List of Waterloo Road characters (series 9)

The following is a list of characters who first appear in the ninth series of the BBC school drama Waterloo Road, in order of first appearance. The ninth series consists of twenty episodes, first broadcast from 5 September 2013 to 12 March 2014. With the majority of new cast members already introduced in Series Eight, Science Teacher Sue Lowsley completes the main cast in episode one. New pupil characters include twins Lenny and Lisa Brown, Darren Hughes, Shaznay Montrose and Archie Wong. Episode ten sees the first appearance of Sue's sister Vix Spark, who continues in a supporting role for the rest of the series. Episode eleven introduces PE teacher Hector Reid to the main cast, and pupil Gabriella Wark to the supporting cast.

Series 9 was the last to feature the longest-running cast member and original character Grantly Budgen, played by Phillip Martin Brown after 8 years in the role.

Sue Lowsley

Sue Lowsley (née Spark), played by Vanessa Hehir, has appeared as a science teacher since the first episode of series 9, entitled 'Beyond the Call of Duty'.

Sue comes across as an excessively emotional and somewhat machiavellian, she appears to be more vulnerable than Simon and can be extremely naïve at times.

On her first day, Sue was struggling to control her class when it erupted like a volcano, so she turned to Barry Barry (Carl Au) to help control her unruly class. When Simon found out what his fiancée had been up to, he set out fix her mess in order to keep himself in the good books of headteacher, Christine Mulgrew (Laurie Brett). Simon and Sue kept their relationship a secret from the rest of the school, until Barry took Sue's phone whilst she was in the cupboard and saw that she last rang "Twinkle". The fire alarm then went off after Rhiannon Salt (Rebecca Craven) put a jelly baby into the science experiment which set the alarm off. When they were all outside Barry rang "Twinkle" and Simon answered the phone. Then the whole school found out about the relationship.

In episode 10; Simon and Sue eloped, despite already having a wedding planned for that day (which Sue's father, Robert, paid thousands towards). Sue texts her sister, Vix Spark (Kristin Atherton), informing her of the change of plans. However, as the couple requested, the reception of the previously-planned wedding continued in their absence. Upon their return to Waterloo Road, they continue life as a married couple and Vix makes several more appearances. Sue is unaccepting of the fact that Vix is gay, saying to her "you're not really gay, just confused", despite her being open about it for 10 years.

When Vix's relationship with her fiancée, Nikki Boston (Heather Peace), ends, Sue is her shoulder to cry on and is bitter towards Nikki, refusing to help her get into contact with her sister, thinking that it's whats best for Vix. Sue is disappointed when Vix announces she is leaving for Brussels but, is left furious when Vix reunites with Nikki and they leave together. When Sue continues to try and warn Vix about what she is doing, Hector takes her phone off her and he pulls her towards him leading to them to kiss.

Darren Hughes

Darren Hughes, played by Mark Beswick, has appeared as a student of Waterloo Road since the first episode of series 9, entitled 'Beyond the Call of Duty'.

Darren is shown to be a backstabbing, arrogant misogynist who is constantly bullying other kids at Waterloo Road. He does everything that Barry Barry (Carl Au) tells him to do and this always gets himself into trouble.

Lenny Brown

Leonard "Lenny" Brown, played by Joe Slater, has appeared as a student of Waterloo Road since the first episode of series 9, entitled 'Beyond the Call of Duty', alongside sister Lisa Brown (Caitlin Gillespie)

Lenny is a practical mirror image to his sister; kind, polite and reclusive. Although he is slightly less bitter towards Audrey McFall (Georgie Glen), he frequently contradicts his sister's vengeful ideas.

Lenny's older brother, Larry - who has looked after the twins since their mother's critical illness diagnoses - enrols Lisa & Lenny in Waterloo Road in episode 1. Audrey McFall (Georgie Glen) shows concern over the twins and pays a visit to Larry. She is shocked to discover a shifty Larry's cannabis farm and when he realises what she knows, he threatens her. While Audrey is away, Lenny gets a place in the school football team - to which he is delighted at and upon her return to school - Audrey phones the police about Larry. Larry arrives at the football match to support Lenny and while he is there, the police arrest him - causing Lisa & Lenny heartbreak.

Lisa then steals Audrey's cat, just after moving into the school's boarding house, because she is still furious with her following Larry's arrest. Lenny doesn't agree to it, but decides to go along with his sister. Audrey is frantic and posts ads online for her beloved missing cat. The next part of her plan against Audrey is getting her phone number and she pretends to be a married woman called Moira. She guilts Audrey into thinking her husband is ill and needs life saving treatment, but with a hefty sum of money. Audrey realises what is going on, and that Lisa is scamming her. She continues the scam further until Moira asks for some money. She then confronts Lisa and they have an argument.

Not knowing what to do, Audrey calls Lenny and Lisa's grandfather, a retired military officer. He arrives at Waterloo Road with no warning and demands to see his grandchildren. He is told he has to go through Social Services and is forced to leave. Soon after he returns, barges into the assembly, dressed in his military suit, with his medals. He tells his army force stories and wows all the children. He then gets a striking pain in his chest and the assembly is closed to a halt. Lenny is worried, but Lisa is mad. She steals his medals and sells them for 50 pounds, she is ripped off by the shop keeper. The shopkeeper takes the medals and pays her, then only to remark that he could get at least 250-500 for them. Out of rage, Lisa grabs money out of the till, bites the man and tries to run off, only to be pulled back and have her teacher called. When Audrey arrives, she pays for the medals and apologises to both the shopkeeper, and Lisa. When they get back to school, Lenny asks to move in with his grandfather, only if Lisa will, Lisa hugs her grandfather and told him he was told old for them to move in, but having a grandfather would be nice.

In episode 14; Lenny caused danger to himself and people around him as he and Darren Hughes (Mark Beswick) suspected a local shop of human trafficking. He and Darren had a stake out outside the shop and Lenny eventually sends Darren in to investigate. Despite cruel words from Lisa, Lenny alarms the police when he hears a backfire while Darren is inside. After causing a local crisis, he and Darren both apologise awkwardly, with Darren calling the staff prostitutes and pimps by accident.

Lisa Brown

Lisa’s had to grow up very fast – and she did. She’s a tigress when it comes to her family and will do anything and everything to protect them. She may have mellowed slightly while staying at the school camp but is still fiercely protective of twin Lenny – particularly after his run- in with a fake teacher last term.

Shaznay Montrose

Bolshy Shaznay is the sort of girl who never shuts up – something that makes her popular with her peers and less popular with the teachers. She’s become close mates with Lisa and they’re always egging each other on and getting into scrapes – although she despairs of Lisa’s tomboy approach to fashion and is always trying to give her girly make-overs.

Archie Wong

Archie is a naturally bright model pupil – but is conscious that he’s overshadowed by louder kids in his year. Beneath his quiet demeanor there lurks a sense of humour and a wry outlook on life, although sometimes his nerves cause him to say the wrong thing by mistake.

Vix Spark

She arrives looking for sister, Sue and falls in love with Nikki Boston. They date but Nikki sleeps with Hector, the PE teacher leaving Vix to leave and leaving Sue angry at Nikki for making her sister upset.

Hector Reid

Hector Reid is brought in by Simon to give a muscular beef to his new Resilience Education programme. Hector is good looking and confident, the kind of person who makes a big impression and people remember from any social gathering. The women of Waterloo Road soon fall under his spell. This could cause problems with one pupil in particular – but Hector’s got his eye firmly on someone in the staff room - Simon's wife Sue. Throughout the school term, he used his charms directly on Sue leading to a mutual attraction between the two. Having hid the affair for a few weeks, a result of miscommunication leads to Simon finding out resulting in the departure of all three characters as they all realise they need to move on to pastures new and leave the mess from Waterloo Road behind.

Gabriella Wark

New girl Gabriella is sent to Waterloo Road by her posh parents as a tough-love punishment for expulsion at her last school. There is a tragedy in Gabriella’s past for which her parents seem unable to forgive her. So in spite of growing up with all the advantages and opportunities that wealth brings, she has been starved of love. As a result, she has developed into a very troubled young woman – and one who struggles to make friends. Instead Gabriella focuses her attentions on attractive P.E. teacher, Hector Reid. This blonde bombshell, is not only beautiful but extremely smart and always finds a way to get what she wants. Don’t let those blue eyes persuade you otherwise, this girl isn’t as angelic as she looks!

Gabriella joined in Series 9 on episode 11 where she struggled to fit in with the other students and couldn't help causing trouble, leading to her temporary departure of the show due to her non-reciprocated involvement with Hector resulting in her suspension. Gabriella made a return in Episode 4 of Series 10 where storylines included her trying to prove she has changed from her old mischievous ways, and also being bullied by other students, climaxing into an accident where she nearly drowns. She departed in Episode 10 of this series where she graduated from Waterloo Road along with Harley Taylor and Kacey Barry.

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