ACKLEY BRIDGE
Channel 4, 10pm
THE award-winning school drama returns for a fifth series, which to older viewers will feel like an updated Grange Hill with its mix of humour and hard-hitting storylines.
Expect more scams, plans and adventures in the school and on the estate as the series picks up with the lead trio, Johnny, Kayla and Fizza.
They are trying to navigate the second half of the school year, dealing with everything from love triangles and catfishing, to compulsive liars and one joyous (failed) Romany wedding. Marina (Megan Morgan) pulls a pulseracing stunt at school, designed to send her social media sky-high.
It causes outrage among parents and puts headteacher Martin (Robert James-Collier) under staff manager Ken’s boot. But Marina’s high is shortlived when she discovers that Jules (Gemma Paige North) has racked up debt and they’ve been evicted.
New teacher Asma (Laila Zaidi) arrives with ideals that capture the hearts of Fizza (Yasmin Al-Khudhairi) and Hassan (Hareet Deol).