Waterloo Road to return for at least two more series, says BBC.
The BBC has today announced it has odered two additional series of the hit school-based drama Waterloo Road
The BBC has ordered two additional series of the hit school-based drama Waterloo Road (8x60’). Produced by Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North, filming for both series will take place in Greater Manchester later this year.
Renowned for its heartfelt and often humorous exploration of real-life challenges facing young people, families, and school staff, Waterloo Road has tackled topics ranging from the cost-of-living crisis and coercive control to neurodivergence, workplace politics, grief, family tensions, and young love. Originally revived in 2023 after the original 10-series run found a new audience on iPlayer during lockdown, the drama has remained one of the platform’s most-watched titles among under-35s.
The upcoming series will continue to build on the production’s commitment to fostering creative talent in the North of England. This includes its targeted development initiatives — such as the recently launched production development scheme, which has already provided paid entry-level roles for over 40 trainees since 2022, and the Discovery (WBD) Access x Waterloo Road Directors Programme, designed to grow opportunities for women directors in the region.
Over the years, the series has helped launch the careers of numerous British actors, including Jenna Coleman, Lucien Laviscount, Regé-Jean Page, Katie McGlynn, Chelsee Healey, and Phoebe Dynevor. In 2024, Phoebe’s sister Hattie Dynevor joined the cast, while Adam Thomas — a returning original from the reboot — remains a regular. Other familiar faces from the original series, including Angela Griffin, Katie Griffiths, Chelsee Healey, Lauren Drummond and Jason Merrells, have also come back, with Merrells set to appear as a full-time cast member. The latest eight-part run, filmed back-to-back with next year’s series, will debut on BBC iPlayer and BBC One next month.
Next month will also see comedian Jon Richardson make his debut as the school’s new media studies teacher, following in the footsteps of fellow comic Jason Manford, who previously played head teacher Steve Savage.
Cameron Roach, Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction and Executive Producer of Waterloo Road, says: "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, adds: “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!”
Set and filmed in Greater Manchester, Waterloo Road is produced by Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North. Lindsay Williams serves as Series Producer, with executive producers Cameron Roach for Rope Ladder Fiction and Leanne Klein for Wall to Wall. The series was commissioned for the BBC by Gaynor Holmes and Jo McClellan.
Waterloo Road is available to watch on BBC iPlayer — don’t forget to add it to your Watchlist.