The casting of new school staff in the highly anticipated BBC One school drama Waterloo Road has been revealed as filming for the new series begins on set in Greater Manchester. A video of the newly announced cast introducing their characters has also been released on the BBC and Waterloo Road social channels.

Production has confirmed that actress and presenter Kym Marsh (Coronation Street, The Syndicate, Morning Live) is joining the cast as Nicky Walters, a mother to two pupils and school canteen worker. Jo Coffey (EastEnders, The Witcher: Blood Origin) joins the school as Wendy Whitwell, PA to Headteacher Kim Campbell, while Vincent Jerome (Wonder Woman 1984, Transformers: The Last Knight) will play Lindon King, joint Deputy Head with James Baxter (Still Open All Hours, Alma’s Not Normal) cast as Joe Casey - also Deputy Head.

Sonia Ibrahim (Coronation Street, Whisky Cavalier) joins as Jamilah Omar, the school’s social worker, with Shauna Shim (Biff, Chip & Kipper, The Worst Witch) playing music teacher Valerie Chambers. Neil Fitzmaurice (Phoenix Nights, Peepshow) has been cast as Neil Guthrie, the school’s history teacher. Head of English is Coral Walker, played by Rachel Leskovac (Coronation Street, Last Tango In Halifax) and Katherine Pearce (Rules of the Game, Three Girls) has been confirmed as Amy Spratt - an early career teacher.

The news follows the announcement of Waterloo Road’s returning cast members Angela Griffin, playing headteacher Kim Campbell, Adam Thomas as Donte Charles and Katie Griffiths returning as Chlo Charles, last month.

The young actors who will play the pupils are yet to be announced and the upcoming series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.

Kym Marsh says: “I’m thrilled to be joining the fabulous cast of Waterloo Road, it’s such a joy to get the opportunity to film in Manchester again and I can’t wait to get going!”

Executive Producer Cameron Roach says: “We’re incredibly excited to announce our new cast, and we believe that alongside the return of Kim Campbell we’re creating some new iconic characters for the next generation of Waterloo Road. We look forward to the audience joining them in the staff room.”

Waterloo Road is Series Produced for Wall to Wall Media by Lindsay Williams (Coronation Street, Jamie Johnson) and produced by Adam Leatherland. Diane Ferrier is Story Producer, who leads a story team of new and established talent including Yasmin Ali, Amy Coombes, Ethan Deplitch, Georgia Ince, Nana-Kofi Kufuor, Hannah Lee and Joe Morris.

The first episodes are written by Liz Lake, Neil Jones and Lisa Holdsworth. Waterloo Road is working closely with BBC Writersroom to run a shadow writers’ scheme and a shadow directors’ scheme in the coming months.

The lead Director is Jesse Quinones (Cagefighter), with later blocks being directed by Paulette Randall (Tin Star) and Makalla McPherson (EastEnders).

Waterloo Road is a Rope Ladder Fiction and Wall to Wall North co-production. The Executive Producer is Cameron Roach. Waterloo Road was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama and executive producers for the BBC are Gaynor Holmes and Jo McClellan.

Further details about storylines, casting and transmission will be announced in due course.