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Waterloo Road, made by Shed Productions through ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Drama Scotland, returns to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One for a new series on Wednesday 7 January 2009.

Set in a fictional school in Rochdale, the drama features good and bad teachers and pupils, although at its heart is a message that a few good teachers in one school can succeed in achieving the near impossible.

Waterloo Road is a long running drama with mass appeal to a wide-ranging audience. Originally commissioned in 2005 for eight episodes, the series has grown over the years and is now enjoying a fourth series.

In total, 60 hours have been produced – a testament to its popularity with viewers, which peaked at six million in March 2008.

Waterloo Road has featured actors such as Angela Griffin, Jason Merrells, Jill Halfpenny, Eva Pope and Neil Morrissey.

Series four sees the return of Head Teacher, Rachel Mason (Eva Pope), who nearly died at the end of series three, after being trapped in the school as a fireball ripped through it.

Deputy Head, Eddie Lawson (Neil Morrissey) is back, and from episode 11 we see the welcome return of Kim Campbell (Angela Griffin).

Rachel is more determined than ever to get the school back on track and introduces challenging new initiatives, a zero-exclusion policy, breakfast and after-school clubs, and adult evening classes.

However, her plans are dealt a severe blow with the arrival of the Kelly "family from Hell".

Gaynor Holmes, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Executive Producer for Waterloo Road, said: "I'm delighted that Waterloo Road is returning in January to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One. ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Drama Scotland is extremely proud of the series which has proved extremely popular with viewers, especially younger audiences. Shed has produced another series brimming with exciting, action-paced stories and stunning cast performances."

Part of the Shed Media Group, Shed Productions is an independent UK television production company, specialising in contemporary, original drama programming and content. Shed has recently completed filming a new eight-part peak time drama, Hope Springs, for ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One.

Waterloo Road continues in the footsteps of distinctive drama made through ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland, including Hope Springs (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One), PA's (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Three), Wallander (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One), Fiona's Story (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One), God On Trial (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two), Zig Zag Love (³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One Scotland) and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Scotland's popular continuing series, River City, amongst others.

SM2