Renowned actress Lindsey Coulson, best known for her role as Carol Jackson on EastEnders, is set to join the cast of Waterloo Road as the school’s new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake. Coulson will take over from Steve Savage (played by comedian Jason Manford), who exited dramatically at the end of series 14 after his character was arrested for covering up a murder.
The 64-year-old actress shared her excitement about the new role, saying, “I’m delighted to be joining Waterloo Road as the new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake. It’s a role I haven’t played before, so I’m really enjoying peeling back the layers of who Stella is and seeing how the teachers and students react to her no-nonsense approach.”
Waterloo Road, known for tackling social issues, will continue its tradition of relevant storytelling. In a first-look clip, Coulson’s character tells the faculty, “I know you’re probably still feeling battered and bruised following recent events, but we need to take a good honest look at what changes are needed to turn this school around.”
Cameron Roach, the show’s executive producer, praised Coulson’s addition to the cast, stating, “We’re thrilled to have Lindsey Coulson on Waterloo Road. She has embraced the spirit and ethos of the show and completely inhabits the role of Dame Stella Drake. We can’t wait for the audience to meet her.”
Lindsay Salt, BBC Drama Director, added, “It’s a real honour to have an actor of Lindsey Coulson’s calibre take the reins at Waterloo Road. Dame Stella Drake is a force to be reckoned with, and we know fans of all ages are going to love watching her.
The much-anticipated return of Waterloo Road will be available on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in 2025.
