown and 8 for Done and Healey, respectively. Healey was not in Series 5, however.The original teaching characters consisted of headteacher Jack Rimmer ; deputy head Andrew Treneman ; Art teacher and Head of Pastoral Care Kim Campbell ; Head of English Grantly Budgen ; English teachers Lorna Dickey and Tom Clarkson ; Head of French Steph Haydock ; and Head of Drama Izzie Redpath. The student characters included Donte Charles, Chlo Grainger, Janeece Bryant, Yasmin Deardon, Mika Grainger and Lewis Seddon.
Series 2 featured a number of new main characters: pupil Brett Aspinall, his father and sponsor governor Roger Aspinall and school secretary Davina Shackleton.
Series 3 introduced several new characters, including new deputy head Eddie Lawson and, in the seventh episode, new headteacher Rachel Mason. Other staff arrivals include NQT English teacher Jasmine Koreshi and Head of Music and Drama Matt Wilding. Pupils introduced in the third series include Aleesha Dillon, Danielle Harker, Karla Bentham, Paul Langley, Bolton Smilie and Michaela White.
The fourth series introduces several new characters who become focal points of the subsequent episodes. For example, the Kelly family seems to be the epitome of the "Family from Hell" and consists of an alcoholic mother Rose Kelly and her five children: eldest son Marley, borderline psychopath Earl, daughter Sambuca, 11-year-old Denzil, and baby Prince. New Head of PE Rob Cleaver begins a relationship with English teacher Jasmine and becomes the boxing mentor of pupil Bolton. He is later sacked by Rachel and Eddie when it transpires he is giving Bolton pills to help him win an important match, ultimately ending his and Jasmine's relationship. Rachel's sister Melissa Ryan and nephew Phillip are also introduced. Characters from the previous series who have left the school include: Mika, Brett and Celine.
Series 4 marked the exit of long-term characters Davina, Donte, Chlo and Janeece. Marley, Eddie, Matt, Flick, Jasmine and Andrew also made their final appearances in episode 20.
Long serving characters Steph Haydock, Kim Campbell, Rachel Mason, Paul Langley, Karla Bentham, Danielle Harker, Aleesha Dillon, Bolton Smilie and Michaela White, as well as Phillip Ryan, Siobhan Mailey and Jo Lipsett left at the end of Series 5.
For series 6, former Silent Witness and Brookside actress Amanda Burton joined the cast as new headteacher, Karen Fisher. Linzey Cocker played alongside Burton as on-screen daughter, Jess Fisher and Ceallach Spellman played her on-screen son, Harry Fisher, Coronation Street actor Lucien Laviscount was cast as rebellious teenager Jonah Kirby and Chelsee Healey also reprised her role as Janeece Bryant, not as a pupil, but as the new school secretary. On 21 December 2009, it was announced that former Coronation Street actress Tina O'Brien had been cast as Bex Fisher, and that Britain's Got Talent winner George Sampson would be joining the cast as a new Year 11 student, Kyle Stack – his scenes aired from episode 11. Also from episode 11, Scott Haining played Nate Gurney, a love interest for the newly homosexual Josh Stevenson, Spandau Ballet member and former EastEnders actor Martin Kemp guest starred as Mr Burley, new character Ronan Burley's father, and Karen David portrayed new Head of Spanish, Francesca "Cesca" Montoya. Wil Johnson portrayed new Geography teacher, Marcus Kirby, Jonah's father, and the family was further expanded by the addition of Anna Jobarteh, who played his daughter and new pupil, Ruth. Elaine Symons also reprised her role as Rose Kelly in Episode 6. Series 6 saw the last appearances of Cesca Montoya, Ruby Fry, Jonah Kirby, Ruth Kirby, Marcus Kirby, Adanna Lawal and Nate Gurney. It ended on 6 April 2011.
The seventh series added several new cast members, including new Headteacher Michael Byrne, school site manager Rob Scotcher, maths teacher Daniel Chalk, new Head of English Linda Radleigh, school benefactor Lorraine Donnagan and pupil Jodie "Scout" Allen. Guest stars in the seventh series included: Gemma Atkinson, Dominique Jackson, Alicya Eyo, Margi Clarke, Jodie Prenger, Lisa Riley, Tupele Dorgu, Tracy Ann Oberman, Kai Owen and Jane Asher.
Series 8 shows the start of Greenock's Waterloo Road. Laurie Brett and Georgie Glen join the main cast as English teacher Christine Mulgrew and History teacher Audrey McFall respectively.
The tenth and final series began in October 2014, with Neil Pearson's Vaughan Fitzgerald taking over as the new headmaster of Waterloo Road. An extensive set of new characters joined him, including his new partner, Art teacher Allie Westbrook, his two children and her two children. Pooky Quesnel joined the cast recurringly in the first half of the season as Vaughan's ex-wife.
Laura Aikman joined the cast as new deputy headteacher Lorna Hutchinson, as well as Broadchurch star Charlotte Beaumont appearing as new student Kenzie Calhoun. Quesnel became part of the main cast in the second half of the series.
The series 10 characters consisted of Head Teacher Vaughan Fitzgerald, Deputy Head Lorna Hutchinson, Head of English Christine Mulgrew, Head of Modern Languages George Windsor, Home Economics Teacher and Housemistress Maggie Budgen ; History Teacher Audrey McFall, GPD Teacher Guy Braxton, Science Teacher Marco D'Olivera, Geography Teacher Olga Fitzgerald and School Secretary Sonya Donnegan. An extensive set of pupils were prominent in the final series, including Rhiannon Salt, Lenny Brown, Lisa Brown, Darren Hughes, Shaznay Montrose, Justin Fitzgerald, Leo Fitzgerald, Kenzie Calhoun, Scott Fairchild, Carrie Norton, Bonnie Kincaid, Dale Jackson and Abdul Bukhari.
Plot synopsis
Series 1 (2006)
The school deals with the threat of closure by the governors owing to falling enrolment and poor pupil behaviour. Pupil Adam Deardon is killed in a car crash, a pupil struggles to care for his mother who has Huntington's Disease, and Tom and Lorna Clarkson's marriage ends due to Tom's love for another member of staff. The local education authority decides to keep the school open, while Lorna, distraught at the end of her marriage, throws herself into a canal.Series 2 (2007)
Lorna is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Sponsor governor Roger Aspinall brings controversial changes, and enrols his son Brett who has an affair with the school secretary. Alcoholism and drug use trouble the school. Mika Grainger is subjected to extreme bullying. Maxine Barlow conquers her drug addition but her father is revealed to be behind a series of sex attacks on teenaged girls. Tom and Izzie expect their first child together but Izzie has a miscarriage; Lorna reunites the couple before committing suicide due to her degenerative illness. Izzie is fatally stabbed during a fight between Jack and a drug dealer.Series 3 (2007–2008)
Jack uses educational funds to entice parents to send their children to the school; forced to resign, he is replaced as Head by Rachel Mason, who is blackmailed over her former life as a prostitute. Chlo Grainger and Donte Charles are married and subsequently separate. Mika and Brett break up, and protest for the environment. A pupil with Asperger syndrome is introduced, teachers are accused of assault and inappropriate sexual behaviour, and another pupil is deported. A plagiarism scandal attracts notice from the local exam board. Careless smoking causes a serious fire at the school.Series 4 (2009)
New teacher Rob Cleaver begins a relationship with English teacher Jasmine, which ends when he is fired for giving an aspiring boxer performance-enhancing drugs. 'Family from hell' the Kellys include psychopath Earl whose girlfriend Maxine Barlow is fatally shot, leading to Earl's arrest. Former teacher Kim Campbell returns from Rwanda, smuggling a baby girl. Chlo Grainger resumes a relationship with Donte and they have a baby girl. Davina Shackleton qualifies as a teacher but leaves when Tom begins a relationship with Rose. Ralph Mellor goes mad and knocks the front of the school down with an excavator.Series 5 (2009–2010)
Waterloo Road is merged with local private school John Fosters, and the lack of unity causes rivalries and clashes. Particularly affected is newly qualified teacher Helen Hopewell, who quits after bribing students for their good behaviour during an inspection. She reveals to Rachel that she had an affair with executive head teacher Max Tyler. Max's desperate attempts to control the school lead to an assault on a pupil and Max's arrest. Unruly pupil Finn Sharkey encourages others share his affinity for drugs and vandalism. Jo Lipsett is suspended for acting inappropriately toward a pupil's declaration of love.Series 6 (2010–2011)
Pregnant pupil Janeece proposes that John and Ruby adopt her child, but renegs. Josh Stevenson struggles with his homosexuality. Grantly struggles with his wife's Alzheimer's disease and puts her in a nursing home; a mix-up causes him to teach from the wrong syllabus. Chris Mead begins a relationship with Jess Fisher, and is appalled that he's dating his boss's daughter. Cesca is arrested for an illicit relationship with Jonah, though they marry while she is on bail. Karen introduces separate-sex classrooms, and Adanna tries to reunite the school with a production of Cinderfella which doesn't go according to plan.Waterloo Road Reunited
On 19 November 2010, the BBC announced it had commissioned an online spin-off to the main show, Waterloo Road Reunited. The 6-part series, released in tandem with the latter half of series 6, follows the lives of former pupils and features a mixture of online episodes and social media extras.The online series joins Michaela, Bolton, Danielle, Janeece, Phillip, Aleesha and Paul after completing their secondary education, following their decisions and actions, and how events of the main program affect their lives, eventually leading to a school reunion. It is the final appearance of these characters, with the exception of Janeece Bryant who became Waterloo Roads secretary from series six until series eight, and Bolton Smilie who made a guest reappearance in series eight.
Series 7 (2011–2012)
A student released from a detention centre enters the school, resulting in an inspection and threats of closure. Head Teacher Karen Fisher is replaced by Michael Byrne, who has post-traumatic stress from being attacked by a pupil. Sambuca Kelly dies of cancer. Michael begins an affair with teacher Sian. Linda tries to kill Michael in a hit-and-run. Pupils join rival criminal gangs. Janeece is betrayed of her life savings by her lover. The LEA decides to close the school and Michael is contacted by Lorraine Donnagan – a businesswoman and former student – who sponsors the school's relocation to Scotland.Series 8 (2012–2013)
Grantly and Maggie run the schoolhouse together and later marry. Bullying escalates dangerously before two girls make peace. Christine struggles with an alcohol problem, seeking help after her arsonist son injures his girlfriend. The Barry family bring bullying and violence to the school. Lorraine's business fails, and Michael convinces Glasgow Education to take the school under the local authority before leaving. Christine is made acting headmistress while Simon Lowsley is appointed deputy head. Grantly suffers kidney failure; Maggie pressures Tom to donate a kidney, but he fatally falls from the school roof while trying to help a former student.Series 9 (2013–2014)
To counter her new deputy – Simon, who is engaged to Sue, daughter of the LEA's head – Christine appoints George as co-deputy. George proposes Mandarin classes without knowing the language. Sue can't control her pupils; she and Simon elope. Larry is arrested and his younger siblings become wards of the school. Kacey trains as a boxer. A dangerous man impersonates a supply teacher. Privileged troublemaker Gabriella tries to seduce a teacher, sabotages Nikki's relationship and injures Kacey. Kevin suffers a stroke. Dynasty Barry becomes a police officer and exposes her brother's latest scheme. Christine crashes her car drink driving and resigns.Series 10 (2014–2015)
Vaughan Fitzgerald takes over as headmaster. A student protest of the mock exams leads to a panic attack. Hector and Sue have an affair, and Hector threatens blackmail when Sue breaks it off. Sonya shares her novel with the staff, but runs into trouble for drawing from Christine's alcoholic past. Police investigate computer hacking and cyber-bullying at the school. Step-siblings Justin and Tiffany begin a relationship which their parents suppress. Staff and students fight to stop a merger between Waterloo Road and rival school Havelock High. George Windsor blackmails his councillor girlfriend into stopping the merger.Transmissions and ratings
The final episode of series 3 attracted 6 million viewers.The final episode of series 4 attracted 4.5 million viewers.
The last episode of series 5 aired on 15 July 2010 with an audience of 4.5 million viewers.
Series six started airing on BBC One from 1 September, with the second episode following the next day with a strong audience of 5.1m. The series took a mid-term break from 27 October 2010 and resumed with episodes 11–20 beginning on 2 February 2011
The second half of series ten was moved to BBC Three.
The final episode aired on 9 March 2015, nine years after the first episode aired on 9 March 2006.
Awards
| Year | Category | Nominee | Result |
| 2006 | Best New Drama | Waterloo Road | |
| 2007 | Best Loved Drama | Waterloo Road | |
| 2007 | Best Actress | Jill Halfpenny | |
| 2008 | Best Loved Drama | Waterloo Road | |
| 2008 | Best Actress | Denise Welch | |
| 2009 | Best Actor | Neil Morrissey | |
| 2009 | Best Family Drama | Waterloo Road | |
| 2009 | Best Actress | Denise Welch | |
| 2010 | Best Family Drama | Waterloo Road | |
| 2010 | Best Actress | Denise Welch | |
| 2011 | Best Family Drama | Waterloo Road | |
| 2011 | Best Actress | Amanda Burton | |
| 2011 | Most Popular Drama | Waterloo Road | |
| 2011 | Continuing Drama | Waterloo Road | |
| 2012 | Most Popular Female Drama Performance | Jaye Jacobs | |
| 2012 | Most Popular Drama Series | Waterloo Road | |
| 2013 | Most Popular Drama Series | Waterloo Road | |
| 2014 | Most Popular Drama Series | Waterloo Road | |
| 2014 | Best Actress | Heather Peace | |
| 2015 | Best Actress | Laura Aikman | |
| 2015 | Best Continuing Drama | Waterloo Road |
International broadcasts
DVD releases
Series one and two were released by 2entertain, whilst series three to eight were released by Acorn DVD. Series nine and ten still have not been released on home media.| Title | Episodes | DVD release Date | Total Discs | Special features |
| Series 1 | 8 | 26 March 2007 | 3 | N/A |
| Series 2 | 12 | 10 March 2008 | 4 | Miss Haydock Reveals All Mika's Video Diary |
| Series 3 | 20 | 2 March 2009 11 May 2009 24 May 2010 | 6 | Autumn Term scrap Book Pupil Reports Teacher Evaluation Spring Term scrap Book |
| Series 4 | 20 | 21 September 2009 26 April 2010 18 October 2010 | 6 | Autumn Term scrapbook Spring Term scrapbook School Photos |
| Series 5 | 20 | 14 June 2010 27 September 2010 23 May 2011 | 6 | Deleted Scenes Bloopers Cast/Crew Interviews Waterloo Road Cribs |
| Series 6 | 20 | 7 February 2011 20 June 2011 16 January 2012 | 6 | Staff/Student Photos Outtakes Social Networking Snaps Bloopers |
| Waterloo Road Reunited | 6 | 9 April 2012 | 1 | Picture Gallery |
| Series 7 | 30 | 7 October 2011 26 March 2012 10 September 2012 8 April 2013 | 9 | Social Networking Snaps |
| Series 8 | 30 | 4 February 2013 3 June 2013 7 October 2013 15 September 2014 | 9 | Behind the Scenes In the Gym with Kaya & Kirstie In the Lab with Jaye and Jason Home from Home with Grantly Budgen |
| The Legends Of Waterloo Road | 6 | 16 September 2013 | 2 | 6 select episodes from series 3 – 8 |