Fans of the beloved series Waterloo Road are buzzing with excitement as it has been confirmed Jason Merrells will reprise his role as headteacher Jack Rimmer for the show's upcoming 15th series. The character has been iconic since the original run, and Merrells expressed his joy at returning for the new season, set to air on BBC channels beginning February 2025.
Merrells originally departed from Waterloo Road back in 2006 but has fond memories of his time on the show. He reflected, "I left the OG series of Waterloo Road in 2006 with very fond memories of building a character... Jack Rimmer was probably my favourite long-running character I’ve played on television." He added, "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 felt like coming home.”
The excitement surrounding Merrells’ return is shared by Cameron Roach, the founder of Rope Ladder Fiction and executive producer for Waterloo Road, who noted, "The very possibility of Jason reviving the character of Jack Rimmer has always excited our writing team, to see it happen has been explosive." Roach anticipated both original fans and newcomers would enjoy the storyline. He stated, "We know how much the OG fans will love the reappearance of Jack, but for the new era it brings incredible story twists. The cast and crew have loved Jason's return to the show, and we know the audience will too."
Joining the narrative, Dame Stella Drake, the new headteacher, seeks Jack’s assistance as she navigates her initial challenges at Waterloo Road, making for interesting plot development.
Meanwhile, the television programming trend seems to lean heavily on revivals and specials, as evidenced by recent confirmations of various series returning to our screens. Outnumbered, known for its family-centric chaos, is set to air its long-awaited Christmas special on Boxing Day. Created and directed by the series' original masterminds, Guy Jenkin and Andy Hamilton, the special will feature the original cast—Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner as parents Pete and Sue, along with their now-adult children portrayed by Tyger Drew-Honey, Daniel Roche, and Ramona Marquez.
The Brockman family faces hurdles as they strive for the perfect festive gathering, but true to the series’ roots, things won't go as planned. The festive chaos will include unforeseen interruptions from neighbors and even hyenas! This once-off, 40-minute episode is set to air at 9:40 PM on BBC One and iPlayer.
On the thriller front, fans eagerly await the sixth season of Strike, which is set to launch on December 16, 2024. Based on J.K. Rowling's celebrated crime series, the upcoming installment titled The Ink Black Heart sees private detectives Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott embroiled in the mystery surrounding the death of a popular cartoon co-creator, entangled with enigmatic online figures. There has been much anticipation building after the previous season, Trouble Blood, left viewers on the edges of their seats.
New to the list of exciting upcoming dramas is King and Conqueror, set to depict the classic tale of Harold, Earl of Wessex, and William of Normandy’s historic battle for the crown of England, culminating at the Battle of Hastings. Spearheaded by actors James Norton and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, the eight-part period drama promises to blend themes of betrayal, action, and drama and should provide viewers with gripping entertainment. There is currently no confirmed release date, but the series is set to premiere sometime in 2025.
This year has been marked by numerous exciting announcements, both about returning favorites and entirely new offerings. The original cast of Gavin & Stacey found their creative spark igniting another special set to air on Christmas Day 2024, five years after their last cliffhanger episode. Similarly, Celebrity Big Brother, revived earlier this year, will see another season come to light in 2025.
Speaking of returning shows, Gladiators is another series securing its place with the announcement of its second series following the initial success of the rebooted format. Although exact details are still under wraps, fans can look forward to more thrilling competitions.
Continuing the trend, Unforgotten, which left viewers with suspicions and unanswered questions after series five, will see new episodes filming, with hopes for release later this year. Similarly, the ever-popular Black Mirror has just confirmed its return for season seven, with exciting developments hinted, including the return of characters from its previous seasons.
From beloved comedies to thrilling dramas, the BBC has clearly tapped back to its rich history of storytelling, intertwining nostalgia with contemporary themes to appeal to diverse audiences across generations. With each new series, there’s both excitement and nostalgia—a blend of old and new, of characters both familiar and fresh, making the coming months for television lovers truly exhilarating.
