Add your email and we'll match picks to the services you stream at home.

Waterloo Road

Name: Waterloo Road
Genre: Drama
Released: 2006-03-09
Cast: James Baxter, Adam Thomas, Neil Fitzmaurice, Shauna Shim, Jo Coffey

2006 | 17 seasons | 60 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

It's still drawing plenty of interest. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it: Made for anyone who loves a strong character drama.
The mood: Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace: 17 seasons and 254 episodes: a long-haul commitment, hour-long episodes, about 254 hours in all.
What might put you off: Rated TV-14. Probably too much for younger kids.
A big time investment at 17 seasons.

Waterloo Road is a British television drama series set in a comprehensive school of the same name, first broadcast on BBC One on 9 March 2006, and concluding its original run on 9 March 2015. It was recommissioned in 2021, and resumed starting 9 January 2023. At the failing comprehensive school, and later academy of the same name, the professional and personal lives of the students and staff are examined. Affairs, scandals, blackmail and many, many headteachers. Who said education was easy?

How it earned its rating

CriticsNot counted
Not enough reviews on record yet
AudiencesNot counted
Not measured yet: not enough ratings
AwardsSolid
Nominated for 1 BAFTA.
Reach & staying powerSolid
Ran for 17 seasons and reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release
Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 340K people sought it out in the past year