MR RIMMER RETURNS TO WATERLOO ROAD AS BBC CONFIRMS FEBRUARY RELEASE FOR NEW SERIES

The BBC has announced that Waterloo Road fan favourite Jason Merrells (Happy Valley, Emmerdale) will be returning to the hit drama for a guest appearance in its next series, coming to BBC iPlayer and BBC One in February.

Merrells will reprise his role as Jack Rimmer, who became head of Waterloo Road in the drama’s first ever series. The news follows the recent announcement that Lindsey Coulson will be joining the Greater Manchester based series as the new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake, taking over the role from Steve Savage played by Jason Manford.

Jack Rimmer, known for his charisma and hard-nosed approach to leading the school, was a stabilising force during some of Waterloo Road’s most difficult early years, though not without his own drama. Previously seen in series three, when he resigned to pursue a head teacher role in Dubai, Jack returns to the show as a counsellor. Now living back in Manchester, he is no longer working in education

Jason Merrells says: “I left the OG series of Waterloo Road in 2006 with very fond memories of building a character in such a great ensemble and with such an important story. When I saw the renewed interest from another generation - who weren’t born when we made the original - I was heartened and surprised.

Jack Rimmer was probably my favourite long running character I’ve played on television, and going back for this new incarnation to tell this story of who Jack has become over the intervening years has been an absolute pleasure. It’s a different building, but the same ethos, drama, humour & integrity are still in place, it felt like coming home.”

Cameron Roach, Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction and Exec Producer for Waterloo Road says: 'The very possibility of Jason reviving the character of Jack Rimmer, has always excited our writing team, to see it happen has been explosive. We know how much the OG fans will love the reappearance of Jack, but for the new era it brings incredible story twists that fans new and old will enjoy. The cast and crew have loved Jason's return to the show and we know the audience will too.'

As shown in a new clip released today, February’s series will see Dame Stella Drake seek Jack’s help as she struggles through her first few weeks as head of Waterloo Road. Viewers will have to wait for the new series to see just how difficult Stella’s journey at the school is, and whether Jack’s advice and expertise can help her. 

Jason Merrell’s return to the show adds to the list of original cast members who have returned to Waterloo Road since its return to the BBC, alongside the rebooted series’ brand new cast of regular characters.

Returning faces have also included Chlo Charles played by Katie Griffiths, Janeece Bryant played by Chelsee Healey, Andrew Treneman played by Jamie Glover, Mika Grainger played by Lauren Drummond, Kim Campbell played by Angela Griffin, and Donte Charles played by Adam Thomas, who remains in the show as a lead cast member.

Waterloo Road is a Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North co-production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The executive producers are Cameron Roach for Rope Ladder Fiction, Leanne Klein for Wall to Wall and Gaynor Holmes and Jo McClellan for the BBC.

All episodes of Waterloo Road are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.