The brand new cast for BBC Waterloo Road has been announced - and there are some familiar faces joining the show.
The popular drama series, based on a troubled comprehensive school, is set to return six years after being axed from the BBC.
Filming has now begun for the new series set and made in Greater Manchester, and it has now been revealed that some former Coronation Street and EastEnders stars will be joining the cast.
Manchester actress Kym Marsh, who is best known for playing Michelle Connor on Coronation Street, is one of the new cast members and is set to play Nicky Walters, a mother to two pupils and a school canteen worker.
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Morning Live presenter Kym Marsh says: “I’m thrilled to be joining the fabulous cast of Waterloo Road, it’s such a joy to get the opportunity to film in Manchester again and I can’t wait to get going."
A video of the newly announced cast introducing their characters has also been released on the BBC and Waterloo Road social channels.
Coronation Street's Sonia Ibrahim is also set to join the cast as Jamilah Omar, the school’s social worker, and Rachel Leskovac who played Natasha Blakeman in the ITV soap will join the school as Coral Walker, Head of English.
EastEnders actress Jo Coffey will join the school as Wendy Whitwell, PA to Headteacher, while Vincent Jerome will play Lindon King, joint Deputy Head with James Baxter.
Shauna Shim will play music teacher Valerie Chambers, Neil Fitzmaurice has been cast as Neil Guthrie, the school’s history teacher and Katherine Pearce has been confirmed as Amy Spratt - an early career teacher.
The news of the new cast follows the announcement of Waterloo Road’s returning cast members including Manchester-born former Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas as Donte Charles, Katie Griffiths returning as Chlo Charles and Angela Griffin playing headteacher Kim Campbell.
The young actors who will play the pupils are yet to be announced and the upcoming series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
Executive Producer Cameron Roach says: “We’re incredibly excited to announce our new cast, and we believe that alongside the return of Kim Campbell we’re creating some new iconic characters for the next generation of Waterloo Road.
"We look forward to the audience joining them in the staff room.”
Waterloo Road aired on BBC One before the final episode on BBC Three nine years later after 200 episodes.
The school-based drama first aired back in 2006 and was filmed and set in Rochdale for seven series.
Then in 2012, for series eight, the show moved to Greenock, Scotland, until it ended in 2015.
The BBC says further details about storylines, casting and transmission will be announced soon.
