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 this week with what's set to be an even stronger new instalment.
Cameron Roach, Executive Producer for Waterloo Road, has promised that this particular series, which features an exciting new recruit, 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 how to tune in.
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.
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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?
In series 16, 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.
The new series will mark the arrival of Jon Richardson (pictured above) as the school’s new media studies teacher, Darius Donovan. According to the BBC, "With charisma to spare, Mr.Donovan sparks disorder and viewers will see returning Headteacher Stella Drake (Lindsey Coulson) and teacher-turned-counsellor Jack Rimmer (Jason Merells) manage his intrepid behaviour."
Who's starring in Waterloo Road series 16?
There's a return to class - and some new starts - for the following cast members:
- Jon Richardson (Taskmaster) as Darius Donovan
- 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
Is there a trailer for Waterloo Road series 16?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Waterloo Road series 16 below:
How can I watch Waterloo Road series 16?
Excitingly, Waterloo Road series 16 is set to arrive on BBC One and BBC iPlayer 0n Tuesday 23rd September. The full series will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am, and episodes will be released weekly on BBC One. There will be a double bill of Waterloo Road every Tuesday at 9pm with the second episode at 10.40pm. If you're new to the series, series 1-15 are now available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer.
