Smash-hit BBC series Waterloo Road is returning to our screens this week.
Set in a comprehensive school of the same name, Waterloo Road originally aired from 2006 to 2015, and was one of the UK’s longest-running TV contemporary dramas that spawned plenty of award-winning and highly-publicised storylines, drew in millions of viewers each week, and amassed a cult-following of fans.
The show was famously set and filmed in Rochdale from series one until the end of series seven, when it moved in Scotland, but production returned to Greater Manchester for the revival.
The show’s original run is also known for launching the careers of many young and emerging actors, some of who fans will notice have reprised their roles in the new series, while a handful of others have gone on to hit the big time in recent years.
Here’s eight stars who got their start on Waterloo Road.
ADVERTISEMENT
___
Phoebe Dynevor & Regé-Jean Page
Siobhan Mailey & Guy Braxton
ADVERTISEMENT
Phoebe Dynevor & Regé-Jean Page / Credit: BBC
Did you know that before Phoebe Dynevor and Regé-Jean Page went on to enchant audiences and gain critical acclaim as Daphne and The Duke on the smash-hit Netflix series Bridgerton in 2020, the pair got their start on Waterloo Road?
Trafford-born Dynevor – who also has a famous Manc mum – starred as Siobhan Mailey for 20 episodes between 2009-2010 when she was 14-years-old, and Page played Guy Braxton for eight episodes back in 2015.
While they did not share the screen at the same time, it’s still a coincidence that they had roles in the same show before Bridgerton fame came calling.
ADVERTISEMENT
Jenna Coleman
Lindsay James
Jenna Coleman / Credit: BBC
This one’s probably not as much of a surprise to fans of the long-running BBC show.
But before Blackpool-born Jenna Coleman went on to star as Matt Smith’s assistant Clara Oswald in Doctor Who between 2012-2017, and as the title role of Queen Victoria in the ITV drama Victoria between 2016-2019, she made her name on Waterloo Road.
Coleman played the recurring role of “hard girl” Lindsay James on the show in 2009 – with her character most notable for being at the centre of the gang war storyline between Waterloo Road and a local private school.
Adam Thomas
Donte Charles
ADVERTISEMENT
Adam Thomas / Credit: BBC
While Manchester-born actor Adam Thomas may be best-known for his starring role in the ITV soap Emmerdale between 2009-2018, his stint on the reality competition I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! back in 2016, let’s not forget he cemented his place on the screen by starring in Waterloo Road.
Thomas played the memorable role of original cast member Donte Charles, and was a series regular appearing in 50 episodes between 2006-2009.
Donte Charles was undoubtedly Thomas’ breakthrough role – and it’s a role he has reprised.
Lucien Laviscount
Jonah Kirby
Lucien Laviscount / Credit: BBC
Burnely-born actor Lucien Laviscount had already become known to audiences through his roles on the children’s drama series Grange Hill between 2007-2008, and on the iconic Manchester-based soap Coronation Street in 2009, prior to starring in Waterloo Road between 2010-2011 – but his character Jonah Kirby is one fans remember for the controversial student-teacher relationship storyline that ended in pregnancy and a runaway marriage.
ADVERTISEMENT
Laviscount later went on to compete in Celebrity Big Brother in 2011, and star in and make appearances on a range of TV shows such as Snatch, Skins, Episodes, Shameless, and US series’ Supernatural, Scream Queens, and Katy Keene.
He’s currently starring in Netflix smash-hit series Emily in Paris.
Tom Payne
Bret Aspinall
Tom Payne / Credit: BBC
Essex-born actor Tom Payne famously played the recurring role of sixth-former Brett Aspinall on Waterloo Road for 32 episodes from 2007 to 2008.
But after making his name and departing from the long-running BBC show, he joined the main cast of US zombie drama The Walking Dead as Paul “Jesus” Rovia from 2016-19, before playing Malcolm in crime drama Prodigal Son.
ADVERTISEMENT
Katie McGlynn
Jodie “Scout” Allen
Katie McGlynn / Credit: BBC
Rochdale-born actress Katie McGlynn made a name for herself after donning the sparkles as a contestant on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and is mostly recognised for starring as series regular Sinead Tinker on Coronation Street between 2013-2020, but she first became known for her role as Jodie “Scout” Allen on Waterloo Road from 2011-2013.
She also had roles in The Syndicate, and most-recently Hollyoaks.
Jack O’Connell
Dale Baxter
Jack O’Connell / Credit: BBC
Jack O’Connell was most-known to TV audiences for his role as the larger-than-life, fan-favourite character of Cook in the second generation of E4 teen drama Skins between 2009-2013, and for his role in the cult-classic 2006 film This Is England, before going on to star in a range of critically-acclaimed films and series’ and Hollywood blockbusters in recent years.
ADVERTISEMENT
Before all of that though, he played the role of Dale Baxter in a single episode of Waterloo Road in 2007.
Matty Healy may be the son of northern actors Tim Healy and Denise Welch, and is of course most-known for entertaining crowds as the frontman of Manchester-based indie pop rock band The 1975 – who have garnered critical acclaim, several chart-topping albums, multiple awards, and a worldwide fan base since hitting the mainstream back in 2012 – but he’s even been spotted as making a couple of appearances as an extra in earlier series’ of Waterloo Road.
The reason for his role as an extra on the BBC drama is likely due to his mum starring as long-standing French teacher Steph Haydock on the show for six series between 2006-2010.
Featured Image – BBC
Trending
Pep Guardiola delivers important reminder about multiculturalism after Jim Ratcliffe controversy
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered an important message about the power of multiculturalism in his most recent press conference.
Guardiola’s comments come after the high-profile controversy surrounding his rival club across the city, Man United, whose co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, saw some of his recent remarks fall under major scrutiny.
In case you somehow missed it, the Failsworth-born British billionaire was heavily criticised after claiming he believes the UK has been “colonised by immigrants”.
Fast forward a couple of days, and while the club and the fan base are still dealing with the fallout of the story, Pep acknowledged the debate by reminding people that “embracing other cultures” makes for a “better society”.
Well put, Pep – in fact, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Although he didn’t reference the 74-year-old directly after being probed on the subject by journalists, the Man City boss reiterated that his time spent living and working across the world has only broadened his mind and enriched his life.
That goes for both his professional and personal spheres, by the way, as the Catalan coach has often spoken of his love for English culture and the Manc people, specifically.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup game against local side Salford City, Pep described the attitudes towards immigrants around the world as a “big problem” despite most people simply leaving their country in search of “a better life”.
He also drew attention to the fact that he, like so many others in football – a sporting industry loved the world round by people from all walks of life and that the likes of Ratcliffe directly benefit from – is an immigrant working and contributing to not just the game but the British economy by being here.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have since shared a public statement on their club website and across social media, reiterating to fans and supporters the world over that they are an “inclusive club”.
‘We will continue to represent our people, our city and our fans with purpose and pride.’
The INEOS chairman, CEO and minority stakeholder in Manchester United Football Club, has since apologised (at least in part) for his “choice of language” following the divisive interview with Sky News.
In a world where plenty of people are quick to pessimism, negativity and turn to division almost by default, Pep’s message is one echoed by so many and is one that we should all keep in mind.
And for anyone who needs a more light-hearted bit of content on their timeline this week, here’s what else Pep said in his pre-match presser…
Pep Guardiola responding to a really intelligent question from a reporter:
‘Do you want to be my assistant coach, fucking hell, you are brilliant…’
Featured Images — Hayters TV (screenshot via YouTube)
Trending
Chester Zoo becomes first UK zoo to gain important international status
Danny Jones
The North West’s beloved Chester Zoo has been awarded a highly coveted global status, being named as the first international botanical garden in the entire UK.
With so many well-deserved awards, accolades and plaudits from within the world of wildlife preservation over the year, it’s no surprise.
A gem in Cheshire and the wider region’s crown, which continues to express its extreme commitment to ecological and environmental causes year in and year out, Chester Zoo is regularly ranked the best in the country and one of the top facilities in all of Europe, and now its worldwide reputation is growing too.
Taking its already sterling CV one further this year, 2026 marks the inaugural year of not only Chester Zoo existing as a recognised international botanical garden, but a big moment for Great Britain’s conservation status in general, as it’s been over 150 years since it last held the status.
Writing on social media in response to the huge honour, they wrote: “We’re officially the FIRST UK zoo recognised as a globally important botanic garden!
“We care for hundreds of rare plants, protect species at risk of extinction, and create beautiful gardens that encourage visitors to slow down and connect with nature.
“Global plant conservation organisation [Botanic Gardens Conservation International] assessed us against 22 criteria before awarding us Conservation Practitioner status – a recognition that now lets us do even more to protect native wildlife alongside our incredible conservation partners!”
Incredible stuff.
They signed off by adding that their efforts are “all made possible by YOU”, with 2025 marking an all-around groundbreaking year for the venue, as a total of 2,136,224 visitors came through the gates to surpass their previous record tally back in 2019 (2,086,785).
BGCI’s awarding of Conservation Practitioner is yet more proof of just how much work Chester Zoo does throughout the annual calendar, not least of all the incredible fundraising they do via various activations like their hugely successful charity run.
They signed off by adding that their efforts are “all made possible by YOU”, with 2025 marking an all-around groundbreaking year for the venue, as a total of 2,136,224 individuals came through the gates to surpass their previous record tally back in 2019 (2,086,785).
Speaking directly on the watershed moment, the zoo’s head of plants, Philip Esseen, said in an official press release: “This recognition shows that our plant work has real conservation value.
“We’re caring for species that are threatened with extinction in the wild, and that carries a responsibility to protect them, propagate them and share our expertise with others.
“The accreditation will help us work more closely with other horticultural and conservation organisations and increase the amount of conservation work we can do, particularly to support native species.”
Congratulations once again to Chester Zoo on such a significant achievement, and with around 10k people visiting each day – be that staff, field-expert guests or visitors – the proof is in the pudding: it really is the best in Britain doing some of the most vital work possible.
The UK has lost half of it's hedgehogs in the last 20 years, so here's 3 simple things you can do to make your garden a hedgehog haven 👇
🏡 Create a cosy hideout – piles of leaves, logs, or a hedgehog house give them a safe spot to rest Make a hedgehog highway – leave a…
Emily Sergeant -
3rd January 2023 
