Waterloo Road's Katie Griffiths has revealed the show is "different" as she prepares for the nation to see Chlo Charles, 14 years after she left the show.
Katie is joined by her former co-stars Adam Thomas and Angela Griffin as the three reprise their roles on the BBC show just one year after the network announced it was being revived.
In September 2021, it was revealed that the school drama would return to screens for an 11th series, with Rope Ladder Function being tasked with producing the show.
Despite the show moving to Scotland in series eight, it's now firmly at home in Greater Manchester and will air next month.
Speaking about being back, Katie said: "It was a bit mad, kind of coming back to the show, in general, is like coming back to what it was but everything is completely different, obviously Adam is the same, he just looks a bit different, he's got better with age.
"It was really exciting."
Meanwhile, Adam added: "We picked up where we left off, it was crazy, we've not seen each other for so long.
"It was quite a weird experience but it was amazing, I got all teary-eyed, this show and these people mean so much to me, especially seeing Angela and Katie again, it meant the world to us, not only being back on the show but being back in the same room and working together again, it's not often that, that happens.
"It was nice but it was like nothing had changed."
Reflecting on the cultural impact of Waterloo Road, Adam said: "I feel like not many shows on television are as relatable as Waterloo Road is.
"Not only the characters in the show but also the topics they discuss – the topics and storylines throughout each and every single episode of Waterloo Road, someone will be able to relate.
"It's important to have shows like that for the kids to discuss the ones we talk about on Waterloo Road."
He added that it was "needed" to have a show like Waterloo Road filmed in Manchester, showcasing northern talent, with Katie adding: "It's back to where it started.
"I think as a show, even all those years ago, it was never scared of addressing the real horrible issues that young people and old people go through every single day.
"There will be a lot of that throughout this series so I think that's part of the testament as to why fans wanted it to come back.
"While over lockdown, I had no idea how popular it was on iPlayer, it's found this new surge of energy and it feels like there's another young fanbase out there that wants to know about these characters, the old characters and new characters, it's all exciting that it's come to a head and it's finally happening."
As a new school year begins in Stockport, Manchester, the pupils and staff at Waterloo Road will be adjusting to the ever-changing society including teenage homelessness, the cost of living crisis and the breakdown in families.
Waterloo Road airs at 8pm on Tuesday, January 3, on BBC One with the full series available on BBC iPlayer.
