Waterloo Road - Season 8 - Eps 1: New Beginnings
[15] Ann McManus and Eileen Gallagher Paul Murphy 23 August 2012 [16] As the new Waterloo Road school opens in Scotland headteacher Michael Byrne has his work cut out dealing with a couple of runaway teens and a burgeoning rivalry with a local headmaster. On the run from a foster home, teenager Jade shares a squat with her controlling boyfriend Drew but dreams of a better life. She announces that she’s going to school at Waterloo Road and despite his fear the authorities will find out about them, Drew is persuaded to enroll too. Michael and Sian arrive at the new Waterloo Road. The local press reaction to the school has been largely positive, except one story reporting discontent from Gerard Findlay, headmaster of rival school Havelock High, who claims Waterloo Road are stealing his pupils. The school is buzzing as Jade and Drew arrive. Despite not being registered at Waterloo Road Drew uses his charisma to win Lorraine over – but it’s not long before Tom sees an angry side to the new boy. When Michael offers Jade, but not Drew, accommodation in the school house, Drew reacts angrily, forcing his girlfriend to reveal a secret which will have far-reaching consequences for the pair. In the staffroom, new teachers Christine Mulgrew and Audrey McFall introduce themselves to Waterloo Road’s familiar faces. Not everyone is enthusiastic about the new school and Tom bemoans Michael’s regime. But English teacher Christine doesn’t seem keen to be drawn into any staff discussions, keeping herself to herself. It’s only when Grantly suggests the teaching team go for a drink after school that Christine’s interest is spiked. Elsewhere, Tariq struggles to adjust to his new life as a paraplegic and Rhiannon starts a bullying campaign against Scout.
About Waterloo Road

Title: Waterloo Road
First Air Date: 2006-03-09
Last Air Date: 2025-03-25
Status: Returning Series
Rating: 7.2/10 (from 26 votes)
Language: EN
Seasons: 16
Total Episodes: 238
Network: BBC One
Genres: Drama
Production Companies: Shed Productions, Wall to Wall, Rope Ladder Fiction, BBC
Synopsis
Waterloo Road is a UK television drama series the first broadcast was in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 9 March 2006. Originally set in a troubled comprehensive school in Rochdale, England, the location of the show was moved to the former Greenock Academy in Greenock, Scotland in 2012. The series focuses on the lives of the school's teachers and students, and confronts social issues such as extramarital affairs, abortion, divorce, child abuse, and suicide. Waterloo Road is produced by Shed Productions, the company responsible for Bad Girls and Footballers' Wives.
Cast

Adam Thomas
Donte Charles

Neil Fitzmaurice
Neil Guthrie

Shauna Shim
Valerie Chambers

Rachel Leskovac
Coral Walker

Katherine Pearce
Amy Spratt

Jo Coffey
Wendy Whitwell

Kym Marsh
Nicky Walters

Liam Scholes
Noel McManus

Summer Violet Bird
Tonya Walters

Thapelo Ray
Dwayne Jackson