Waterloo Road

by Dorothy Gibbons

'Waterloo Road' is a British television school drama series screened on BBC1. It started on 9^th March 2006. Filmed in Rochdale in Manchester for series 1 – 7 it had a dramatic end to series 7 seeing one of my favourite characters Kyle Stack played by George Sampson (winner of Britain Got Talent ) sent to prison for a brutal attack!

Was that the end to this character? No. He returns to Waterloo Road which is now filmed in Greenock, Scotland. This school always offers help to everyone and, why I like it so much: they don’t give up on pupils but look for qualities in them to help them out of bad situations.

Looking forward to his return will this bad boy turn good? Only time will tell. I will be tuned in. Will you?

It is very true to life like many secondary schools in Britain, teachers overloaded with work and some pupils driving them to the brink.

It highlights many social issues in every episode and has me gripped to chair each Thursday evening. The programme covers issues including gangs, teen pregnancy, alcoholism, divorce, child abuse and suicide. Further, Waterloo Road is always offering help for anyone watching who can relate to issues portrayed.

Another reason I like the show is that it doesn’t show teachers as being perfect. Recently, one of my favourite story lines included Christine Mulgrew, played by Laurie Brett (Jane from EastEnders), teaching English at Waterloo Road. Looking like a woman in control of her life as a single mum with son Connor, she has a deep secret. She is an alcoholic who turns into a manipulative bully.

Her son tries to cover up for his mum in many ways. She gets out of control with her drinking not so much a secret now as teachers and pupils see it for themselves. I wonder what the future holds for Christine at Waterloo Road? Only time will tell.

Benji Wilson, writing for the Telegraph on 23^rd February 2012 said: “For the older viewer, however, there is a pleasure to be had in Waterloo Road that is something like a visit to an Oxfam Shop – you never know what bizarre gems you might find there.”

This made me chuckle but it's true. I love to watch it weekly. I can recommend you take the time to check it out or visit the two good websites http://www.waterlooroad.co.uk/ and a fan site http://www.waterlooroadtv.com/. These sites reveal so much information on the episodes, cast and story lines coming up. Who knows, if you visit regularly maybe you will become gripped on the series like me?

The cast are getting involved in Comic Relief this year 'Let’s Dance 2013'. They are tuned into helping and encouraging others to get involved in projects to help the community showing love, care and respect to all no matter colour or creed or social status. Because they show equality to all is why Waterloo Road is one of my favourite programmes: I believe in equality for all too.