Lindsey Coulson joins Waterloo Road as the new headteacher
She will join the series in 2025
Following the series 14 finale airing on Tuesday 29th October, BBC bosses have announced that legendary actress Lindsey Coulson has joined hit drama Waterloo Road as the school's brand new headteacher.
Lindsey, who is best known for her portrayal of Carol Jackson in BBC soap EastEnders, will take over from Jason Manford as the head of Waterloo Road, playing the role of Dame Stella Drake.
Making her debut on the show next year during series 15, Lindsey's character will attempt to rebuild the school following the downfall of previous headteacher Steve Savage.
Lindsey Coulson says: “I’m delighted to be joining Waterloo Road as the new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake. It’s a role I haven’t played before so I’m really enjoying peeling back the layers of who Stella is and seeing how the teachers and students react to her no-nonsense approach. Waterloo Road tackles social issues head on which is so important to see on television and this series will be no different.”
Setting the scene for Lindsey's arrival, the BBC say: 'Once at the top of the Ofsted ranks, Dame Stella found herself knocked off her pedestal thanks to her cutting words about parental incompetence going viral, but her uncompromising work ethic, strict moral compass and no nonsense approach makes her the perfect candidate to reform Waterloo Road.
'Stella joins the school as the students become increasingly unruly following the effects of last term and she soon feels out of date as she clashes with the school’s modern pastoral approach. Her unfiltered honesty is both endearing and abrasive. She tells it as it is and while her intent is to inspire positive change, her methods can sometimes ruffle feathers. Stella might have the students best interests at heart but soon her personal life spills over into the professional and fans will be left wondering what skeletons she could be hiding?'
Cameron Roach, Executive Producer of Waterloo Road and Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction, says: “We're really thrilled that Lindsey Coulson is joining Waterloo Road, she has absolutely embraced the spirit and ethos of the show, and she completely inhabits the role of Dame Stella Drake, we can't wait for the audience to meet her. The fact that the show has attracted an actor of Lindsey's calibre is testament to the continued ambition and commitment from our writing and story teams, as well as our brilliant cast and crew.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: "It's a real honour to have an actor of Lindsey Coulson's calibre take the reins at Waterloo Road. Dame Stella Drake is a force to be reckoned with, and we know fans of all ages are going to love watching her."
Series 14 of Waterloo Road concluded on Tuesday 29th October, showing Jason Manford's last scenes as head teacher Mr Savage.
The most recent series saw Mr Savage's cover for his son Billy following the murder of fellow student Boz Osbourne. Unable to deal with the guilt, Billy confessed, with his dad's secret catching up with him.
When is Waterloo Road back on TV?
Although there's no official start date for series 15 of Waterloo Road, bosses have confirmed it will return in 2025.
Earlier this year, BBC bosses also announced the show had been renewed for two future series, meaning the show will run until at least 2026.
Check out which other TV shows we can't wait for the return of:
I'm A Celeb
It is the show we all look forward to towards the end of the year, and this year is no different! Ant and Dec are set to head over to Australia alongside more brave celebs for the 2024 series of I'm A Celeb. The popular entertainment show kicks off on Sunday 17th November.
Gavin & Stacey
Five years after THAT cliffhanger ending of the last Gavin & Stacey Christmas special, Ruth Jones and James Corden have now confirmed they've written another Christmas special for 2024! Sharing the news in May, the pair confirmed the brand new episode will air on Christmas Day.
Outnumbered
BBC bosses confirmed in May that award-winning comedy Outnumbered will return for a brand new Christmas special in 2024! The original cast Hugh Dennis, Claire Skinner, Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez will all reprise their roles. The special is expected to air on Christmas Day.
Squid Game
Another roaring Netflix success, Squid Game had us all hooked when it was released in 2021. Breaking records and topping streaming charts, the show proved incredibly popular and after THAT ending, left us all wanting more.
Show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed that season two is officially happening, and now the third and final season has been announced for 2025. In July 2024, Netflix bosses confirmed series two will land on 26th December 2024.
Missing You
Following the success of Fool Me Once in January 2024, Netflix were quick to announce they were adapting two more Harlan Coben books. The first one to land is Missing You, with bosses now revealing it will be available to stream on 1st January 2025.
The Traitors
Following that tense final of The Traitors series two earlier this year, fans cannot wait for the return of the show, with series three expected in early 2024. In August 2024, BBC bosses also announced the show had been renewed for a fourth series, with filming set to begin in 2025.
The Night Agent
After series one was Netflix's most-watched show of 2023, bosses were quick to commission The Night Agent for a second series! Netflix have now announced series two will land on Thursday 23rd January 2025. The show has also now been renewed for a third series.
Gladiators
Following the hugely successful first series, BBC bosses were quick to announce Gladiators had been commissioned for a second series! Although there's no official start date, filming took place in August, which also included a celebrity special!
Dancing On Ice
Stephen Mulhern and Holly Willoughby are set to return in early 2025 for a brand new series of Dancing On Ice, with a whole new bunch of celebs signing up to take part in the show.
Stranger Things
Netflix bosses confirmed in January 2023 that the fifth and final series of Stranger Things had officially started production! Despite this, there's still no word yet on a release date.
Celebrity Big Brother
Following the first rebooted series in 2024, which welcomed celebs such as Louis Walsh, Sharon Osbourne and David Potts, it was confirmed that Celebrity Big Brother will be returning for another season in 2025!
Hijack
Following series one back in June 2023, Apple TV bosses have now confirmed Idris Elba will return for a second series of Hijack! No plot or start date has been announced just yet, but reports are rife that production will begin soon.
Unforgotten
Following the tense ending to series five in April 2023, ITV/STV bosses were quick to reveal drama series Unforgotten had been commissioned for a sixth series. Filming started in March 2024, so we imagine the new episodes could land later in the year.
Black Mirror
In March 2024, Netflix bosses revealed a seventh series of Black Mirror will land in 2025, with one of the episodes set to be a sequel to series four episode USS Callister. No official date has been announced just yet.
The Bay
ITV/STV drama The Bay was immediately renewed for a fifth series, following the fourth in 2023. Marsha Thomason is set to reprise her role as DS Jenn Townsend. Although there's no start date just yet, filming wrapped in July 2024.
Race Across The World
Series four of Race Across The World was one of the BBC's most popular shows of the year, and they were quick to renew the show for a fifth series. With applications closing in May this year, we suspect the show will air around Spring 2025.
Clarkson's Farm
Following three amazing series, Prime Video confirmed a fourth series was in the works in 2024, with it due to land in 2025. As if that wasn't enough, Jeremy has now confirmed series five is in production!
Love Is Blind: UK
Following the successful first series of Love Is Blind: UK, with hosts Matt and Emma Willis, Netflix have now confirmed the series has been renewed for a second instalment! Applications are open now, with series two set to air in 2025.
Red Eye
ITV/STV crime drama Red Eye become one of the station's biggest shows in 2024, so it's no surprise it was commissioned for a second series. Filming is due to begin in 2025, but there's no word on any release date just yet.
Mrs Brown's Boys
The popular controversial comedy Mrs Brown's Boys is returning for a fifth season! The show made its almighty return to screens in 2023, with fans delighted at the news that not only do we have some festive specials on the way - but a brand new mini series coming our way - with filming set to begin in 2025.
Emily In Paris
That's right, after things got pretty interesting for Emily Cooper as we saw her set up camp in Rome, starring actress Lily Collins answered our prayers as she confirmed that a fifth season is officially on the way - with fans taking it upon themselves to dub the season 'Emily In Rome'.
Trigger Point
Following two successful series, ITV/STV bosses announced in October 2024 that they'd commissioned Trigger Point for a third series, with production set to begin in London in 2025. Vicky McClure will reprise her role as bomb disposal operative Lana Washington, with series three expected to air sometime in early 2026.
Nobody Wants This
It was one of the most popular rom-coms of 2024, so it's no surprise Netflix bosses were quick to renew Nobody Wants This, starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell. Although there's no exact release date for series two just yet, we suspect it will be sometime in 2025.
Whilst we await the new series in 2025, series 1-14 of Waterloo Road are available on BBC iPlayer now.
Now read:
Waterloo Road renewed for two further series taking it to 2026
Here's what the original Waterloo Road cast are up to now
Waterloo Road's newest member has a VERY famous mum and sister