WATERLOO ROAD: CHELSEE HEALEY REPRISES ROLE ON BBC SERIES, NEW STUDENT CAST ANNOUNCED

As Waterloo Road celebrates 20 years since first arriving on screens, Chelsee Healey will be reprising her role as the much-loved Janeece Bryant. 

First seen in 2006 as a pupil at the school, Janeece brought a unique mix of chaos, comedy and heart to Waterloo Road, often landing herself in trouble but always leading with good intentions. Her return now promises that same blend of humour and warmth that made her a fan favourite the first time around, offering a fresh chapter for one of the show’s most recognisable and enduring characters. 

With all episodes available on BBC iPlayer, fans can still enjoy Janeece’s early episodes as one of the school’s most spirited and mischievous pupils. She later returned in series six as the school secretary, before leaving for Ibiza in series eight with her daughter, Cheryl.

When Waterloo Road returned in 2023, Healey returned for Chlo Thomas’s (Katie Griffiths) funeral. This time, she’s back as a regular cast member, joined by newcomer Lauren Hylton as her on screen daughter, Cheryl Bryant, a new student at Waterloo Road.

Also joining the student cast are Leo Ashton (Liam Shaw), Callum Broome (Nathan Clark), Yousef Naseer (Ibrahim Azzi), Lewis Pemberton (Cane Morris), and Keelan Wright (Marshall Clark). The upcoming series will also introduce a wave of newly qualified teachers (NQTs), including Tashinga Bepete as Edward Connell, Cora Kirk as Leah Merchant, and Mollie Winnard as Gemma Tully.

First broadcast on the BBC between 2006 and 2015 and revived in 2023, Waterloo Road remains one of the UK’s longest-running television dramas. The BBC recommissioned the upcoming series early last year, reinforcing the show’s reputation as a gateway for new British talent and reflecting its ongoing commitment to nurturing creative talent in the North of England.

Chelsee Healy says:  “I honestly feel like I’m coming home, stepping back into Waterloo Road as Janeece. She’s still as fierce and funny as ever, but now she’s Mummy Janeece — I can’t wait for everyone to see what she’s been up to.”

Cameron Roach, Founder of Rope Ladder Fiction and Exec Producer for Waterloo Road says: 'This is a real coming of age moment for Waterloo Road, a show that we believe can continue to refresh itself for a new generation. As we celebrate this twentieth anniversary we're thrilled to announce that Chelsee Healey will be returning to the show as Janeece. Janeece truly reflects the spirit and humour of the show, and the common thread that unites the many generations of the show.' 

Waterloo Road is a Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North co-production for BBC iPlayer and BBC One. The executive producers are Cameron Roach for Rope Ladder Fiction, Leanne Klein for Wall to Wall and Gaynor Holmes and Jo McClellan for the BBC.

All episodes of Waterloo Road are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.