Waterloo Road

The new, eighth series of the award-winning BBC1 drama Waterloo Road is back, with the teachers and students at the Rochdale comp straight into the extra-curricular drama.

With Karen Fisher's dramatic exit in the last series, it's the first day at school for new superhead Michael Byrne (Alec Newman), who's been brought in by the education authority to turn the school around.

Michael, however, has a shocking back story - he literally bears the scars of his success following an attack at his previous school by the knife-carrying Wayne. Called to court to hear the verdict, Michael is appalled when his ex-pupil is acquitted of attempted murder. But he may not be prepared to accept the verdict!

For new pupils Phoenix (Kayak Moore) and Harley Taylor (Kane Tomlinson-Weaver), the year begins in tragedy when they discover the death of their nan. Determined not to be sent back to live with their abusive father, the brothers resolve to keep her death a secret, but their plan begins to unravel when their erratic behaviour attracts attention.

Meanwhile, the teachers are unhappy with the introduction of a fresh team of high-achieving staff specially chosen by Michael, including newlyweds Jez (Alex Walkinshaw) and Sian Diamond (Jaye Jacobs). Count on Grantly's grumbles!

And the pupils are confronted by an influx of trouble-makers from the nearby estates, including ring-leader Tariq. But Finn, struggling to recover from the death of Sambuca, may be about to find his attention diverted by more interested in Tariq's sister, Trudi...

New term, new staff, old troubles in the schoolground...