Former Emmerdale star Karl Davies is swapping the Dales for the classroom as he joins Waterloo Road.
The actor, who is best known for playing Robert Sugden on the soap, will be starring on the sixteenth series as Tony Walters, the estranged husband of Kym Marsh’s character, Nicky Walters.
Former Emmerdale star Karl Davies will be joining Waterloo Road[/caption]
The news was shared earlier this week on a fan account called Waterloo Road Extra on Instagram.
Alongside a picture of the actor, they penned: “Former #Emmerdale actor Karl Davies is set to join #WaterlooRoad as Tony Walters. He will appear in the next series.”
Excited fans flocked to the comments section to share their enthusiasm as one wrote: “When is the new series? I can’t b****y wait!!!!” Another said: “Oooh, the second Robert Sugden.”
The actor appeared on the ITV soap from 2001 to 2009 and was the third actor to take on the role of the character.
The character of Robert returned in 2014, with Ryan Hawley taking on the role.
Karl joins a long line of former soap stars on the current cast of Waterloo Road, with fellow Emmerdale alumni, Adam Thomas starring as Donte Charles.
The show also stars former EastEnders actress Lindsey Coulson, as well as Coronation Street favourites, Kym Marsh and Rachel Lekovac and Saira Choudhry of Hollyoaks fame.
Kym, 49, joined the series in 2023 as part of the reboot as series regular Nicky, along with her unruly children, Tonya and Preston.
The actress revealed she is leaving the show, with her final scenes airing in the next series.
Six years after the show concluded in 2015, it was commissioned for an eleventh series in 2021.
Last month, it was revealed that Waterloo Road had been recommissioned for at least two more runs.
The BBC said the Manchester-set programme’s return, which began in 2006 and ran until 2015 before it was brought back to screens in 2023, will allow it to continue with its investment in creative talent in the north of England.
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said: “I’m delighted that Waterloo Road will be opening its corridors once again, with two more series of the hit drama about to start filming.
“The show continues to entertain the audience who love to follow both the staff and pupils and, with a new series heading to BBC iPlayer and BBC One next month, they don’t have long to wait.”
Cameron Roach, Waterloo Road executive producer, said: ‘When the BBC commissioned the reboot of Waterloo Road, we had hoped it might run for a few seasons.
“But to be commissioned for further series, bringing the total episodes since relaunch to 70 hours, is a huge achievement and a reflection of the incredible creative teams in front of and behind the camera.
“As well as continuing to celebrate emerging talent, the show is fast gaining a reputation for working with the best comedy talent, as Jon Richardson joins the cast this season.
The next series will also see Jon Richardson make his debut as the school’s new media studies teacher and the show has already seen Lindsey replace comedian Jason Manford, who played Steven Savage, as new headteacher, Dame Stella Drake.