Waterloo Road first look: See Kym Marsh, Adam Thomas and Angela Griffin in new season pics

Waterloo Road's comeback series has been announced for a return in January 2023, with some first-look pictures giving a hint about what is to come.

The BBC One school-set drama has been off air since 2015, but will return to screens early next year with returning cast members Adam Thomas and Angela Griffin, and welcoming Kym Marsh in a new role.

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Newly-released pictures show the cast in character and also share a key storyline - a school riot that is set to affect the rest of the series.

Programme information about the new series teases: "As a new school year begins, a peaceful protest turns into a school riot and the events of the day will have huge ramifications for everyone involved."

Griffin's character headteacher Kim Campbell is shown trying to regain control of the pupils with a loud hailer, while students wave placards with the slogans "stronger together" and "teach peace".

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Other first-look photos show Thomas as Donte Charles looking worried, while Marsh, dressed as school dinner lady Nicky Walters, looks tense as she makes a phonecall from the school corridors.

Fans also have the chance to see a family picture of the Charles clan, including Katie Griffiths returning as Donte's wife Chlo, and Thomas's own son Teddy playing his screen son Tommy, as well as his real-life niece Scarlett Thomas as his daughter Izzy.

The young actor is the daughter of Adam's brother Ryan Thomas and his ex Tina O'Brien, who met in their days starring in Coronation Street together.

O'Brien has also previously starred in Waterloo Road.

The series about life at a comprehensive originally ran for 10 seasons from 2006 to 2015 and was a huge hit.

Last year it was announced that the drama was being brought back and it was later revealed that former cast members Adam Thomas and Angela Griffin were due to return, with Marsh's casting announced after that.

Marsh is currently competing in Strictly Come Dancing, but she and partner Graziano Di Prima have pulled out of this weekend's show as she has had a positive COVID test.

Watch: Who is Strictly's Kym Marsh?