Jason Manford is not enough to revive the ailing Waterloo Road
If you've been following Waterloo Road for as long as I have, you probably anticipate a little chaos on the first day of each new term. This holds true as we kick off the 14th series, where the new acting headteacher, Joe Casey (played by James Baxter), finds himself dealing with a student being wheeled down the street in a cart full of stolen groceries, alongside a massive food fight erupting in front of the school's new building. "The students will definitely be on their best behavior initially," he had been assured.
No parent would willingly send their child to a school as chaotic as Waterloo Road. The show began in 2006 in Rochdale, where it aired for seven seasons before unexpectedly relocating to Scotland in 2012 for three additional seasons. Despite its oddities, the series has consistently portrayed relatable characters and storylines that resonate with viewers, making it highly engaging, even if some aspects stretch believability. This is what contributed to its surprising popularity during lockdown, ultimately leading to its revival last year, which brought the story back to Greater Manchester. Now, it has transitioned once again to a new school setting.
All these changes seem intended to create a sense of novelty, but it feels like they might be running out of options at this point. The teacher-student storylines have become tiresome and predictable, even with the notable addition of comedian and Waterloo Road superfan Jason Manford as headteacher Steve Savage. Unfortunately, he quickly makes a mess of his first day and resigns. While Manford is typically humorous, his character here takes on a serious tone that doesn’t quite fit him, and his charming personality gets overshadowed. He doesn’t succeed in revitalizing the show in the way that I—and likely the producers too—had hoped for.
In the previous season, beloved character Kim Campbell, played by Angela Griffin, got engaged, left her job as headteacher, and discovered student Weever trapped in the trunk of his abusive father’s car. This episode continues Weever's story, showing him trying to earn £40 by selling stolen eggs and doughnuts. He's hoping to use the money to reunite with his sister Portia in their uncle’s caravan after they were separated when they entered the care system.
In the meantime, history teacher Neil Gunthrie (played by Neil Fitzmaurice) finds himself suspended after he had to physically intervene with notorious troublemaker Dean Weaver (portrayed by Francesco Piacentini-Smith) during a brawl in the cafeteria. This commotion was sparked by Dean's online harassment of Neil's daughter, Libby (played by Hattie Dynevor). The plot twists are quite intense and may seem exaggerated for just one school day, yet, true to the spirit of Waterloo Road, the episode addresses relevant and pressing topics.
Along with Libby's distress over cyberbullying, a feeling that will definitely connect with teenagers, and Weever's disdain for being in foster care, teacher Amy Spratt is facing financial difficulties after clearing her student loan. She's forced to sell her car and take on a part-time job in the evenings. The young actors do a commendable job tackling these tough subjects, but the show lacks new perspectives, making it feel more like a community service announcement rather than a gripping watch.
Waterloo Road stands out as one of the rare shows that tackles important topics affecting young people, such as the negative effects of social media and the challenges of living expenses, which many other programs often ignore. However, it’s unclear who the intended audience for this drama really is. It seems to play it too safe to resonate with teenagers, especially when compared to shows like Sex Education or Heartstopper. At the same time, it also appears too simplistic for adult viewers. As a 22-year-old watching it, I find myself caught in between and feeling disconnected from the content.
You can watch Waterloo Road on BBC iPlayer.
