Waterloo Road; 2022: The Year from Space

“Perhaps it is possible for adults to write something concerning teenagers that doesn’t make you want to chew your own fists off with embarrassment, but after watching the new series’ first episode – in which perfectly pertinent issues were wrangled on to two-dimensional characters for a flurry of teachable moments – I’m afraid I’m yet to see it done here. To give Waterloo Road some grace, the drama was tightly scripted and well cast. This opening episode did an admirable job of introducing the series’ main characters and themes.”
Emily Watkins, The i

“The average age of BBC1’s viewers is over 60. I’m not sure the issues of hormonal surges, first love and being an LGBTQ+ teenager will be quite their thing. Those who would relate to all that are, it’s easy to assume, glued to their phones — will they give YouTube a break to watch Waterloo Road on the school bus? Well, maybe. So wish this feisty and heartfelt revival luck.”
James Jackson, The Times

“Fans of the earlier show will inevitably tune in for old time’s sake, but it’s less apparent if the Beeb can garner a new audience for Waterloo Road. Away from ratings, however, it does seem like a good opportunity to give some airtime to problems facing teenagers and school kids; unfairly maligned by the pandemic and grappling with the toxicity of social media on top of puberty’s usual dilemmas, they deserve it. If only they could do it with fewer cloying buzzwords.”
Poppie Platt, The Telegraph

“Does it help important moral debates when they are the backdrop to a drama that seems more comfortable delivering classic soap storylines, such as the one that engulfs the original characters Donte (Adam Thomas) and Chlo (Katie Griffiths), tearaway pupils who have now become conscientious, hopeful, nervous young parents? Well-intentioned as they are, these fictional teachers still look as if they are doing an impossible job.”
Jack Seale, The Guardian

“As well as being blatantly political, it is irresponsible of the corporation, even reckless, to inflame racial unrest in schools. Waterloo Road aired at primetime, just before the beginning of a new term. Are BBC executives deliberately trying to stir up violence and unrest in British schools?”
Christopher Stevens, Daily Mail

“In a review of the year doubling as a bumper National Geographic annual brought to life, 2022: The Year from Space offered a macro view of Earth by satellites orbiting our planet. It was sometimes fascinating, sometimes doze-inducing.”
James Jackson, The Times