Cameron Roach

The future of the RTS, especially in the regions, is about ensuring that it has a relevance and a clear purpose. And this must be a real purpose for all – from new recruits to industry heavyweights. We need events that inspire, challenge and make us question the direction of travel for our sector, while ensuring there are opportunities to make new connections and unexpected partnerships.

Since the pandemic, it is true that we have all been grappling with the best forum to have conversation and debate, and thinking about the spaces and places in which we come together.

‘I’m incredibly honoured,’ said Roach. ‘The North West has a long history of exceptional programme-making
and enabling the next generation of talent – and the RTS has always celebrated and supported both.’ 

Theresa Wise, CEO of the RTS, said: ‘As the UK production sector returns to full swing, the work of our regional centres is central to supporting the work of our wonderful television community.’ 

It felt good to be in a room full of people at the RTS Cambridge Convention last month: great sessions and speakers, brilliantly curated by Ben McOwen Wilson of YouTube. Of course, there was much drama when John Whittingdale stepped in for outgoing culture secretary Oliver Dowden, but this was a great way of demonstrating to the UK broadcasting industry that the Government knows better than most what constitutes great drama.  

The new series will be set and made in Greater Manchester and co-produced by Wall To Wall and Rope Ladder Fiction.

Waterloo Road originally aired on the BBC from 2006 to 2015, during which time it became one of the UK’s most popular and longest-running TV dramas.

With the pandemic came greater awareness of the challenges teachers, parents and pupils face that have become even more pronounced due to lockdown restrictions. The new series will explore these important issues and more.