Meet the cast:
Aleesha Dillon:
Aleesha and Danielle considered themselves Waterloo Road's answer to Paris and Nicole: slumming it temporarily with the scuzzers - thank god they're destined for more glamorous things (cos they so are). Fiercely loyal to each other, but quick to laugh at everyone else - Aleesha and Danielle ticked the class of twenty ten's 'princess' quotient. Aleesha might be a little on the materialistic side, but she was a bright student, poached from a rival school by ex-Head Jack Rimmer as part of his bursary scheme. Aleesha's armed with quick wit and sense of humour - shame she doesn't choose to use those powers for good more often!
Currently, Aleesha is studying a hair and beauty course at a local college. Any extra money her and Paul earn comes from her homers (for which she is paid cash in hand) and, of course, Paul's till-dipping. A recent trip to Camden has inspired Aleesha to bring a little bit of that atmosphere to Rochdale. She has plans to open a tattoo parlour and has encouraged her lecturers at college to bring in experts from outside to show how it's done. Aleesha wants to be someone and there's a sneaking feeling growing in her that Paul is holding her back.
Currently, Aleesha is studying a hair and beauty course at a local college. Any extra money her and Paul earn comes from her homers (for which she is paid cash in hand) and, of course, Paul's till-dipping. A recent trip to Camden has inspired Aleesha to bring a little bit of that atmosphere to Rochdale. She has plans to open a tattoo parlour and has encouraged her lecturers at college to bring in experts from outside to show how it's done. Aleesha wants to be someone and there's a sneaking feeling growing in her that Paul is holding her back.
Bolton Smilie
When Bolton arrived at Waterloo Road his 'don't need no education, cos I already know it all' philosophy, meant he spent so much time in the cooler, the teachers considered charging him rent. Okay, so he was never Einstein, but by the time Bolton got to sixth form (yes, he even stayed on for an extra two years) he was a different pupil and actually at home there. Of course, a large part of the draw to stay was Bolton's success at charming Waterloo Road's sizable female population. His past conquests include Janeece, Michaela and Sambuca, and Bolton's sexual magnetism shows no signs of diminishing soon...
These days Bolton goes under the rap DJ name of Boo Boy on a pirate radio station - Radio Pulsate - run from his bedroom. The world he occupies is 'live for the moment' and anti-establishment -as well as being illegal. With his flair for words, Bolton uses Radio Pulsate as an opportunity to address issues of alienation and sub-culture - as well as promoting real new bands in Britain today.
These days Bolton goes under the rap DJ name of Boo Boy on a pirate radio station - Radio Pulsate - run from his bedroom. The world he occupies is 'live for the moment' and anti-establishment -as well as being illegal. With his flair for words, Bolton uses Radio Pulsate as an opportunity to address issues of alienation and sub-culture - as well as promoting real new bands in Britain today.
Danielle Harker
Alongside BFF Aleesha, Danielle coasted her way through school, more concerned about looking good than working hard. Danielle always wanted great things for her future - so long as she didn't have to chip a nail achieving them. Danielle's lowest point at Waterloo Road came when she drank some stolen ethanol from the science classroom and woke up in a hospital bed - all in the name of 'having a good time'. Danielle learnt then to appreciate moderation, but is still opinionated, articulate and confident. She'd choose style over content every time and would happily miss a lesson if is gave her exclusive access to the mirrors in the girl's toilets.
Since finishing at Waterloo Road, Danielle has failed to win a place at her chosen uni to do 'business studies'. She sits at home all day, stroking the cat, saying she's depressed and annoying the hell out of her mother and friends. She has handed in 'hundreds' of CV's to firms and blames them for not following. It hasn't occurred to Danielle that a job in a local caff would be good for her soul - never mind voluntary work at the old folks' home down the road. Danielle feels she's owed - and that's that.
Since finishing at Waterloo Road, Danielle has failed to win a place at her chosen uni to do 'business studies'. She sits at home all day, stroking the cat, saying she's depressed and annoying the hell out of her mother and friends. She has handed in 'hundreds' of CV's to firms and blames them for not following. It hasn't occurred to Danielle that a job in a local caff would be good for her soul - never mind voluntary work at the old folks' home down the road. Danielle feels she's owed - and that's that.
Janeece Bryant
She might be loud, brash and opinionated, but Janeece's heart is as big as her gob. Well, almost. At school, Janeece was a popular pupil who may have caused her fair share of trouble and mayhem, but teachers frequently wrote off her escapades as 'Janeece being Janeece' - no sense trying to change her. Janeece and Bolton broke up when he couldn't handle all the attention she received after getting a rush boob-job, and whilst Bolton was quick to move on, Janeece might still nurse a small flame for her ex. Perhaps not the brightest bulb on the tanning bed, Janeece is however blessed with boundless energy and bolshie charm.
These days Janeece is back at Waterloo Road working as the school secretary and is the self-appointed gate-keeper of Head Teacher, Karen Fisher. After a one-night stand last year, Janeece gave birth to her baby girl, Cheryl (named after Cheryl Cole) and in her opinion, being a mother is the only job more important than deciding who does and doesn't deserve face time with Waterloo Road's Head. Janeece supplements her seccy wage with the rent she charges Paul for a tiny box room in her house, but the expression 'mates rates' isn't a term Janeece recognizes...
These days Janeece is back at Waterloo Road working as the school secretary and is the self-appointed gate-keeper of Head Teacher, Karen Fisher. After a one-night stand last year, Janeece gave birth to her baby girl, Cheryl (named after Cheryl Cole) and in her opinion, being a mother is the only job more important than deciding who does and doesn't deserve face time with Waterloo Road's Head. Janeece supplements her seccy wage with the rent she charges Paul for a tiny box room in her house, but the expression 'mates rates' isn't a term Janeece recognizes...
Michaela White
"Oh no, not Michaela White" was a phrase muttered by both the staff and pupils whenever they saw Michaela approach along the school corridors. Michaela started out as one of Waterloo Road's biggest bullies, with a bag full of sass and the attitude of a future ASBO queen. However, with some time, attention (and perhaps some kind of miracle) Michaela learnt to reign in her infamous temper. It was Michaela who put an end to the girl gang rivalry that spiraled out of control when Waterloo Road merged with another local school and after leaving with surprisingly good grades - she was determined to bag herself a decent career.
Since leaving Waterloo Road, Michaela's been working as a steward for a ninety-nine-pence-a-flight airline, on their Manchester to Glasgow run. She is doing very well (especially in her dealings with unruly passengers) and loves the 'high-flying' life-style. Her dream is to work her way up to flying transatlantic on the big shiny 747's.
Since leaving Waterloo Road, Michaela's been working as a steward for a ninety-nine-pence-a-flight airline, on their Manchester to Glasgow run. She is doing very well (especially in her dealings with unruly passengers) and loves the 'high-flying' life-style. Her dream is to work her way up to flying transatlantic on the big shiny 747's.
Paul Langley
Paul is the Robin to Bolton's Batman, the Gary Barlow to his Robbie Williams, and as a loyal wingman, spent most of school being overlooked by girls and teachers, who focused their attention on his best mate, Bolton. The day they were dishing out drive and ambition, Paul was at the back of the queue and he's always been happy to keep his head down if it meant an easy, drama-less life. Paul's a solid D-student and essentially a good lad, but will always be way too easily led.
These days, Paul is renting a room in Janeece's house and is devoted to girlfriend, Aleesha. Paul's got a part-time job on the checkouts at the local co-op and has got a 'fool-proof plan' for dipping the till. He hasn't told Aleesha what he's doing, but Aleesha doesn't ask how Paul can afford the nice presents he keeps buying her.
These days, Paul is renting a room in Janeece's house and is devoted to girlfriend, Aleesha. Paul's got a part-time job on the checkouts at the local co-op and has got a 'fool-proof plan' for dipping the till. He hasn't told Aleesha what he's doing, but Aleesha doesn't ask how Paul can afford the nice presents he keeps buying her.
Philip Ryan
Bumbling, awkward and radioactive when it comes to attracting girls - it's like Philip Ryan was given an anti-smooth vaccine at birth. Philip's quick, funny and endearing - in fairer universe he'd be popular, but at school he was the resident oddball, just desperate to be included. Philip's flakey mother, Melissa, dragged him around the country throughout his childhood, so when they finally settled at Waterloo Road, Philip quickly grew close to his reliable aunt. Unfortunately his 'Aunt Rachel' was known as 'Miss Mason' to everyone else and being outed as the Head Teacher's nephew, meant Philip kissed goodbye to his last remaining shred of street cred.
Since graduating Philip has been doing 'this and that'. He got a job in a bar but frightened the customers. He was lucky to bag work cleaning buses at nights but kept falling asleep on the back seat. He lasted two days in a bakery because he found the produce 'irresistible'. Philip's someone whose personality keeps getting in the way of a decent job and he's got a big lesson to learn - you have to adapt. Philip's living in a flat courtesy of Aunt Rachel. He's absolutely skint.
Since graduating Philip has been doing 'this and that'. He got a job in a bar but frightened the customers. He was lucky to bag work cleaning buses at nights but kept falling asleep on the back seat. He lasted two days in a bakery because he found the produce 'irresistible'. Philip's someone whose personality keeps getting in the way of a decent job and he's got a big lesson to learn - you have to adapt. Philip's living in a flat courtesy of Aunt Rachel. He's absolutely skint.