This year's hit Netflix series, Adolescence, may have set the bar high for covering the life of troubled teens and the issues they face in school, but the return of the much-loved Waterloo Road will prove once again why the long-running BBC show is the original hard-hitting drama about teenage issues. After 15 incredible series, the BBC's top-tier drama is making an epic comeback with what's set to be an even stronger new instalment.
Cameron Roach, Executive Producer for Waterloo Road, has promised that this particular series will highlight the "continued importance and power of the show" as it's set to carry on its reputation for tackling tough themes facing teenagers in modern times. So, if you're excited about the return to the classroom as we are, here's everything you need to know about Waterloo Road series 16, including the plot, cast and when it will arrive on our screens.
What is Waterloo Road about?
Waterloo Road is a long-running BBC drama about life in a high school called, you guessed it, Waterloo Road – seen from both the teachers and the students' perspectives, as they navigate their way through dramas in and out of school. Over the years, the show has covered wide-reaching themes affecting the adults and teens in the high schools across the country such as pregnancy, dementia, assault, revenge porn, and in the most recent series 15; coercive control.
The show first arrived on our screens in 2006, and was originally set in Rochdale, then it moved location to the Scottish town of Greenock for its 8th to 10th series. In 2015, the BBC announced that series 10 would be the final series - but, like with all good shows, there's always room for a return.
In 2021, fans of the show were delighted when the BBC announced the show's revival, with the new series being set in Greater Manchester. With Lindsey Coulson as Dame Stella Drake at the helm as the school’s current headteacher, fans have called the most recent series 15 – broadcast in February 2025 – “top tier” and “the best series of the revival”.
Announcing two new series - 16 and 17, last year, Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, said: "It's incredibly rewarding to see Waterloo Road go from strength to strength - both creatively on screen, where it remains hugely popular with viewers of all ages, as well as behind the scenes developing the next generation of exciting UK television talent. We're delighted to announce two more series for BBC iPlayer and BBC One."
What will happen in Waterloo Road series 16?
While the exact plot is being kept under wraps for the time being, viewers can expect a dynamic look at the issues facing modern teens at school, and of the teachers, guardians and parents who look after them.
Executive producer, Cameron Roach, has said it will be a “compelling, entertaining" drama that proves the "importance and power" of the show, and with the series going from strength the strength, we're expecting it to be the strongest yet.
"We have been so energised by the audience's reaction to the show, and our first-hand experience of outreach work with numerous partners, and their level of engagement, really demonstrates the continued importance and power of the show," Cameron added.
Who's starring in Waterloo Road series 16?
There's a return to class - and some new starts - for the following cast members:
- Lindsey Coulson (EastEnders) as Dame Stella Drake
- Adam Thomas (Coronation Street) as Donte Charles
- Kym Marsh (Coronation Street) as Nicky Walters
- James Baxter (Emmerdale) as Joe Casey
- Saira Choudhry (No Offence) as Nisha Chandra
- Olly Rhodes (The Last Kingdom) as Billy Savage
- Sonya Nisa (Damsel) as Aleena Qureshi
- Miya Ocego (Wreck) as Lois Taylor-Brown
- Danny Murphy (The Parts You Lose) as Luca Smith
- Matthew Khan (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder) as Jared Jones
- Jo Coffey as Wendy Whitwell
- Shauna Shim as Valerie Chambers
- Neil Fitzmaurice as Neil Guthrie
- Rachel Leskovac as Coral Walker
- Katherine Pearce as Amy Spratt
- Nathan Wood as Boz Osbourne
How can I watch Waterloo Road series 16?
Good news -Waterloo Road series 16 is set to arrive on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the second half of 2025. As soon as we have a confirmed date, we'll share it here. We also know that a 17th series is in the works, which we'd expect to arrive at some point in 2026. In the meantime, series 1-15 are now available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer.
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