Ackley Bridge has been hugely popular since it first landed on screens back in 2017. The comedy-drama, which airs on Channel 4, tells the story of a multi-cultural college of the same name and all the goings-on that occur both between the students and the teachers.
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And now, after a brief COVID push-back, the show is back for a brand new series complete with new storylines and new faces, as well as some familiar ones the audience has come to know and love. Ahead of the episode one, meet the main cast here…
Sunetra Sarker as Kaneez Paracha
Kaneez is a student support worker at the school and mum to Razia, Saleem and Nasreen. She's played by actress Sunetra Sarker who viewers will recognise from roles in Casualty, The Bay and No Angels.
© Photo: Channel 4Sunetra Sarker reprises her role as Kaneez Paracha
Charlie Hardwick as Sue Carp
Charlie Hardwick joined the show in series three taking on the part of Sue Carp, the Director of Behaviour at Ackley Bridge. Actress Charlie is perhaps best-known for her part in Emmerdale as Val Pollard – a role she performed for over ten years.
© Photo: Channel 4Charlie Hardwick as Sue Carp
Jo Joyner as Mandy Carter
EastEnders fans will recognise Jo Joyner from her part as Tanya Branning but she's also appeared in BBC crime drama Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators. In Ackley Bridge, she plays Mandy Carter, headmistress at the college.
© Photo: Channel 4Jo Joyner as headmistress Mandy Carter
Robert James Collier as Martin Evershed
Ackley Bridge's deputy headteacher is Martin Evershed, played by Robert James Collier. Robert is also known for credits such as Downton Abbey, Coronation Street and Death in Paradise.
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© Photo: Channel 4Robert James Collier plays the deputy headteacher
Nazmeen Kauser as Razia Paracha
Razia is the daughter of Sunetra Sarker's character Kaneez and is a pupil at Ackley Bridge. Nazmeen Kauser's perhaps best-known for her part in the Channel 4 drama, but we see a bright future ahead for the young star!
Megan Parkinson as Sam
Sam Murgatoyd is also a pupil at the college and faced a difficult time in the past after living in a youth centre. Game of Thrones fans will recognise Megan from the HBO show, as well as Harlots and Strike.
© Photo: Channel 4Megan Parkinson as Sam in Ackley Bridge
Carla Woodcock as Marina
One of the newer faces on the show is Marina – a new student joining Ackley Bridge and sister of Kayla. Marina is played by Carla Woodcock who has appeared in shows such as Free Rein, Emmerdale and Pandora.
© Photo: Channel 4Marina in Ackley Bridge
Robyn Cara as Kayla
Kayla is new to the show but was previously already a student at Ackley Bridge. Playing the part of Kayla is Robyn Cara whose credits include, We Die Young and Hounslow Diaries.
© Photo: Channel 4Robyn Cara as Kayla
Cody Ryan as Hayley
Hayley is another student who had a tough time during her teenage years after the death of her sister, Missy. She's played by Cody Ryan, who you may recognise from The Moorside and Casualty.
Many other fantastic actors appear in Ackley Bridge including, Zara Salim, Phoebe Tuffs-Berry, Shobhit Piasa and Yasmin Al Khudhairi.
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