Digital Spy·United Kingdom·Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 11:56 AM

Exclusive: Waterloo Road confirms "bigger and better" return

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Erin Zammitt, Louisa Riley

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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.

The show is set to return later this year, though an exact air date has not yet been confirmed. This year is the show's 20th anniversary, with the impressive milestone having been celebrated with the first series airing on TV earlier in the year.

Picking up our trophy for Best Drama Star at this year's Inside Soap Awards, Adam sat down for an exclusive chat with us to get fans excited about what's to come for the beloved show.

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"There’s definitely going to be a different side of Donte that people haven’t seen before," Adam enthuses. "There’ll be some big drama, some great relationships, a lot of love, a lot of laughter and a lot of crying – especially from Donte!

"We have new characters played by some great actors too, the show will be bigger and better than ever. Expect the unexpected!"

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The continuing drama's previous series saw the return of ex-head teacher Jack Rimmer and teacher Steph Haydock – and this coming one will see the comeback of Chelsee Healey's character Janeece Bryant, after the actress left Hollyoaks earlier this year.

"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," Adam recalled of his work on the last series. "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.

"Chelsee Healey is coming back too, which is incredible. I just want them to bring back Grantly Budgen now!"

Read the full interview with Adam in the new issue of Inside Soap, out now.

Waterloo Road airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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