BBC Waterloo Road signs up EastEnders icon as new headteacher after dramatic exit

Former actress Lindsey Coulson is set to make a dramatic entrance as the new headteacher Dame Stella Drake in the upcoming series of Taking over from the previous head, Steve Savage, portrayed by Jason Manford, who was carted off by the police for his involvement in a murder cover-up at the end of series 14, Coulson's character is poised to shake things up.

At 64, Coulson expressed her excitement: "I'm delighted to be joining Waterloo Road as the new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake. " She's relishing the challenge of a fresh role, saying, "It's a role I haven't played before so I'm really enjoying peeling back the layers of who Stella is and seeing how the teachers and react to her no-nonsense approach."

Coulson praised the show's commitment to addressing social issues: "Waterloo Road tackles social issues head-on which is so important to see on television and this series will be no different."

The producers hint at turmoil as Dame Stella steps into a school where students have grown increasingly unruly, with her traditional methods clashing with contemporary educational approaches. In a sneak peek, she addresses the staff with a call to action: "I know you're probably still feeling battered and bruised following recent events, but we need to take a good honest look at what changes are needed to turn this school around."

Waterloo Road, which delves into the lives of those at a state school in Greater Manchester, enjoyed a successful run from 2006 to 2015 and made its comeback in 2023. Coulson is best known for her portrayal of Carol Jackson in EastEnders, a role she last reprised in 2015.

Cameron Roach, executive producer of Waterloo Road, has expressed his enthusiasm with the latest casting news: "We're really thrilled that Lindsey Coulson is joining Waterloo Road, she has absolutely embraced the spirit and ethos of the show, and she completely inhabits the role of Dame Stella Drake, we can't wait for the audience to meet her. He further praised the impact of such a high-profile addition.

"The fact that the show has attracted an actor of Lindsey's calibre is testament to the continued ambition and commitment from our writing and story teams, as well as our brilliant cast and crew."

Emphasising the significance of this moment, Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, also shared: "It's a real honour to have an actor of Lindsey Coulson's calibre take the reins at Waterloo Road. Dame Stella Drake is a force to be reckoned with, and we know fans of all ages are going to love watching her."

The eagerly anticipated return of Waterloo Road to BBC iPlayer and BBC One is slated for 2025.