Hollyoaks legend joins major TV show as her career continues to take off | Soaps

After breaking hearts in a tragic cancer storyline, former Hollyoaks star Niamh Blackshaw is bringing her acting talents to another popular show.

It was announced that the 26-year-old star, who played Juliet Nightingale in the Channel 4 soap, is joining the cast of Waterloo Road.

Although Niamh's casting has not yet been officially announced, The Sun reports that it was leaked by a director on Instagram who tagged her in slate pictures taken while filming the new series.

Niamh left Hollyoaks in 2023 after five years in the role of Juliet, who died following an incurable cancer diagnosis.

The actress, who is in a real-life relationship with her former Hollyoaks co-star Angus Castle-Doughty aka Eric Foster, has since appeared in the role of Rosie in the hit BBC drama The Jetty.

Niamh had previously spoken about having “complicated” feelings about her exit from Hollyoaks.

She told Metro.co.uk last year: “I was very open to different ways I could leave the show and this exit felt like a very powerful, complete story that I really wanted to tell.”

“But of course I love the character deeply and I feel sorry for her – we have all mourned the loss of a fictional character at some point in our lives!”

She continued: “I am glad to have accompanied her to the end. I believe in chapters, I think they are very important.

“Of course I will miss a lot of things and I am very grateful for everything I was able to experience.”

Niamh is one of many new faces appearing in the new season of Waterloo Road alongside new headmaster Steve Savage (Jason Manford) and maths teacher Nisha Chandra (Saira Choudhry).

It was previously announced that Nathan Wood will join the cast as loudmouth Boz Osbourne, Matthew Khan (“A Good Girl's Guide to Murder”) will play the charming Jared Jones, and Danny Murphy (“The Parts You Lose”) will take on the role of Luca Smith, a bright new student who is deaf.

Sonya Nisa (Damsel) and Miya Ocego (Wreck) are also in the cast, as are Aleena Quereshi and Lois Taylor-Brown, who are part of Stace Neville's crew.

Waterloo Road airs Tuesdays at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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