Latest news with #StellaDrake
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Huge BBC drama to return for TWO more series after replacing Holby City
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HUGE BBC drama is returning for two more series after it replaced Holby City, the corporation has announced. School drama Waterloo Road returned to screens two years ago after the BBC cancelled medical drama Holby City in order to move TV investment away from London. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Waterloo Road is returning for at least another two series Credit: BBC 2 Lindsey Coulson plays Dame Stella Drake in the drama Credit: BBC Now the series has been recommissioned for at least two more runs. The BBC says the Manchester-set programme's return, which began in 2006 and ran until 2015 before it was brought back to screens in 2023, will allow it to continue with its investment in creative talent in the north of England. Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said: "I'm delighted that Waterloo Road will be opening its corridors once again, with two more series of the hit drama about to start filming. "The show continues to entertain the audience who love to follow both the staff and pupils and, with a new series heading to BBC iPlayer and BBC One next month, they don't have long to wait." The next series will see Jon Richardson make his debut as the school's new media studies teacher next month, and the show has already seen Lindsey Coulson replace comedian Jason Manford, who played Steven Savage, as new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake. During its time on TV, Waterloo Road has explored storylines such as the cost-of-living crisis, coercive control, neurodivergence, work-place politics, family drama, grief, and young love. The show has provided a launch pad for the careers of stars such as Lucien Laviscount, Rege-Jean Page and Chelsee Healey, as well as Phoebe Dynevor, whose sister Hattie Dynevor joined the series in 2024, and Adam Thomas, who returned when the series was rebooted in 2023 and remains on the show. Cameron Roach, Waterloo Road executive producer, said: 'When the BBC commissioned the reboot of Waterloo Road, we had hoped it might run for a few seasons. "But to be commissioned for further series, bringing the total episodes since relaunch to 70 hours, is a huge achievement and a reflection of the incredible creative teams in front of and behind the camera. "As well as continuing to celebrate emerging talent, the show is fast gaining a reputation for working with the best comedy talent, as Jon Richardson joins the cast this season. Kym Marsh quits HUGE TV job after overhauling her personal life "As a team we're incredibly proud that a very British show can be such an enduring success for the BBC and continue to bring in new generations of viewers." Filming for the two new series will begin in Greater Manchester later this year, with the first of the pair to launch next year.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
All to know on Waterloo Road series 15 with Lindsey Coulson among new cast
Waterloo Road is returning for its 15th series on the BBC, with Lindsey Coulson being among several new additions to the cast. The former EastEnders actress will be playing new headteacher Dame Stella Drake after the downfall of Steve Savage (Jason Manford). He left the school after it was revealed he had covered up his son's murder of pupil Boz Osbourne. The school's reputation has taken a big hit as a result, and Dame Stella has been enlisted to fix that, the Radio Times reports. Speaking about joining the show, Coulson said: "I'm delighted to be joining Waterloo Road as the new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake. "It's a role I haven't played before, so I'm really enjoying peeling back the layers of who Stella is and seeing how the teachers and students react to her no-nonsense approach. "Waterloo Road tackles social issues head-on, which is so important to see on television, and this series will be no different." In terms of further casting, the Radio Times adds: "Joining Coulson is a faculty member that will be very familiar to fans of the series. Jason Merrells's Jack Rimmer is set to guest star, almost two decades after his last appearance in season 3. "There will be another familiar face joining the cast, too. Zeriozha Annika is back as Celine Stone, whose teenage pregnancy storyline provided quite the finale back in season 3 – before being promptly forgotten. Look who's back! 👀 Watch brand new #WaterlooRoad now on #iPlayer. — Waterloo Road (@WaterlooRoad) February 11, 2025 "Her presence, and that of her son Ashton's, will certainly raise some questions for old flame and school caretaker Donte Charles (Adam Thomas)." New additions to the cast of Waterloo Road for series 15 are: Lindsey Coulson as Dame Stella Drake Jason Merrells as Jack Rimmer Zeriozha Annika as Celine Stone Lucy Chambers as Cat Gutherie Niamh Blackshaw as Agnes Eccleston Lauren Patel as Jas Sharma Meanwhile, returning cast members are: Cory McClane as Ashton Stone James Baxter as Joe Case Hollie-Jay Bowers as Debs Rafferty Ryan Clayton as Mike Rutherford Jo Coffey as Wendy Whitwell Neil Fitzmaurice as Neil Guthrie Rachel Leskovac as Coral Walker Kym Marsh as Nicky Walters Katherine Pearce as Amy Spratt Shauna Shim as Valerie Chambers Adam Thomas as Donte Charles Tom Wells as Marc Todd Saira Choudhry as Nisha Chaudra Alicia Forde as Kelly-Jo Rafferty Francesco Piacentini-Smith as Dean Weaver Liam Scholes as Noel McManus Summer Violet Bird as Tonya Walters Thapelo Ray as Dwayne Jackson Chiamaka 'ChiChi' Ulebor as Shola Aku Hattie Dynevor as Libby Guthrie Zak Sutcliffe as Schumacher 'Schuey' Weever Maisie Robinson as Portia Weever Tillie Amartey as Stacey 'Stace' Neville Aabay Noor Ali as Mollie 'Mog' Richardson Zanele Nyoni as Jess Clarke Sonya Nisa as Aleena Qureshi Miya Ocego as Lisa Taylor-Brown Danny Murphy as Luca Smith Matthew Khan as Jared Jones Recommended reading: Everything to know on new BBC crime-drama Virdee starring Staz Nair Everything to know on Unforgotten series 6 starring Sanjeev Bhaskar All you need to know on series 2 of ITV comedy G'Wed including full cast list The first episode of the 15th series of Waterloo Road will air at 9pm on Tuesday, February 11 on BBC One. After that, the remaining episodes will air in the same timeslot over the following weeks. Alternatively, if you don't want to wait all eight episodes are available to watch on the BBC iPlayer right now.
