Have you heard that the iconic BBC drama Waterloo Road is returning to our screens?
Waterloo Road originally aired from 2006 to 2015, and was one of the UK’s longest-running TV contemporary dramas – going on to launch the careers of many young and emerging actors, spawn plenty award-winning and highly-publicised storylines, draw in millions of viewers each week, and amass a cult-following of fans.
The show has consistently ranked among the top five most-watched shows for young audiences on the BBC iPlayer.
Set in a comprehensive school of the same name, Waterloo Road was famously set and filmed in Rochdale from series one until the end of series seven, before moving to the Scottish town of Greenock until the end of the show.
But, back in September, the BBC announced that the show would be rebooted and make a return to our TV screens.
With the spotlight on education in the UK now more intense than ever before, and with awareness of the challenges that teachers, parents and pupils face more pronounced amid the ongoing COVID pandemic, the BBC says Waterloo Road will use its rich history of “telling entertaining and gripping human stories”, while “tackling the important issues of the day”.
Waterloo Road originally aired from 2006 to 2015, and was one of the UK’s longest-running TV contemporary dramas / Credit: BBC & Shed Media
The BBC also says the revival of Waterloo Road will boost drama production skills in the North of England, with production for the show will take place right here in Greater Manchester.
“Waterloo Road will continue its reputation for kickstarting, supporting and enabling careers both in front of and behind the camera, in a truly inclusive way, from our base in Greater Manchester,” explained Executive Producer, Cameron Roach.
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Early next year, Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall Media will be establishing a major production base in the region, and alongside the production, they will also be starting a new ‘Production Development Trainee Scheme’, which aims to inspire and encourage “a new generation of talent” for the sector.
With the support and assistance of Screen Manchester, the six-month paid programme – which begins in February 2022 – will give eight people the Greater Manchester area the broadcast industry experience needing to access careers in the creative sector.
The show has consistently ranked among the top five most-watched shows for young audiences on the BBC iPlayer / Credit: BBC
The available trainee roles will cover key scripted departments across the drama – including production, sound, camera, make-up, costume, electrical, locations, art department, and music supervision – to allow the trainees an insight into the production process more broadly.
“Through production of Waterloo Road, we want to open doors and create valuable career opportunities for aspiring behind-the-scenes talent, and we look forward to unearthing the next generation of crew in the north on such an exciting and large-scale drama production in Greater Manchester,” explained Leanne Klein – Managing Director of Wall to Wall Media.
If you’re looking to be a part of the revival of Waterloo Road right here in Greater Manchester, then trainees will be required to work 11-hour days and must be able to commit to the six month engagement.
The production base will be in Salford, and the roles are seeking passionate, hardworking individuals who are keen to learn and take on responsibility on a working production.
Coronation Street and Emmerdale cancel filming after news of cutbacks and reduced schedule
Danny Jones
Coronation Street and Emmerdale production crews are said to have cancelled at least one day of filming this week following news of more cutbacks and a reduced schedule of programming.
The beloved British soaps have been up against it for some time now, with viewing figures and costs struggling at both ends of the spectrum, and the latest development doesn’t spell great news for the cast and crew, not to mention audiences.
According to Digital Spy, regularly scheduled filming was due to take place in Manchester and Leeds on Tuesday, 5 February, with each show shooting roughly six to eight weeks in advance of storylines.
However, following reports of more hits to the industry and the latest steps ITV, specifically, which will see fewer episodes of both Corrie and Emmerdale air each week, film crews are said to have been stood down as they await further updates.
Part of the Coronation Street set over in Salford Quays. (Credit: The Manc Group)
Announcing steps at the start of February, ITV confirmed that Coronation Street and Emmerdale are to see their content cut by an hour a week between them from next year.
While Corrie currently broadcasts three hour-long episodes per week and Emmerdale four half-hour episodes plus one full-hour instalment, the new slate will see both soaps dial back to only air 30-minute episodes, with a so-called ‘soaps power hour’ every both shows at 8pm and 8:30pm.
Put in simplest terms, viewers will have half an hour less of their regular soaps to watch overall each week but with episodes airing at more regular intervals, which the network claims is “viewer-led” and will allow fans to enjoy the shows “in the most digestible way.”
Metro writer Duncan Lindsay has labelled the decision as a tough one to make but something that could ultimately “save” the two long-standing soap operas in the long run.
On the other hand, this obviously means a big chunk of work being lost for those working on sets across the board, with ITV having already taken steps to cut costs ever since the pandemic, and the UK’s viewing public has given mixed reactions, to say the least.
The hour of scripted content saved from the overdue cut to Corrie and Emmerdale should be pumped into a new continuing drama. It’s the only way to justify the loss to the industry.
With an increased focus on streaming and making both shows more accessible, episodes will continue to be released from 7am on ITVX before airing on live telly later that evening.
Responding to the changes, the performing arts union Equity admitted that the steps do cause “further cause for concern”, especially following the cancellation of other soaps like Doctors and Hollyoaks also having recently seen its schedule adjusted.
Meanwhile, there still remains a loyal and passionate viewership for both iconic UK shows and Corrie, in particular, notched yet another award for best soap/continuing drama at the 2025 Broadcast Awards.
Cast and crews are understood to have paused filming just for the day to address the situation and inform everyone working on the Coronation Street and Weatherfield sets, and we sincerely hope they’re back up and running as per usual.
What do you make of the cutbacks – is it a bittersweet step that could help freshen up the format and sustain it for years to come, or are you just gutted that the end result is simply less telly each week?
An incredible performance of Marvel’s ‘Infinity Saga’ by a live orchestra is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
If you’re a massive Marvel fan or just love the full body, sweeping sound of a live orchestra, then this one is for you, as an audio-visual concert experience of the ‘Infinity Saga’ is coming to Manchester.
‘AVENGERS!… Assemble…’
Whatever you make of superhero films and TV, one thing that never comes into question in these titles is the music: it’s always powerful, uplifting, moving, sometimes chilling and the absolute epitome of what it is to sound cinematic.
That being said, there is no bigger movie franchise on the planet than the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and now you can witness the awe-inspiring soundtracks behind their 23-film collection of films played in person by the Novello Orchestra right here in our hometown.
After first debuting back in August 2024 at a sell-out Hollywood Bowl – which saw the Los Angeles Philharmonic Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel bring the iconic scores to life on stage in front of thousands of movie and music fans – the comic book characters are superhero-landing in Europe.
Better yet, 2025 also marks the debut UK tour of Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga Concert Experience, with just six lucky cities being selected to enjoy the show; two London shows have been announced along with two in Scotland, but you can bank on Manchester being the best. It always is.
Set to take place at the veritable entertainment institution that is the beautiful Bridgewater Hall for just one night only, audiences will be treated to movie scores from The Avengers, Iron Man, Black Panther, Black Widow, Thor, Captain America, Captain Marvel, The Incredible Hulk, Ant-Man and MANY more.
Showcasing original compositions by the likes of Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman, Ludwig Göransson, Michael Giacchino, Ramin Djawadi and several other classical experts who have created unforgettable cinematic soundscapes, it promises to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
Here’s just a glimpse of what you can expect:
The best audio-visual moments in Marvel history performed by a live orchestra in Manchester – it’s a sci-fi/fantasy fan’s dream.
Officially licensed Disney Concerts and in full collaboration with Marvel Studios’ live experiences team, the Hall will get to enjoy a unique way of not just rewatching but truly reliving some of the most legendary sequences and sounds from all 23 films in the MCU’s unparalleled Infinity Saga.
Without giving too much away, we think it’s fair to say you can expect the performance to culminate in one of the best movie moments and all-time greatest live cinema experiences: Marvel’s magnum opus and conclusion to the saga, Endgame — it feels strange to think that was 2019 by the way.
The Infinity Saga Concert Experience comes to Manchester on 8 June and tickets will be available from 10am this Friday, 7 February. You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
Videogame fans can expect a similar live score experience coming to another magical venue later this year too.