Ackley Bridge: Everything you need to know about the new Channel 4 drama

Waterloo Road fans will love the new school-themed show
Timely: the new series explores issues of multiculturalism and integration

If you’ve been missing Waterloo Road since final bell rang for the school drama, then Ackley Bridge could be just the thing. Channel 4’s new soap-style show will be tackling current issues around integration head on as it sees an all-Asian school and an all-white school converge.

Here’s everything you need to know:

What’s it about?

The opening of a new multi-cultural school causes two very different communities to collide. Set in the fictional Yorkshire town of Ackley Bridge, the drama sees two schools forced to come together under one roof due to budget cuts.

A deeply segregated community, the show will follow the lives of the students, teacher and parents cultures clash and prejudices are challenged.

What happens in episode one?

We’ll see pupils arrive for their very first day at the brand new school, with the episode focusing on best friends Missy and Nas who are now attending the same college.

There was some controversy surrounding the first show when it was revealed that it had had to be re-edited following the Manchester Arena bombing. Originally producers had included scenes showing "a troubled student strap a fake bomb to himself in order to disrupt the merging of a predominantly white and a predominantly Asian school."

A spokesperson said "In light of the tragic events in Manchester, the first episode of forthcoming drama series Ackley Bridge is being re-edited."

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Who’s in the cast?

Notable names include EastEnders’ star Jo Joyner (known for playing Tanya Branning) who’s heading up the cast and the school as headmistress Mandy Carter, and fellow Albert Square alumnus Paul Nicholls who plays PE teacher Steve Bell. Joining them is Casualty actress Sunetra Sarker as matriarch Kaneeze Paracha.

Where was it filmed?

The series is shot on-location in Yorkshire, with St Catherine’s Catholic High School in Halifax used as Ackley Bridge College.

When’s it on?

The first episode of the new series airs tonight at 8pm on Channel 4.

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