Let’s be honest - there are loads of decent box sets out there right now, but finding one that you want to watch again and again? That’s a different story. If there’s one show that truly delivers on the binge factor, though, it’s Waterloo Road. Two decades on and it’s still serving up absolute chaos - and honestly, we can’t get enough.
First hitting our screens back in 2006 before wrapping in 2015 and making a comeback in 2023, the iconic school drama has racked up over 200 episodes, all of which you can watch now on BBC iPlayer.
From unhinged headteachers to full-blown school explosions, it’s the kind of show that defined growing up for lots of us, and still hits just as hard today. The best bit? With series 17 landing earlier this year, there’s never been a better time to dive back in.
So, to celebrate 20 years of Waterloo Road, here are some of the most iconic moments that prove it’s anything but your average school day…
The most dramatic moments from all 17 series of Waterloo Road
When a headteacher loses it on the roof
Talk about starting things as you mean to go on, the first ever episode of Waterloo Road saw headteacher Brian Vaisey throw pretty much all his belongings off the roof in full view of staff and students, including long-suffering teachers like Steph Haydock (Denise Welch). Apparently unhappy for receiving little thanks throughout his 30 years of service – and who could blame him? – that’s the first (and last) we see of him, with Jack Rimmer, the first on-screen headteacher, stepping in as his replacement.
When the school went up in flames
In series 3 episode 20, the last day of term turned into an absolute nightmare when businessman Hordley - fresh from exposing headteacher Rachel Mason’s past as a prostitute to the entire school - ended up torching the place with a cheeky fag. Unaware there was a gas leak in the kitchen, he flicked his cigarette into a bin, sparking a blaze. Seconds later, the gas ignites and boom - a massive explosion sends a fireball ripping through the school. Eventually everyone makes it out, except Hordley, who is presumed dead.
When Chlo gave birth in the toilet
Chlo (Katie Griffiths) and Donte’s tumultuous relationship was well and truly put to the test in series 4 when, following a marriage, cheating scandal, break-up and reunion, Chlo fell pregnant with his baby. Unsure she wants to keep it, Donte (Adam Thomas) threatens her with divorce, but she ends up going into labour six weeks early, giving birth in the bathroom toilet with the help of Kim Campbell (Angela Griffin) in episode 18. Thankfully Donte comes to his senses, and the pair go on to live happily ever after. Until Chloe dies in the 2023 revival, that is.
When Ashton stole the new head teacher’s car
Donte was forced to revisit a traumatic past event in the opening episode of series 15 when new student Ashton (who, plot twist, is actually his son), takes new head teacher Stella Drake’s car – which Dante is supposed to be fixing – for a joyride. Donte covers for Ashton, but not before explaining how his own dangerous underage driving ended up killing his best friend Adam.
When Helen Hopewell lost total control of her class
Helen Hopewell’s first day in front of a class couldn’t go much worse if it tried in series 5 episode 1, with the newly qualified teacher instantly losing control as students clock she’s completely out of her depth. Branded “Hopeless Hopewell” within minutes, things quickly spiral from a bit of classroom banter to something far more sinister when Michaela White corners a rattled Helen, only for it to backfire spectacularly as Lindsay James steps in and the pair end up scrapping in the middle of the classroom. Thankfully teacher Tom Clarkson (Jason Done) steps in to break it up before things get even more out of hand.
When a playground fight turned into full-scale war
Thought that was the end of Michaela and Lindsay’s drama? Think again. The same episode saw tensions between the girls spill out onto the playing field and turn into a full-on scrap, dragging half the students into the madness and even catching poor Helen in the crossfire for good measure. The real gut punch comes afterwards, however, when Rachel drops a bombshell on Lindsay and her sister Emily – their dad is dead, and their mum has confessed to killing him. Yikes.
When Ralph Miller tried to tear the school down with a digger
If you thought your parents were embarrassing, share a thought for poor Flick Mellor, whose dad Ralph tried to knock down her school. To be fair, he was devastated that he’d lost his job, and his daughter had served him with a restraining order – which he blamed on Rachel - so after a few pints he decides to steal a digger and plough into the front entrance. As you do.
When Izzy and Donte’s relationship hit breaking point
While there are plenty of hard-hitting moments in Waterloo Road, few feel as emotionally raw as Izzy’s struggle with the loss of her mum, Chlo, and the strain it puts on her relationship with dad Donte – who also happens to be her teacher. Still trying to process her grief, tensions build in series 17 episode 3 when a heated row about a trip to Ibiza ends with Izzy slamming a school door against Donte, leaving him with a bloodied face and a severe black eye. Thankfully Izzy later shows remorse, and agrees to try family therapy.
When Grantly Budgen’s wig became a laughing stock
While we’d never condone taking the mick out of a teacher, Grantly Budgen (Philip Martin Brown) wasn’t exactly helping himself in series 4 with that tragic toupee. It was so blatantly bad that the students absolutely tore into him, asking what it was called, telling him to “keep his hair on” and basically treating it like a class pet. And just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse, one episode saw a sniffer dog leg it off with the thing and give it a proper mauling. Honestly, it might’ve been an upgrade.
When Christine Mulgrew resigned when drunk
Headteacher Christine Mulgrew’s storyline takes a difficult turn in series 9 episode 19, as her long-running battle with alcoholism leads to a serious relapse with devastating consequences. After turning up to school drunk, things come to a head during a meeting with the education board, where an argument sees her resign as headteacher. It’s a tough watch, but Waterloo Road isn’t one to shy away from difficult subject matters, and it does a great job highlighting the reality of addiction. The good news? She returns in series 10 as an English teacher.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006t1p7/waterloo-road?at_mid=Ni8tl7Z5Bg&at_campaign=WaterlooRoad_LadArticle&at_medium=programmatic_display&at_campaign_type=paid&at_nation=NET&at_ptr_name=ladbible&at_format=partnership&at_product=iplayer&at_brand=b006t1p7&at_audience_id=all_map_aud&at_objective=awareness&at_bbc_team=BBCStream all episodes now on BBC iPlayer
Thomas Thorn