The fate of BBC One's Waterloo Road has been revealed after it received a mixture of reviews following its epic comeback.
The show was originally axed in 2015, but following a revival in audiences during the first COVID lockdown, it returned to screens following an eight-year break in 2023.
The secondary school-set show first aired in 2006 and won legions of fans by tackling numerous tough issues over its 200-episode run.
It has now been reported the famed TV show is being renewed for a further two series.
And after the show had a double recommission last year, it means four new series are on the way.
The fate of BBC One's Waterloo Road has been revealed after it received a mixture of reviews following its epic comeback
The show was originally axed in 2015, but following a revival in audiences during the first COVID lockdown, it returned to screens following an eight-year break in 2023
The 14th series, which is expected to air later this year, will see newbie Jason Manford star as headteacher Steve Savage.
It poses questions amongst fans to what will happen to the school's current head Kim Campbell (Angela Griffin).
On his new role, Jason said: 'What an absolute treat it is to join the cast and crew of Waterloo Road, right here in my home city of Manchester.
'My kids and I binged the show on iPlayer during lockdown. It's such a brilliant, iconic show, so I'm dead proud to now be part of its history. Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher and now becoming a headteacher, I know I would have been terrible!'
Cameron Roach, Executive Producer of Waterloo Road and Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction, added: 'We're thrilled that Jason Manford is joining Waterloo Road, as the show returns for a fourth series since returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
'Jason is a phenomenal comic actor, and has fully embraced the tone and spirit of the show, we can't wait for the audience to meet Steve Savage and his son Billy.
'As with all of our adult cast, Jason has been an inspiring and approachable mentor to our younger cast and crew; we love that a new generation of Northern talent are able to learn their craft alongside brilliant household names.
'The legacy of Waterloo Road goes from strength to strength'.
It has now been reported the famed TV show is being renewed for a further two series
The 14th series, which is expected to air later this year, will see newbie Jason Manford star as headteacher Steve Savage
It poses questions amongst fans to what will happen to the school's current head Kim Campbell (Angela Griffin pictured)
Adam Thomas, who plays Donte Charles, and Kym Marsh, who stars as Nicky Walters, will also be making a return to the series
Adam Thomas, who plays Donte Charles, and Kym Marsh, who stars as Nicky Walters, will also be making a return to the series.
The show, based once again around a high school (link webpage) in Greater Manchester, tells the stories of the challenges experienced by teachers, parents and pupils.
It also highlights the problems that teenagers face today, including the cost-of-living crisis, navigating being LGBTQ+, racism, sexism and mental health.
In it's initial return, it tackled the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on school kids.
The gritty show - which was written by the creators of ITV prison drama Bad Girls - was originally set in Rochdale but later series saw a relocation to Greenock, Scotland.
TV content
The show was originally axed in 2015, but following a revival in audiences during the first COVID lockdown, it returned to screens following an eight-year break in 2023.
The secondary school-set show first aired in 2006 and won legions of fans by tackling numerous tough issues over its 200-episode run.
It has now been reported the famed TV show is being renewed for a further two series.
And after the show had a double recommission last year, it means four new series are on the way.
The fate of BBC One's Waterloo Road has been revealed after it received a mixture of reviews following its epic comeback
The show was originally axed in 2015, but following a revival in audiences during the first COVID lockdown, it returned to screens following an eight-year break in 2023
The 14th series, which is expected to air later this year, will see newbie Jason Manford star as headteacher Steve Savage.
It poses questions amongst fans to what will happen to the school's current head Kim Campbell (Angela Griffin).
On his new role, Jason said: 'What an absolute treat it is to join the cast and crew of Waterloo Road, right here in my home city of Manchester.
'My kids and I binged the show on iPlayer during lockdown. It's such a brilliant, iconic show, so I'm dead proud to now be part of its history. Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher and now becoming a headteacher, I know I would have been terrible!'
Cameron Roach, Executive Producer of Waterloo Road and Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction, added: 'We're thrilled that Jason Manford is joining Waterloo Road, as the show returns for a fourth series since returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
'Jason is a phenomenal comic actor, and has fully embraced the tone and spirit of the show, we can't wait for the audience to meet Steve Savage and his son Billy.
'As with all of our adult cast, Jason has been an inspiring and approachable mentor to our younger cast and crew; we love that a new generation of Northern talent are able to learn their craft alongside brilliant household names.
'The legacy of Waterloo Road goes from strength to strength'.
It has now been reported the famed TV show is being renewed for a further two series
The 14th series, which is expected to air later this year, will see newbie Jason Manford star as headteacher Steve Savage
It poses questions amongst fans to what will happen to the school's current head Kim Campbell (Angela Griffin pictured)
Adam Thomas, who plays Donte Charles, and Kym Marsh, who stars as Nicky Walters, will also be making a return to the series
Adam Thomas, who plays Donte Charles, and Kym Marsh, who stars as Nicky Walters, will also be making a return to the series.
The show, based once again around a high school (link webpage) in Greater Manchester, tells the stories of the challenges experienced by teachers, parents and pupils.
It also highlights the problems that teenagers face today, including the cost-of-living crisis, navigating being LGBTQ+, racism, sexism and mental health.
In it's initial return, it tackled the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on school kids.
The gritty show - which was written by the creators of ITV prison drama Bad Girls - was originally set in Rochdale but later series saw a relocation to Greenock, Scotland.
TV content