Channel 4's Ackley Bridge is back with another round of school drama, racial tensions and more life lessons
Get ready to explore modern Britain with irreverence, wit, close to the knuckle humor, larger than life characters and big-hearted stories through Channel 4’s 8 p.m school drama, Ackley Bridge, which is back for 12 brand new episodes.
The show's plot revolves around an academy situated in the racially divided Yorkshire town of Ackley Bridge, and it explores the ups and downs of friendships, family life and relationships of both the teachers and pupils of the college.
Following up with the first series, the second series will explore some of the harder hitting issues that affect such communities up and down Britain. It showcases Nas’ need to navigate her traditional background and her modern sexual and emotional identity. Kaneez, on the other hand, finds her newfound independence a challenge as well as an opportunity. And of course, Jordan attempts to make something of himself despite strained relationships with his family.
Still, the most touching aspect of the show happens to be pupils who are vulnerable, not just from gangs but the dangers that lurk at home, and the very real ramifications of squeezed budgets and failing students threatening the very future of the school.
The trailer was quite the explosive insight into what viewers can expect in series 2. Right at the very beginning, Nas can be seen walking through the streets of the Yorkshire town Ackley Bridge, saying: "Deception, untruth, camouflage. Life’s never what it seems."
But there are several certainties awaiting this season, like Kaneez finally learning to drive. Lingering questions about whether Nas will find a hot girlfriend or end up marrying a guy - or what happens of Missy's love affair are yet to be answered though.
In short, much like the first series portrayed, Ackley Bridge's series 2 promises showcasing a plethora of social issues like racial tension, infidelity, sexuality, revenge porn, young fatherhood and also grief. The show has been described as gritty yet playful, frank, yet funny. Ackley Bridge looks at the challenges and opportunities that come with integration, in its own unique way.
Jo Joyner, Paul Nicholls, Sunetra Sarker, Liz White, Adil Ray, Arsher Ali, Poppy Lee-Friar and Amy Leigh-Hickman return for series two and are joined by Tony Jayawardena and Adam Fielding. Kimberley Walsh and Vicky Entwistle will be guest starring.
Created by Ayub Khan Din (East is East), Kevin Erlis (Shameless) and Malcolm Campbell (What Richard Did, Shameless), Ackley Bridge is executive produced by George Ormond (National Treasure, Great Expectations), George Faber (Shameless, Skins) and Ayub.
Alexander Lamb (EastEnders, Waterloo Road) is serving as producer and Matt Evans, Perrie Balthazar, Ayub, Richard Davidson, Ishy Din, Natalie Mitchell, Faryal Velmi, Lisa Holdsworth, Maya Sondhi and Stephen Russell are all on board with writing for the show.
