Waterloo Road returns: What time is it on TV and who's in the rebooted cast?

A new term is beginning at Waterloo Road after a long break which last saw the show on TV in 2015.

Now, the secondary school drama is returning to BBC One with some returning cast members catching us up on their lives, and other new faces joining.

When does Waterloo Road return to TV?

The rebooted series of Waterloo Road - its 11th season and first since 2015 - returns to TV tonight, at 8pm on BBC One.

It will air seven episodes weekly on Tuesdays, with repeats on BBC Three on Fridays.

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Who is in the new Waterloo Road cast?

Fans will be pleased to see some returning cast members - including Angela Griffin, who is back as Kim Campbell but has now been promoted to headteacher.

Griffin said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed stepping back into school and taking Kim Campbell back on again, but, in all honesty, it feels like a brand-new job. It doesn't feel like I've gone back in time. I absolutely feel like I'm Kim Campbell rooted in 2023. She's a different woman. She's a different teacher."

Also back for the new series are Adam Thomas and Katie Griffiths as Donte and Chlo Charles.

The couple, who have been together since their school days in the early series, are now happily married with two children Izzy and Tommy - who are played by Thomas' own niece Scarlett and son Teddy.

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He said: "Working with Scarlett and Teddy has definitely been a handful. At first I was so happy they were working on set with me, but I think it was like day two and they were having a fight on set, Teddy was crying and I was like oh my god, what have I got myself into here.

"But no, it’s all part of the fun and it’s amazing, just being in a show that I was in when I was just a bit older than they were and just watching them in a show like this it’s just a great platform for them."

Joining the cast is Kym Marsh, who plays school parent and dinner lady Nicky Walters.

There's also an all-new student cast for viewers to get to know.

What will happen in Waterloo Road?

There's a lot going on in the new term at Waterloo Road, as executive producer Cameron Roach explained.

He said: "The COVID pandemic can be considered a watershed moment for many; and with a cost of living crisis now in full force; a period of massive social change beckons... where better to see this play out, than in the classrooms of Waterloo Road."

Information about the new series reads: "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.

"Across the term, Waterloo Road’s teachers and parents are going to have to learn on their feet as they try to navigate the ever changing social landscape - from teen homelessness to the cost of living, being LGBTQ+, racism, sexism, mental health and everything else facing young teens today.

"Amongst the chaos, the students, faculty and parents still make time for friendships, fun, and a few romances. The pupils have a lot to contend with this term, but they will learn to lean on one another to survive the year and try to stay out of detention as much as possible.

"Riots, scandals, fractured families and challenging kids – for Headteacher Kim Campbell and her team, fire-fighting is a way of life. Who said education was easy?"

Waterloo Road begins tonight at 8pm on BBC One.