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Waterloo Road bosses have revealed a string of new signings for the show's final series.
Casualty and Personal Affairs actress Laura Aikman is among the new recruits who have joined the BBC One drama for its last run of episodes.
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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Laura Aikman attends the launch of Baileys Chocolat Luxe at Bar Chocolat, Covent Garden on September 10, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Baileys)
© David M. Benett/Getty Images for Baileys
Laura Aikman
Further details of Aikman's character will be revealed nearer the time, but show chiefs have promised that she will be playing a lead role as a new arrival in the staff room.
Aikman commented: "I'm very pleased to be starting filming on Waterloo Road and to be joining the very talented cast. It's exciting to be part of the final series."
Fresh Meat's Rege Jean Page and actor Stefano Braschi have also joined up to play new staff members.
Viewers can also expect some new pupils, with former Hollyoaks actor Andrew Still - who played Joel Dexter on the Channel 4 soap - among those joining the school.
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Joel Dexter, Hollyoaks, Andrew Still
© Lime Pictures
Former Hollyoaks actor Andrew Still
Former River City cast members Holly Jack and Finlay MacMillan will also be playing students alongside Broadchurch's Charlotte Beaumont and new talent Armin Karim.
Executive producer John Griffin commented: "This will be the last series of Waterloo Road and we plan to give our incredible fanbase a final term they will never forget. In true Waterloo Road style, we're set to go out with a bang."
Christopher Aird, Head of Drama at BBC Scotland, added: "We're delighted to welcome some fantastic new home grown talent to the wonderful cast of Waterloo Road. Each of our new pupils have some very exciting storylines. We're sure the viewers will enjoy seeing them each make their mark on the school."
Filming on the final series of Waterloo Road is already under way ahead of broadcast in early 2015. In the meantime, the final ten episodes of series nine will transmit later this year.
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Waterloo Road's cast and crew will film the show's final scenes today (August 22).
The popular school drama has been running since 2006, but BBC One has decided not to commission any further series.
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The cast and crew of Waterloo Road
© Shed Productions (WR) / Stuart Nichol
The cast and crew of Waterloo Road
Production on the programme will come to an end at the Waterloo Road base in Greenock, Scotland today.
Cast involved in the scenes will include Laurie Brett, who plays Christine Mulgrew, and Neil Pearson, who has yet to make his first on-screen appearance as new headteacher Vaughan Fitzgerald.
It was announced in April that Waterloo Road would be coming to an end after its tenth series, but bosses promised to send the show out "on a high".
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The cast and crew of Waterloo Road
© Shed Productions (WR) / Stuart Nichol
Laurie Brett and Neil Pearson with producers and director
The next block of ten episodes is expected to air this year, while the final series will be shown in 2015.
Casualty and Personal Affairs actress Laura Aikman and former Hollyoaks actor Andrew Still are among the new recruits who have joined the BBC One drama for its last run of episodes.
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Think it was time to call it a day. The best series were definitely when they didnt have as many episodes in them, 1-4. Once it had the ridiculous storyline of merging with the other school...John Fosters if my memory is correct.
Think I may watch the last series just for old time sake!
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Think it was time to call it a day. The best series were definitely when they didnt have as many episodes in them, 1-4. Once it had the ridiculous storyline of merging with the other school...John Fosters if my memory is correct.
Think I may watch the last series just for old time sake!
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Waterloo Road's new recruit Neil Pearson has revealed more details about his role on the show, explaining that his character Vaughan Fitzgerald will have to prove himself when he takes over at the school.
The former Drop The Dead Donkey actor will be playing Waterloo Road's new headteacher when the BBC One drama returns to screens next month.
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Neil Pearson as Vaughan Fitzgerald in Waterloo Road
© BBC / Headstrong Pictures (WR) Limited/Michele Dillon
Neil Pearson as Vaughan Fitzgerald
Billed as dominant, dynamic and forward-thinking, hopes are high when Vaughan takes up his new position at the troubled school.
Vaughan is joined by his new partner Allie (Nicola Stephenson), who takes over the art department. Both have their own children and there could be trouble ahead when the kids' warring behaviour threatens to spill over into the classroom.
Speaking of Vaughan's arrival, Pearson explained: "Vaughan is an experienced headteacher with a successful track record and a clear idea of the sort of education he wants any school of his to provide - an education which will help his pupils through life, not just exams.
"Vaughan loves teaching, but the admin and politics that come with the position of headteacher is a source of constant frustration to him. He feels an uncomfortable distance between him and the children, both at school and at home.
"When a new teacher - even a headteacher - arrives at any school, pupils are always wary, unimpressed and looking for weaknesses they can exploit. It's up to Vaughan to prove himself."
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Waterloo Road's teaching staff in the classroom
© BBC / Headstrong Pictures (WR) Limited/Michele Dillon
Waterloo Road's teaching staff in the classroom
Pearson added that he was attracted to the role because he knew Vaughan would quickly run into big problems in his new job.
He said: "Vaughan has a lot going on - a new job, a new relationship, and with the arrival of two stepchildren, new domestic responsibilities too. It was never going to be dull.
"Balancing work and family is a problem for everyone. When, like Vaughan, you're trying to balance work and two families, the problems come thick and fast."
Waterloo Road returns for a new block of ten episodes next month on BBC One.
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Waterloo Road newcomer Nicola Stephenson has praised upcoming storylines for her character Allie Westbrook.
Allie is a new art teacher for the school, who makes her first appearance when the BBC One drama returns to screens next month.
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Nicola Stephenson as Allie Westbrook in Waterloo Road
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR) Ltd/Toby Merritt
Nicola Stephenson as Allie Westbrook
Allie is also the partner of Waterloo Road's new headteacher Vaughan Fitzgerald. Although their relationship has been steady, problems arise when his children unexpectedly turn up to live with them and clash with her own kids.
Speaking about her role, Stephenson explained: "Allie is a lovely mix of someone who is confident, emotionally intelligent, relentlessly optimistic and practical. She is very child-centric, liberal and passionate about teaching.
"I think it's this passion and approach to teaching that is the bond she shares with Vaughan. She is very much in love with him and prepared to overcome all the obstacles life throws at them to be with him and make their family work."
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Neil Pearson and Nicola Stephenson as Vaughhan Fitzgerald and Allie Westbrook in Waterloo Road
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR) Ltd/Alan Peebles
Waterloo Road's Vaughan and Allie
Discussing Allie's new living arrangements, she continued: "It's a great situation for a whole heap of dramatic storylines. But Allie seems ready for it.
"She's totally in love with her new family but she's also realistic about it. She knows the only way to survive their problems is to tackle them sensitively, but head on. She's a doer!"
Asked what attracted her to the role, she replied: "To play a woman who has all these fantastic qualities, who is so strong and practical but also sensitive, loving and liberal and to see her pushed to her limits by an extremely difficult domestic situation. It's a perfect set up for top drama."
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Waterloo Road will return on Wednesday, October 15, it has been confirmed.
The first of ten new one-hour episodes will air at 8pm, with ten final episodes scheduled to air in 2015.
The new episode will feature the introduction of new head teacher Vaughan Fitzgerald, who is played by Drop the Dead Donkey actor Neil Pearson.
Nicola Stephenson has also joined the cast as new art teacher Allie, who is the partner of Vaughan.
It was announced in April that Waterloo Road would be coming to an end after its tenth series, but bosses promised to send the show out "on a high".
The cast and crew filmed the show's final scenes in Greenock, Scotland on August 22.
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Richard Mylan has confirmed that he will exit Waterloo Road before the show ends.
The actor, who stars as deputy headteacher Simon Lowsley in the BBC One drama, will leave before the series draws to a conclusion next year.
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Richard Mylan as Simon Lowsley on Waterloo Road
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR) / Mark Mainz
"Simon is definitely facing tough, challenging times ahead - he's blissfully unaware of it though," Mylan told Wales Online.
"I've been keeping Simon's secret quiet for a long time now and it is really hard, but he does leave the show. Fans will be expecting him to be in it until the end, so it's going to be quite a big shock for many people."
Viewers have seen Simon's wife Sue (Vanessa Hehir) kiss PE teacher Hector Reid (Leon Ockenden), with the love triangle set to cause problems in the upcoming ninth series.
"It's a horrible situation to be in. Somebody that you love is acting differently and their behaviour becomes erratic, but you have no idea why," the actor revealed.
"The pupils pick up on things and can recognise when there is chemistry between teachers - they are really astute and aware. He is never suspecting it, but you'll see that it all comes to blows."
Mylan, who finished filming in December 2013, added that he had "enjoyed acting out everything that Simon stands for" during his time on the show: "He's been really interesting to play and the script is totally beyond what I imagined. It was hard to leave the show, it holds really great memories for me."
Waterloo Road returns at 8pm on Wednesday, October 15.
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Waterloo Road newcomer Max Bowden has spoken to Digital Spy about his role on the show, promising "an emotional rollercoaster" for his character Justin Fitzgerald.
The actor is part of a new family for the BBC One drama, who make their first appearance when the show returns to screens this Wednesday.
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Max Bowden as Justin Fitzgerald in Waterloo Road
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR) Ltd/Toby Merritt
Max Bowden as Justin Fitzgerald
Justin is the son of Waterloo Road's new headteacher Vaughan Fitzgerald (Neil Pearson). As Vaughan takes office at the school, his new partner Allie Westbrook (Nicola Stephenson) is put in charge of the art department, but their new opportunity is soon threatened when their warring children's behaviour threatens to spill out into the classroom.
Along with Justin, Vaughan has a younger boy named Leo (Zebb Dempster), while Allie has two children - Floyd and Tiffany (Leo Flanagan and Sammy Oliver).
Speaking to Digital Spy about the fireworks to come, Bowden explained: "You can expect an emotional rollercoaster for Justin. He's quite traumatised by the fact that his mum and dad have broken up. He sees Allie as the only person who's standing in the way of his parents getting back together, so he thinks it's his job to do everything he can to upset Allie. In doing that, he's upsetting his whole family.
"For Justin, it's daunting to be part of this new family. He's the oldest and he's immediately made to feel like he's got to fit in. The truth of the matter is that he doesn't want to fit in - he wants his family to be what it was before.
"The Westbrooks are trying to create this family environment and Justin isn't having any of it, but the truth of the matter is that if they weren't in the family environment and only knew each other from school, they probably would have got along really well."
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Leo Fitzgerald, Justin Fitzgerald, Tiffany Westbrook and Floyd Westbrook in Waterloo Road
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR) Ltd/Alan Peebles
Waterloo Road's Leo, Justin, Tiffany and Floyd
Bowden also promised that viewers can expect to see different sides to Justin as the series progresses.
He explained: "Justin does start to become more sensitive and open to one particular character. I won't spoil it by saying who it is, but it'll be interesting to see his change and how somebody can affect him.
"Before that there are some angry moments from him as he feels quite lost. At times, he is quite angry, but he quickly steps out of those situations and finds someone who he can talk to. Things start to change for Justin, or so we hope!"
The character of Justin will be on screen for the final 20 episodes of Waterloo Road, which have now all been filmed. As announced in April, the show will bow out in 2015 after ten series.
Speaking about joining the show for its final episodes, Bowden commented: "Obviously, it was intimidating joining such a long-running drama, but everybody was very welcoming and lovely. It made it much, much easier. More than anything, I'm just excited for people to see it. It was a year ago that we shot it now, so I'm excited to see it all.
"Nicola Stephenson and Neil Pearson were both amazing to work with. I feel as if Neil taught me a lot as a person as well. When I travelled up to Scotland to film for the show, he was like a father figure to me and someone I could go to if I ever needed any help. He taught me a lot about acting, but he also taught me as a person and I owe him a lot."
Neil Pearson and Nicola Stephenson as Vaughhan Fitzgerald and Allie Westbrook in Waterloo Road
© BBC / Shed Productions (WR) Ltd/Alan Peebles
Waterloo Road's Vaughan and Allie
Bowden also promised a fitting ending for Waterloo Road when the show reaches its conclusion next year.
He said: "The stuff that we've created for the last ten episodes next year is some amazing work. It's certainly work that I'm incredibly proud of. I'm really happy that the show is going to go out with a bang and I'm sure the audience are going to love it."
Waterloo Road returns on Wednesday (October 14) at 8pm on BBC One.
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29th October
8.00 - 9.00pm
Rhiannon’s commitment to the virtual baby project causes raised eyebrows, while Carol’s latest scheme puts Maggie’s job in jeopardy. Justin is punished for his bad behaviour.
Allie’s Virtual Baby initiative sees the students confront the responsibilities of parenthood. While Rhiannon takes to ‘motherhood’ like a duck to water, her dedication to the project leaves Darren shaking in his boots.
With her hands no longer in George's pockets, Carol is feeling the pinch. Spotting the opportunity to make some cash, she ramps up the theatrics in the Home Economics class, leaving Maggie fearful for her job.
Allie reveals the full extent of Justin’s anger issues to his father. Vaughan is livid and decides it’s time his son faces the consequences of his actions.
Rhiannon is played by Rebecca Craven, Carol by Zoe Lucker, Maggie by Melanie Hill, Allie by Nicola Stephenson, Darren by Mark Beswick, George by Angus Deayton, Justin by Max Bowden and Vaughan by Neil Pearson.
