Filming gets underway next month in Manchester on two new series of school-set drama Waterloo Road, with a production training scheme once again in place for industry newcomers. 

Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North co-produce the show with the two new runs (S4 and 5 of the revived version, and S14 and 15 of the drama overall) each comprising 8 x 60’ episodes. 

As with the previous runs of the rebooted iteration of the show, key roles will also be cast during open auditions at schools and youth clubs.

The team is also offering workshops and production training schemes for those wishing to break into production, with the aim of boosting skilled staff in the north of England. 

So far 20 trainees have gained entry-level, paid work in the industry via six-month placements on Waterloo Road since the start of 2022, across departments including costume, art direction, post-production, camera and sound. A further eight trainees will join the series when filming begins next month. 

Lindsay Williams is the series producer; Adam Leatherland and Nasreen Ahmed produce and Si Wall is story producer. Waterloo Road is executive produced by Cameron Roach for Rope Ladder Fiction, Leanne Klein for Wall To Wall, and Gaynor Holmes and Jo McClellan for the BBC.

Roach said of the recommissioning news: “We’re beyond thrilled with the triumphant return of Waterloo Road, and so thankful to the BBC for committing to the show so fully. 

“We love that the show has the potential not only to be a crown jewel for BBC iPlayer, but also serve as a true beacon for training, and inspiring next generation talent. In addition to our open auditions and full-time production trainee placements for industry newcomers, our workshops across Greater Manchester this summer for 14-16 year olds, in partnership with BBC Young Reporter, have truly demonstrated the infectious power of this show.”

Image via BBC Media Centre.