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New this week
Day and time to be confirmed BBC ONE
www.bbc.co.uk/drama
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?
Michael Byrne is played by Alec Newman, Phoenix Taylor by Kayak Moore, Harley Taylor by Kane Tomlinson-Weaver, Jez Diamond by Alex Walkinshaw, Sian Diamond by Jaye Jacobs, Tariq by Naveed Choudhry, Finn by Jack Mullen and Trudi by Aryana Ramkhalawon.
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Epsiode 12 - 21 September 2011
Newly married Waterloo Road teachers Jez and Sian Diamond plan a dinner party to get to know their colleagues, but the unexpected arrival of Jez's estranged children, Madi and Zack, rocks their world, and Sian's shocked to learn that Jez has been blanking them for weeks, as the drama continues.
Meanwhile, Michael's A-level recruitment drive brings him to loggerheads with Grantly, who's determined to sabotage the process. Matt is touched by Scout's enthusiasm for the guitar and Vicki is inspired to retake her A-level sciences, but when Ronan hosts a surprise house-warming party it only serves to highlight the differences in their relationship. And Michael's effort to reunite the Taylor boys with their father looks scuppered when Phoenix sets out to prove that Nelson's still a good-for-nothing alcoholic.
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S07E13: Grantly is furious over a new arrival
Airs on Wednesday, September 28 2011 19:30 BST on BBC One
Headmaster Michael Byrne unleashes his secret weapon on Waterloo Road - one-woman whirlwind and new Head of English Linda Radleigh.
Grantly is apoplectic that she was appointed without the position even being advertised, but Tom tries to placate the old stalwart.
Linda soon gets her hands dirty when she agrees to keep an eye on Emily James on the day her sister Lindsay is due to leave prison. Keen to see Lindsay but unaware that her sister has no intention of returning home, Emily soon gives Linda the slip. Linda is then forced to head off in pursuit.
Meanwhile, when Jez announces the lunchtime Fit Club, Chalky's crush on Janeece prompts him to sign up, and Michael tries to get closer to Sian over a late-night drink.
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Nice to know its finally coming back.
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Waterloo Road newcomer Alec Newman has revealed more details about his character Michael Byrne, admitting that he will have a tangled history with some of his colleagues.
The latest run of the BBC One drama sees charismatic Michael take over as the school's headmaster, having been appointed by the education authority to turn its fortunes around.
A number of other new recruits also join the school in the opening episodes - including deputy head Sian Diamond and Head of English Linda Radleigh, who are not strangers to Michael.
"Michael's had relationships with both Sian and Linda," Newman told TV Choice. "The one with Sian was by far the most serious of the two and, although he ended it, he still has feelings for her."
Sian, played by former Holby City star Jaye Jacobs, works at the school with new husband Jez (Alex Walkinshaw) - but has been tipped to start questioning her marriage when she comes face-to-face with Michael again.
Jacobs told the magazine: "Sian fell in love with Jez's cheeky, chirpy character. He brings out her fun-loving side, but she's a Cambridge graduate and Michael offers her the intellectual stimulation that Jez never could."
Waterloo Road returns on Wednesday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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Waterloo Road's new recruit Jaye Jacobs has praised the positive atmosphere on the show's set, revealing how much she enjoys working with screen husband Alex Walkinshaw.
Jacobs and Walkinshaw were recently cast as newlyweds Sian and Jez Diamond, who take up respective positions in the science and PE departments in the latest run of episodes.
"We giggle constantly - and far too much on set," Jacobs told TV Times of her working relationship with Walkinshaw. "It's weird for me playing a wife because I've never been a wife in real life.
"But Alex is great and says, 'Come on, don't be shy. It's all going to be fine!'"
Jacobs added that she prefers Sian's wardrobe to the scrubs she had to wear for her previous role as Holby City's Donna Jackson.
She said: "[The clothes are] certainly a step up from Holby. I like Sian's wardrobe. But I'm not used to wearing dresses. Also, I have to wear heels all day. I used to get to 3pm and my feet would be killing me, but now I can wear them all day."
Waterloo Road returns on Wednesday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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Waterloo Road newcomer Alex Walkinshaw has admitted that he was "petrified" on his first day of filming with the show.
The actor, best known for his long-running role as Smithy on The Bill, was cast as PE teacher Jez Diamond earlier this year after Paul Nicholls left the part unexpectedly.
Viewers will see Jez for the first time on Wednesday as he is introduced along with his wife Sian (Jaye Jacobs) and other new recruits at the school.
Walkinshaw told TV Choice of his early moments on set: "I haven't had a 'first day' in nearly 10 years, which is ridiculous for an actor, and I was petrified. The Bill was a real family unit, everyone was tight.
"On my first day on the set of Waterloo Road I was really quiet, but on my second day, the entire cast started taking the mickey out of me.
"They gave me a right roasting in the staff room and I thought, 'This is great - this is exactly what I'm after'. I felt nice and relaxed after that."
Asked to describe his character, he replied: "Jez is a lovable, decent, thoroughly nice bloke. He adores Sian and will drop everything for her - you could say he loves her too much. I don't think Sian's used to being worshipped and it freaks her out!"
Waterloo Road returns on Wednesday at 7.30pm on BBC One.
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Wednesday 5 October
7.30-8.30pm BBC ONE and BBC ONE HD
www.bbc.co.uk/waterlooroad
It's the day of Waterloo Road's rugby clash with St Mary's and Jez, under pressure to deliver the morale-boosting victory that he's promised Michael, enlists the help of combative ex-pro Ken Watling, as the drama continues.
When Ken orders that Zack be dropped from the team, Jez reluctantly agrees.
Things come to a head between a stressed-out Vicki and Ronan and when Vicki injuries herself, Sian becomes suspicious that Ronan is hitting his girlfriend.
Phoenix, meanwhile, is over the moon when Nelson presents him with a moped for his birthday, and later that night professional boundaries are crossed for Linda and Michael when she makes him an indecent proposal...
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Wednesday 12 October
7.30-8.30pm BBC ONE and BBC ONE HD
www.bbc.co.uk/waterlooroad
Scout is over the moon when Mia, a mid-twenties MS sufferer, offers her the position as a live-in carer, but Em's recklessness threatens to jeopardise everything, in the latest episode of the school drama.
At school, Matt has organised a special orchestra project and is irked when Michael insists that Tariq is included. Michael himself is trying to keep his distance from Linda and is troubled when Sian accepts Linda's help to input the grades. His instinct proves correct when Linda confesses to Sian about their tryst, but Sian's reaction to the news provokes unexpected consequences that could have serious implications for her marriage. And Michael's world is rocked even further by the sudden arrival of Wayne!
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Thought Georgia Henshaw was good last night, and Janeece at the dinner party! it was so funny!
