BBC finally confirms Waterloo Road return date as show's future is revealed

The BBC has officially confirmed that Waterloo Road will return for series 18 in January 2027. Fans of the long-running school drama have been wondering when the latest batch of episodes will hit our screens, but the release date as now been revealed as early next year.

This announcement comes alongside the news that Waterloo Road has been recommissioned for another new series. With series 19 already confirmed, series 20 is also in the pipeline and filming on these episodes is now underway in Greater Manchester.

It was previously announced that the episodes airing in January will see the return of original cast member Chelsee Healey as Janeece Bryant, with Lauren Hylton joining the show as student Cheryl, Janeece’s daughter.

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Series 18 will also introduce a group of newly qualified teachers to the school, and the show has now released a first look image of new cast members Tashinga Bepete, Cora Kirk and Mollie Winnard as NQTs Edward Connell, Leah Merchant and Gemma Tully.

There are more new faces in the classroom this January as well, and it was announced earlier this year that joining the student cast in the next series are Leo Ashton (Liam Shaw), Callum Broome (Nathan Clark), Yousef Naseer (Ibrahim Azzi), Lewis Pemberton (Cane Morris) and Keelan Wright (Marshall Clark).

Cameron Roach, the show’s executive producer, said in a statement about the news: "When we brought Waterloo Road back, we were hopeful of a long-term future, so to be commissioned for a tenth series of the reboot really is an incredible achievement and testament to the exceptional creative team, cast and crew.

"To have evolved a sustainable base for training and development of crew with our partners at Screen Manchester has been central to our mission and ensures clear pathways for new entrants into the sector.

"Above all, we thank the fans of the show who, series after series, are asking for more. It drives us all to be creatively ambitious for the iconic world of Waterloo Road."

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Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, added: "We’re so pleased to announce a new series of Waterloo Road, giving audiences the opportunity to follow the drama of the characters they’ve come to know and love.

"We look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds for the pupils and staff of Waterloo Road and can’t wait for the series to return this January."

Waterloo Road airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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