You may be forgiven you've taken a trip back in time to the mid-00s this week as Waterloo Road makes its return to screens, nearly 17 years on from its successful debut.
Launching in 2005, Waterloo Road was one of the biggest dramas of its kind and a big ratings winner for the BBC as household names like Jason Merrells, Jill Halfpenny and Denise Welch were among the staff at the often troubled comprehensive school at the centre of the action. Ex Byker Grove and EastEnders star Jill saw her character Izzy Redpath meet a grisly end right outside of the school front door, in one of the most heart-breaking scenes of the show's early days.
Originally based in Rochdale, things took a rather bizarre turn for the staff and pupils of Waterloo Road at the start of series eight, when after seven series of being based in North West England, the school suddenly upped sticks to Greenock in Scotland. The Rochdale site was demolished shortly after filming ended in 2011 and is now a housing estate.
READ MORE: Waterloo Road new series cast including returning stars Angela Griffin and Ryan Thomas
The move to Scotland saw Waterloo Road change status to an independent, rather than comprehensive school, as familiar faces including EastEnders star Laurie Brett, known to millions of soap fans as Jane Beale, joined the cast. The show's 200th and then final episode aired in March 2015 but ow it's back, with the Waterloo Road cast this time round including returning stars like Angela Griffin and Ryan Thomas and new faces like Strictly star Kym Marsh.
Where is Waterloo Road set and filmed?
When its return was announced in 2021, it was also confirmed that Waterloo Road would be filmed in Greater Manchester, with filming commencing early last year and the action taking place in the fictional Waterloo Estate.
Confirming the new series and what to expect, before filming kicked off, Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, said: “Waterloo Road is the perfect lens through which to explore post-Covid Britain, from the perspective of those who have arguably been affected most: young people in education.
"We are thrilled to be returning to this brilliant format - its thrills and spills, unmissable characters and high drama - at a time when audiences across Britain need it most - and to be collaborating with the brilliant Cameron Roach and Wall To Wall on its return.”
Fans were over the moon about Waterloo Road's return, with one taking to Twitter to post: "So glad Waterloo Road is returning and it's gonna be set and filmed in Manchester again. Wonder if any original cast will be in it again."
READ NEXT:
*Gemma Atkinson refutes Gorka Marquez 'leaving Strictly' claims in defiant Instagram post
*Strictly's Kai Widdrington gets 'justice' after Christmas win with Alexandra Mardell
*Strictly's Giovanni Pernice gives fans exciting update on new project after live tour blow
*Danny Dyer 'rejects' EastEnders return theories and exposes alternative ending
