Waterloo Road is back and a whole new set of characters have joined the show. The BBC series, which was announced to be returning last year, will reintroduce viewers to the school and over the course of seven episodes, it will explore the ever changing social landscape for young people today.
One of the more notable cast members to join the new series is Scarlett Thomas. The actress, 13, plays Izzy in the new series.
In joining the cast of Waterloo Road, Scarlett follows in her mother Tina O'Brien's footsteps. Best known for appearing as Sarah Platt on Coronation Street, Tina appeared as Bex Fisher in the sixth series of Waterloo Road in 2010. Scarlett's father, Ryan Thomas, is also an actor and starred alongside Tina in Coronation Street as Jason Grimshaw.
Read more: BBC Waterloo Road: Cast, plot, air time and locations for the BBC school drama
As she start work on the new series of Waterloo Road in early 2022, Scarlett posted a photo to Instagram and said she was "so excited to join the cast". One person who commented, referred to the actress' parents and wrote: "Congratulations Scarlett it just shows talent is in your blood. I love watching your mum on Corrie and now I’m going to get to watch you play my all time fave WLR couples daughter."
Ryan and Tina met on the set of Coronation Street back in the 2000s and dated for six years with Tina having Scarlett in 2008. Ryan is said to have ended the relationship a year later after Scarlett's first birthday.
"He said he didn't love me any more," the 'devastated' star told new! magazine, admitting they had struggled with the new dynamic of parenthood.
Scarlett's uncle, Adam Thomas, also appears in the new series of Waterloo Road as Donte Charles - a role that he previously played in the original series. Watch Waterloo Road on BBC One on Tuesday, January 3 at 8pm. For more showbiz and television stories get our newsletter here.
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