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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