EastEnders legend looks worlds away from Walford as they debut in Waterloo Road as BBC shares first look at new series
AN EastEnders legend looks worlds away from the streets of Walford as they make their debut in the first look at the new BBC series of Waterloo Road.
The actor replaces disgraced headteacher Steve Savage who was played by Jason Manford in the last series.
In the previous season, Steve had covered up the murder of pupil Boz Osbourne which his son had committed.
Former EastEnders star Lindsey Coulson will take over his role as Head Teacher in the new fifth season.
Lindsey is best known for her role as the formidable Carol Jackson in Albert Square, though left the show in 2015.
But she looks very different in her new role in Waterloo Road as Stella is worlds away from her Walford character.
waterloo road
Stella joins the cast, as staff attempt to rebuild the reputation of Waterloo Road which is currently known as the ‘murder school’.
Speaking about landing the role, Lindsey 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.”
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Also joining the new series is Hollyoaks Cory McClane as student Ashton Stone, a ‘scally with a soul’.
The character is described as aloveable rogue, with a kind heart, who trouble seems to follow around.
Returning years after her teenage pregnancy storyline, fan favourite Zeriozha Annika will reprise her role as Celine Stone.
Now happily married and mum to Ashton, Celine’s return will spark questions for old flame Donte.
Also completing the new cast are The Bay's Lucy Chambers as Cat Gutherie.
The opposite of her fierce sister Libby, bubbly Cat is curious, carefree and doesn’t have a ruthless bone in her body.
Waterloo road main cast - past and present
Who was part of the main cast of Waterloo Road series 13?
Parents and Staff
- Angela Griffin - Headteacher Kim Campbell
- James Baxter - Deputy Head Joe Casey
- Vincent Jerome - Deputy Head Lindon King
- Ryan Clayton - School security Sergeant Mike Rutherford
- Jo Coffey as PA to headteacher, Wendy Whitwell
- Neil Fitzmaurice - History teacher Neil Guthrie
- Rachel Leskovac - Head of English Coral Walker
- Kym Marsh - School Canteen worker Nicky Walters
- Katherine Pearce - Junior teacher Amy Spratt
- Shauna Shim - Music teacher Valerie Chambers
- Adam Thomas - School caretaker Donte Charles
- Jamie Glover - Former deputy head Andrew Treneman
Pupils
- Noah Valentine - Preston Walters
- Priyasasha Kumari - Samia Choudhry
- Adam Ali - Kai Sharif
- Alicia Forde - Kelly Jo Rafferty
- Francesco Piacentini-Smith - Dean Weever
- Liam Scholes - Noel McManus
- Lucy Eleanor Begg - Caz Williams
- Summer Violet Bird - Tonya Walters
- Scarlett Thomas - Izzy Charles
- Thapelo Ray - Dwayne Jackson
- Inathi Rozani - Zayne Jackson
- Chiamaka Ulebor - Shola Aku
- Hattie Dynevor - Libby Guthrie
- Zak Sutcliffe - Schumacher "Schuey" Weever
- Tillie Amartey - Stacey "Stace" Neville
- Maisie Robinson - Portia Weever
- Aabay Noor Ali - Mollie 'Mog' Richardson
- Zanele Nyoni - Jess Clarke
- Teddy Wallwork - Declan Harding
Returning
- Lauren Drummond - Mika Grainger
Who were some of the past notable characters from across the years?
Previous Heads
- Jack Rimmer - Jason Merrells
- Rachel Mason - Eva Pope
- Karen Fisher - Amanda Burton
- Michael Byrne - Alec Newman
- Christine Mulgrew - Laurie Brett
- Vaughan Fitzgerald - Neil Pearson
Notable Teachers
- Drama teacher Izzy Redpath - Jill Halfpenny
- English teacher Tom Clarkson - Jason Done
- English teacher Lorna Dickey - Camilla Power
- English teacher Grantley Budgen - Philip Martin Brown
- French teacher Steph Haydock - Denise Welch
- Deputy Head Eddie Lawson - Neil Morrissey
- Deputy Head Chistopher Mead - William Ash
- Executive Head Max Tyler - Tom Chambers
- Drama and Music teacher Matt Wilding - Chris Geere
- English teacher Jasmine Koreshi - Shabana Bakhsh
- Special needs assistant Davina Shackleton - Christine Tremarco
- Home Economics teacher - Ruby Fry Elizabeth Berrington
- Head of Foreign Languages Jo Lipsett - Sarah-Jane Potts
- Foreign Languages teacher Francesca "Cesca" Montoya - Karen David
- Geography teacher Marcus Kirby - Wil Johnson
- Head of Pastoral Care Adanna Lawal - Sharlene Whyte,
Coronation Street's Niamh Blackshaw who played Juliet Nightingale on the Channel 4 soap, joins as student Agnes Eccleston,
Agnes is a passionate Christian who is deeply committed to her faith, despite her rebellious streak.
And Wallace & Gromit; Vengence Most Fowl's Lauren Patel joins as teacher Jas Sharma, daughter of teacher Nisha Chandra.
As usual the new season promises lots of fun and humour whilst also reflecting important social issues affecting the nation.
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Storylines will include those of coercive control, women’s health, unemployment, addiction and issues facing teachers.
Waterloo Road airs Tuesday 11 February on BBC1, with all episodes of the new series available on BBC iPlayer from 6am.