Waterloo Road is back for a 17th season – and there’s lot of new faces at school.
This school year, new deputy, Darius Donavan “holds the keys to the kingdom – but how far will he go to hold on to that power?”
Premiering on Tuesday 6th January, the new series is set to explore topics including hearing impairment management at schools, young love, exploitation, grief, and addiction, as well as a grooming storyline which the BBC worked with the NSPCC on. The story involves a popular student and new villain – played by Emmerdale’s Karl Davies.
As the series returns, read on for everything you need to know about the cast – including the returning characters and new faces.
Waterloo Road full season 17 cast list
The returning parent and teacher cast includes:
- Adam Thomas as Donte Charles
- Christopher Jeffers as Mitch Swift
- Hollie-Jay Bowes as Debs Rafferty
- James Baxter as Joe Casey
- Jason Merrells as Jack Rimmer
- Jon Richardson as Darius Donovan
- Jo Coffey as Wendy Whitwell
- Kym Marsh as Nicky Walters
- Lindsey Coulson as Dame Stella Drake
- Neil Fitzmaurice as Neil Guthrie
- Rachel Leskovac as Coral Walker
- Shauna Shim as Valerie Chambers
- Saira Jackson as Nisha Chandra
- Denish Welch as Steph Haydock
The returning student cast includes:
- Aabay Noor Ali as Mollie “Mog” Richardson
- Cory McClane as Ashton Stone
- Chiamaka as ChiChi
- Ulebor as Shola Aku
- Danny Murphy as Luca Smith
- Hattie Dynevor as Libby Guthrie
- Liam Scholes as Noel McManus
- Lucy Chambers as Cat Guthrie
- Maisey Robinson as Portia Weever
- Miya Ocego as Lois Taylor-Brown
- Niamh Blackshaw as Agnes Eccleston
- Scarlett Thomas as Izzy Charles
- Sonya Nisa as Aleena Qureshi
- Summer Violet Bird as Tonya Walters
- Tillie Amartey as Stacey “Stace” Neville
- Zak Sutcliffe as “Schuey” Weever
New student cast:
- Freddy Smith as Freddie Hollister
- Olivia Booth-Ford as Leoni Tennant
- Myra-Sofia Iftikhar as Aisha Azzi
- Sana Ali as Badr Azzi
- Isha Kaur as Harleen Lamba
For more on the cast, keep scrolling.
Waterloo Road returning cast
Denise Welch as Steph Haydock
BBC
Who is Steph Haydock? Haydock is a supply teacher at Waterloo Road school.
What else has Denise Welch been in? Welch starred in the BBC One series between the first and sixth season, before returning for the 17th series. Her other TV credits include Coronation Street, Soldier Soldier, Spender and Hollyoaks.
Jon Richardson as Darius Donovan
BBC
Who is Darius Donovan? Darius Donovan joined the show for season 16 as a new media teacher. This season he’ll step into a new role as the school’s deputy head.
What else has Jon Richardson been in? Actor and comedian Richardson is known for his appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, as well as his work as co-host with Russell Howard on BBC Radio 6 Music. He previously starred as a fictionalised version of himself in Meet the Richardsons, alongside his ex-wife Lucy Beaumont.
Related Stories
Kym Marsh as Nicky Walters
BBC
Who is Nicky Walters? Nicky was the head of catering services at Waterloo Road school. However at the start of season 16, she left to complete a training course and returns as the school’s new behavioural lead for season 17. She was previously married to Anthony Walters and they are parents to Tonya Walters, who is a student at the school.
What else has Kym Marsh been in? Kym Marsh is perhaps best known for being part of the band Hear’Say, which was formed on the reality TV series Popstars. From 2006 to 2019, she portrayed Michelle Connor on ITV soap Coronation Street.
Karl Davies as Anthony Walters
BBC
Who is Anthony Walters? Anthony Walters is the ex-husband of Nicky Walters (played by Kym Marsh). He arrives as the coach of the girl’s football team that some of Waterloo Road’s students get involved with. According to the BBC “his arrival causes a big stir with Tonya and Nicky, who has taken on a new role at the school.”
What else has Karl Davies been in? Davies is best known for playing Robert Sugden in Emmerdale. He’s also appeared in Happy Valley, Game of Thrones, Chernobyl, The Tower, The Bay, Call the Midwife, and My Mad Fat Diary.
Maisey Robinson as Portia Weever
BBC
Who is Portia Weever? Portia is one of the students at Waterloo Road. She made her first appearance in season 13, alongside her brother Schuey. She is the cousin of Dean and Steve Weaver.
What else has Maisey Robinson been in? As well as the BBC One series, Maisey has appeared in Coronation Street.
Adam Thomas as Donte Charles
BBC
Who is Donte Charles? Former troubled student Donte Charles now works as the PE teacher at Waterloo Road. In season 11, he became a widower after the death of his wife Chlo, with whom he has two children – Izzy and Thomas.
What else has Adam Thomas been in? Adam Thomas is best known for playing Adam Barton in Emmerdale from 2009 to 2018. He’s also appeared in Casualty, Doctors, and Moving On.
Summer Violet Bird as Tonya Walters
BBC
Who is Tonya Walters? Tonya Walters is a student at Waterloo Road and the daughter of Nicky and Anthony Walters.
What else has Summer Violet Bird been in? As well as Waterloo Road, Summer has appeared in Saturday Mash-Up.
Lindsey Coulson as Dame Stella Drake
BBC
Who is Dame Stella Drake? Dame Stella Drake is the no-nonsense headteacher at Waterloo Road. She was once at the top of the Ofsted rankings, however found herself knocked off after her comments about parental incompetence went viral.
What else has Lindsey Coulson been in? Coulson has been in the acting industry for several years and is known for TV roles in EastEnders, The Bay, and Bulletproof. She also has notable film credits in AKA and Funny Cow.
Scarlett Thomas as Izzy Charles
BBC
Who is Izzy Charles? Izzy is one of the students at Waterloo Road and the daughter of Donte and Chlo. In season 17, she begins to explore her feelings for Cat Guthrie and her sexuality.
What else has Scarlett Thomas been in? Scarlett previously starred as herself in The Nation’s Favourite Disney Song.
James Baxter as Joe Casey
BBC
Who is Joe Casey? Joe is the deputy headteacher at Waterloo Road, and also serves as head of modern languages and the safeguarding lead.
What else has James Baxter been in? Baxter’s TV and film credits include Open All Hours, Alma’s Not Normal, Emmerdale and The Witcher.
Waterloo Road new cast
Freddy Smith as Freddie Hollister
Who is Freddie Hollister? Freddie is a new student joining for season 17.
Olivia Booth-Ford as Leoni Tennant
BBC
Who is Leoni Tennant? Leoni is one of the new students at Waterloo Road. While not much is known about her character, first-look images showed her looking distressed while sitting with deputy Darius Donovan.
Sana Ali as Badr Azzi
Who is Badr Azzi? Badr is a new student at Waterloo Road and the sister of Aisha.
Waterloo Road season 17 starts on BBC One on Tuesday 6th January at 9pm.
Related Stories
