BBC drama 'Waterloo Road' is set to make a comeback six years after it was axed.

Waterloo Road

Waterloo Road

The secondary school-set serial drama first aired in 2006 and won legions of fans by tackling numerous tough issues over its 200-episode run and now its coming back and first of all it will tackle the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on school kids.

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."

The gritty show - which was written by the creators of ITV prison drama 'Bad Girls' - was originally set in Rochdale but later series saw a relocation to Greenock, Scotland, but it has been confirmed that the new episodes will be set once again in Greater Manchester.

Executive producer Cameron Roach said: "'Waterloo Road' will continue its reputation for kickstarting, supporting and enabling careers both in front of and behind the camera, in a truly inclusive way, from our base in Greater Manchester."

The first run of the series featured a slew of familiar faces, such as 'Loose Women' panellist Denise Welch as hapless French teacher Steph Haydock and 'Hollyoaks' actress Chelsee Healey, 33, as ditsy but lovable pupil-turned-secretary Janeece Bryant.

Former 'Corrie' actress Angela Griffin, 45, played pastoral care teacher Kim Campbell who smuggled a Rwandan baby into the country.

It launched the careers of 'The Capture' star Holliday Grainger, 33, and Jenna Coleman, who went on to win awards for her role as companion Clara Oswald in 'Doctor Who' and as Queen Victoria in 'Victoria'.

The series - of which all ten series were released on BBC iPlayer prior to lockdown - tackled issues such as teenage pregnancy, alcohol, and drug addiction, and cancer.

Sensational storylines saw headteacher Rachel Mason (Eva Pope) being exposed as a former prostitute, an explosion rip through the canteen, and pupil Maxine Barlow being shot to death by boyfriend Earl Kelly.

Wegner added: "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."

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