Waterloo Road Series 8 (***with spoiler*******)

[Perdita]

From Wiki:


A further 20 episodes began filming in May 2011, for broadcast from the autumn. These episodes were initially planned to form the second part of series 7 but during series 7's transmission it was indicated that they may instead make up an eighth series

Alec Newman plays new headmaster Michael Byrne. Other new characters include Alex Walkinshaw and Jaye Jacobs as newly-married teachers Jez and Sian Diamond, and John Thomson in a recurring role as a parent. Torchwood star Kai Owen will also guest star in an unknown role. Paul Nicholls was initially cast as Jez, but was released from his contract after three days of filming due to personal problems affecting shooting.

Jason Done, Mark Benton, Philip Martin Brown and Chelsee Healey all return to the series, as does Chris Geere, his character Matt Wilding returning to Waterloo Road on Michael's request to reinvigorate the music and drama departments.

New pupils include Phoenix and Harley (Kane Tomlinson-Weaver) Taylor, Madeline (Georgia Henshaw) and Zack Diamond, and Tariq (Naveed Choudhry), Trudi (Aryana Ramkhalawon) and Naseem Siddiqui.

I am really looking forward to the next series, Wednesday night is not the same at the moment and it is not too long to wait, I guess

[Perdita]

Jane Asher has signed up for a guest appearance in BBC One's Waterloo Road, taking on the role of a school inspector, Digital Spy can confirm.

The actress's feisty character will arrive at Waterloo Road Comprehensive later this year to investigate its progress following previous problems.

Speaking of how the newcomer causes a stir, a show source told The Mirror: "Her arrival couldn't come at a worse time. There is trouble between the staff and pupils - and she will come across it."

Asher is thought to be currently staying in Manchester while she films her part in the programme, which is set in Rochdale.

A BBC spokesperson confirmed to Digital Spy that Asher is guest starring in one episode.

As previously announced, new signings for the show's return include Scottish actor Alec Newman as the school's latest headteacher Michael Byrne, Jaye Jacobs and Alex Walkinshaw as married teachers Sian and Jez Diamond, and former Cold Feet star John Thomson, who will appear as a parent in regular guest appearances throughout the series.

Meanwhile, Chris Geere has signed up to make a comeback as ex-Waterloo Road teacher Matt Wilding, who is recruited to reinvigorate the music and drama departments.

Waterloo Road returns to screens in the autumn.

[alan45]

Waterloo Road is leaving its home of Rochdale and will begin filming in Scotland from next year, it has been announced.

The popular school drama will make the move next April as part of the BBC's aim to produce more programming in Scotland. The first series to be set in the show's new location will air in September 2012.

Waterloo Road fans have already seen ten episodes of the programme's seventh series, with another ten due to air from September. A further set of ten instalments will be filmed in the autumn for broadcast after Christmas, and these will be the last to be shot in Rochdale.

It is understood that viewers will see an "explosive" storyline air in early 2012 resulting in a group of existing teachers and pupils setting up a new independent school in Scotland, which will also use the Waterloo Road name.

Eileen Gallagher, chief executive of the show's Glasgow-based production company Shed, commented: "Waterloo Road has had an incredibly happy six years in Rochdale working with one of the best TV crews in the country. But now we have outgrown our present site and we couldn't resist the BBC offer to take the show to Scotland."

BBC Drama executive Ben Stephenson added: "As part of our ongoing commitment to establishing a drama base in Scotland, I asked Shed whether they would be interested in re-locating future series of Waterloo Road to their home country. While sad to leave Rochdale, they immediately saw the potential of the new stories they could tell, as well as being excited about putting down roots in their native Scotland.

"I am sure fans will love what Shed have planned - it will remain the show our audience love. Alongside River City, the arrival of Waterloo Road establishes Scotland as a home of mass drama production and I am excited about the many new Scottish developments coming down the track.

"I would like to pay tribute to Rochdale and the local community who have taken the hit series to their hearts over the past seven years and saw it triumph at this year's National TV Awards to win 'Most Popular Drama'."

Waterloo Road's return to screens next month will see new headmaster Michael Byrne, played by Scottish actor Alec Newman, begin to make his mark on the school following the departure of Amanda Burton's character Karen Fisher.

[alan45]

Waterloo Road star Rebecca Ryan has criticised the show's forthcoming move to Scotland, branding the decision a "massive shame".

The actress, who is currently filming her final scenes as Vicki MacDonald, spoke out following the news that the drama will be leaving its home of Rochdale next year.

Yesterday, the BBC announced that an "explosive" storyline airing in early 2012 will result in a group of existing teachers and pupils setting up a new independent school in Scotland, which will also use the Waterloo Road name.

Ryan told the Manchester Evening News: "This is a massive, massive shame. It will change the whole dynamic of the show and people know Waterloo Road as a northern school. The show will not be the same and it will not have the same appeal to the viewers.

"Most of the cast, especially the pupils, are based in the North and it has been very handy for them. People who are based in London are also only two hours away so the move to Scotland will be massive for everyone involved."

Rochdale council's deputy leader Peter Williams also questioned the decision, claiming that it will prove "detrimental" for young actors in the North West of England.

Williams told the newspaper: "I am disappointed that they have decided to move the show and I am not sure how it will function. The idea they have come up with is like bringing Bobby Ewing back in Dallas. It is a TV programme based in Rochdale and in the long term it will have a detrimental effect on the opportunities for young actors from the North West."

The BBC has made its decision as part of an ongoing plan to produce more programming in Scotland. Meanwhile, the show's production company Shed yesterday said that Waterloo Road has "outgrown" its present site in Rochdale.

[tammyy2j]

^ I wonder will she return to Shameless or Emmerdale now

[alan45]

Waterloo Road star Philip Martin Brown has confirmed that he is hoping to stick with the show following its move to Scotland.

The actor has played the role of strict English teacher Grantly Budgen since the drama's first series, but the news that Waterloo Road will be leaving its home of Rochdale next year has led to speculation over the future of the current cast.

Yesterday, it was announced that a surprise storyline due to air in early 2012 will result in a group of existing pupils and teachers setting up an independent school in Scotland, which will also use the Waterloo Road name.

Brown wrote on Twitter: "WR north of the border will be great - just wait and see. That's a promise! The show always reinvents itself and keeps fresh for that. I'm excited!"

He added: "I hope to stay with the show but can never be sure until I'm in the breakfast queue on the 1st day of filming!"

Waterloo Road bosses have confirmed that the search for the show's new set will begin next week following the news that the programme is leaving Rochdale.

Yesterday, it was announced that the BBC drama will be filmed in Scotland from next year, but the exact location for the show's new home has yet to be found.

Bosses at Shed, the production company behind the programme, have now told Herald Scotland that scouts will soon be sent out to find a disused school or office building which will become the new Waterloo Road.

"The show is about a community so we will be looking for somewhere that has got that feel to it," Shed's chief executive Eileen Gallagher explained. "It is not a gritty urban drama, so we will need somewhere that has some greenery.

"It is all shot on location and we are looking for a school or an office building that can double as one. Our last location was a school in Rochdale and it was crumbling, so we hope the new one will be more high-tech and modern because that is what schools are like nowadays."

As revealed yesterday, an "explosive" storyline is being planned to explain the move. The plot will result in a group of existing pupils and teachers setting up a new independent school in Scotland, which will also use the Waterloo Road name.

Gallagher added: "The story will transfer to Scotland, but will feature the same teachers and pupils, although new characters will also come in. It will feature more Scottish actors."

Waterloo Road's first episodes to be set in Scotland will air from September 2012.

[hbk4894]

Waterloo Road is back for a new term and it's the first day at school for charismatic superhead Michael Byrne, brought in by the education authority to turn the school around. But Michael literally bears the scars of his success following an attack at his previous school by the knife-carrying Wayne. Called to court to hear the verdict, Michael is appalled when his ex-pupil is acquitted of attempted murder, and vows to get revenge.

For new pupils Phoenix and Harley Taylor, the day begins in tragedy when they discover the death of their nan. Determined not to be sent back to live with their abusive alcoholic father, the brothers resolve to keep her death a secret, but their plan begins to unravel when their erratic behaviour attracts attention.

Meanwhile, the old guards' noses are put firmly out of joint by the introduction of a fresh team of high-achieving teachers specially chosen by Michael, including newlyweds Jez and Sian Diamond. And the pupils are confronted by an influx of trouble-makers from the nearby estates, including ring-leader Tariq, but Finn's more interested in Tariq's beguiling sister, Trudi – perhaps he can get over Sambuca after all?

From BBC press office

[Perdita]

Waterloo Road is back for a new term and it's the first day at school for charismatic superhead Michael Byrne, brought in by the education authority to turn the school around. But Michael literally bears the scars of his success following an attack at his previous school by the knife-carrying Wayne. Called to court to hear the verdict, Michael is appalled when his ex-pupil is acquitted of attempted murder, and vows to get revenge.

For new pupils Phoenix and Harley Taylor, the day begins in tragedy when they discover the death of their nan. Determined not to be sent back to live with their abusive alcoholic father, the brothers resolve to keep her death a secret, but their plan begins to unravel when their erratic behaviour attracts attention.

Meanwhile, the old guards' noses are put firmly out of joint by the introduction of a fresh team of high-achieving teachers specially chosen by Michael, including newlyweds Jez and Sian Diamond. And the pupils are confronted by an influx of trouble-makers from the nearby estates, including ring-leader Tariq, but Finn's more interested in Tariq's beguiling sister, Trudi – perhaps he can get over Sambuca after all?

From BBC press office

already posted http://www.soapboards.co.uk/forums/s...ge9#post754981

[Perdita]

Waterloo Road producers have reportedly found a location to film the new series in Lanarkshire.

It was announced in August that the BBC One drama would be relocating to Scotland as part of the BBC's aim to produce more programming there.

Bosses at production company Shed, which makes the show, are said to have set their sights on a former hostel in Coatbridge to use as the new Waterloo Road set.

Makers of the programme have visited the site - located in the Whifflet area of the former steel town - in recent weeks to ensure the building, once used as a school, is suitable.

It was closed as a hostel last year after receiving regular complaints from locals and constant visits from police.

"Coatbridge might not seem like the most glamorous place but the location ticks all the right boxes," an insider told the Daily Record.

Speaking of the search for a new location, Shed's chief executive Eileen Gallagher recently explained: "The show is about a community so we will be looking for somewhere that has got that feel to it. It is all shot on location and we are looking for a school or an office building that can double as one."

An "explosive" Waterloo Road storyline will result in a group of existing pupils and teachers setting up a new independent school in Scotland.

[Perdita]

Former Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett has joined the cast of Waterloo Road.

The 28-year-old actress, who left her role as Jo Sugden in 2008, will appear in the new series of the BBC One drama as a 17-year-old student.

A source told the Daily Star Sunday: "There is always plenty of drama on Waterloo Road and Roxanne's character will be right in the middle of it. Roxanne is so popular with viewers so it's no wonder they've signed her up.

"There aren't many actresses who can play someone more than ten years younger than them. Most people who are nearly 30 have forgotten what school was like but Roxanne has gone back for a new term on one of TV's top shows."

Since leaving Emmerdale, Pallet has competed in Dancing On Ice - finishing in sixth place - and starred in Casualty.

Pallet started filming for Waterloo Road last week and will appear on screen later this year.

The show will relocate to Scotland in April of next year as part of the BBC's aim to produce more programming there.