Waterloo Road poised to return in January

The new series of 'Waterloo Road' will premiere in January.

The BBC has confirmed that the hit drama series - which is set in a comprehensive school of the same name - will make its long-awaited return to TV screens early next year.

The show last aired in March 2015, but was recommissioned for an eleventh series in September 2021.

The cast will include Angela Griffin, Adam Thomas, Katie Griffiths, Kym Marsh, Vincent Jerome, James Baxter, Jo Coffey, Shauna Shim, Neil Fitzmaurice, Rachel Leskovac, Katherine Pearce, Ryan Clayton and Sonia Ibrahim.

The series will open with a dramatic storyline, as a peaceful protest turns into a school riot, with the incident having huge ramifications for everyone involved.

The teachers and parents also find themselves having to navigate a rapidly changing social landscape, with the show exploring issues such as teen homelessness, racism, sexism and mental health.

Earlier this year, Angela Griffin teased details about the new series of 'Waterloo Road'.

The 46-year-old actress - who plays headteacher Kim Campbell - revealed that her on-screen character will be a "different person" when she returns to TV screens.

Angela shared: "What’s happened to Kim in the last six years? You’ll have to wait to find out when it comes back.

"She’s a different person, definitely, things have happened and it all comes out when we come back."

Angela also revealed that the show's writers have created some "amazing storylines".

She said: "I feel really honoured to be joining the new series of 'Waterloo Road'. It is exciting to be stepping back into Kim’s shoes and I can’t wait to explore her life, character and how she has evolved since we last met her.

"The writers have some amazing storylines planned and I’m looking forward to welcoming viewers back to 'Waterloo Road'."