{"id":787638,"date":"2026-09-30T17:20:17","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T17:20:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/787638\/"},"modified":"2026-09-30T17:20:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T17:20:17","slug":"exclusive-waterloo-road-confirms-bigger-and-better-return","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/787638\/","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive: Waterloo Road confirms &#8220;bigger and better&#8221; return"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"inside soap at digital spy exclusive banner on pink background\" title=\"Inside Soap at Digital Spy exclusive\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"150\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790788815_168_75d3a32f-2a4e-47c4-97a2-c8e3cd5419fa.png\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\u3164\u3164\u3164\u3164<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"4\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Waterloo Road spoilers\" data-node-id=\"4.0.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Waterloo Road spoilers<\/a> follow.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"10\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Waterloo Road star Adam Thomas has teased an exciting new series ahead, as we return to the school and to his character, PE teacher Donte Charles. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"14\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">The show is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/a65777649\/bbc-waterloo-road-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/a65777649\/bbc-waterloo-road-future\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"set to return later this year\" data-node-id=\"14.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">set to return later this year<\/a>, though an exact air date has not yet been confirmed. This year is the show&#8217;s 20th anniversary, with the impressive milestone having been celebrated with the first series airing on TV earlier in the year.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Picking up our trophy for Best Drama Star <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a73821062\/coronation-street-emmerdale-inside-soap-awards-2026-winners\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/coronation-street\/a73821062\/coronation-street-emmerdale-inside-soap-awards-2026-winners\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"at this year&#039;s Inside Soap Awards\" data-node-id=\"18.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">at this year&#8217;s Inside Soap Awards<\/a>, Adam sat down for an exclusive chat with us to get fans excited about what&#8217;s to come for the beloved show.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"embargo 10122022 chlo charles, izzy charles, tommy charles and donte charles in waterloo road\" title=\"EMBARGO 10\/12\/2022 Chlo Charles, Izzy Charles, Tommy Charles and Donte Charles in Waterloo Road\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/waterloo-road-chlo-charles-izzy-charles-tommy-charles-donte-charles-1670590610.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Wall To Wall\/Rope Ladder Fiction\/David Gennard\/\/BBC<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"23\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/a73485382\/waterloo-road-portia-weever-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/a73485382\/waterloo-road-portia-weever-future\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Exclusive - Waterloo Road confirms Portia&#039;s future\" data-node-id=\"23.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Exclusive &#8211; Waterloo Road confirms Portia&#8217;s future<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"27\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">&#8220;There\u2019s definitely going to be a different side of Donte that people haven\u2019t seen before,&#8221; Adam enthuses. &#8220;There\u2019ll be some big drama, some great relationships, a lot of love, a lot of laughter and a lot of crying \u2013 especially from Donte!<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"32\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">&#8220;We have new characters played by some great actors too, the show will be bigger and better than ever. Expect the unexpected!&#8221;<br data-node-id=\"32.1\"\/><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"36\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">The continuing drama&#8217;s previous series saw the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/a70622537\/waterloo-road-spoilers-jack-rimmer-future\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/a70622537\/waterloo-road-spoilers-jack-rimmer-future\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"return of ex-head teacher Jack Rimmer\" data-node-id=\"36.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">return of ex-head teacher Jack Rimmer<\/a> and teacher Steph Haydock \u2013 and this coming one will see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/a70686242\/waterloo-road-chelsee-healey-return-20th-anniversary\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/a70686242\/waterloo-road-chelsee-healey-return-20th-anniversary\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"the comeback of Chelsee Healey\" data-node-id=\"36.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">the comeback of Chelsee Healey<\/a>&#8216;s character Janeece Bryant, after the actress left <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/hollyoaks\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/hollyoaks\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Hollyoaks\" data-node-id=\"36.5.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Hollyoaks<\/a> earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"donte charles, adam thomas, jack rimmer jason merrells waterloo road\" title=\"Donte Charles, Adam Thomas, Jack Rimmer, Jason Merrells, Waterloo Road\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4838\" height=\"3219\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/donte-carles-adam-thomas-jack-rimmer-jason-merrells-waterloo-road-679a04db8a9c9.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>VISHAL SHARMA\/\/BBC<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"41\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/a71803452\/waterloo-road-chelsee-healey-first-look\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/a71803452\/waterloo-road-chelsee-healey-first-look\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Waterloo Road star reveals first look at comeback\" data-node-id=\"41.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Waterloo Road star reveals first look at comeback<\/a><br data-node-id=\"41.1\"\/><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"45\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">&#8220;To be able to work with Denise Welch and Jason Merrells again is an absolute joy, especially because I was a pupil back then and now I play a teacher,&#8221; Adam recalled of his work on the last series. &#8220;I just think these guys are the best in the business, I get to learn so much from them and I love doing staffroom scenes with everyone.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"49\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">&#8220;Chelsee Healey is coming back too, which is incredible. I just want them to bring back Grantly Budgen now!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"53\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Read the full interview with Adam in the new issue of <a href=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/inside-soap-subscribe\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/inside-soap-subscribe\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Inside Soap\" data-node-id=\"53.0.1.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Inside Soap<\/a>, out now.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"57\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Waterloo Road airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"61\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/waterloo-road\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Read more Waterloo Road spoilers on our dedicated homepage\" data-node-id=\"61.0.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read more Waterloo Road spoilers on our dedicated homepage<\/a><br data-node-id=\"61.1\"\/><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"66\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Streaming Guide\" data-node-id=\"66.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"70\" class=\"css-14bo8h1 emevuu60\">The new edition of Legends, a 100-page celebration of Dolly Parton&#8217;s life, is here. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/special-editions-subscriptions-lvldollyparton\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/special-editions-subscriptions-lvldollyparton\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy Dolly in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"70.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Buy Dolly in newsagents or online<\/a>.<br data-node-id=\"70.1\"\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u3164\u3164\u3164\u3164 Waterloo Road spoilers follow. Waterloo Road star Adam Thomas has teased an exciting new series ahead, as&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":787639,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[29],"tags":[150303,147951,147950,379,259327,381,96,190731,1156,259326,223205,159378,391,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-787638","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tv","tag-collection-exclusives","tag-collection-inside-soap","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-6745c4d3-f70e-4c1b-bb3f-1d3cd40e9bf3","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-gb","tag-shorttitle-exclusive-waterloo-road-confirms-bigger-and-better-return","tag-sponsored-false","tag-subsection-waterloo-road","tag-tv","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787638","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=787638"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/787638\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/787639"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=787638"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=787638"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=787638"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}