Ackley Bridge Series 1

After years of racial segregation in a small Yorkshire town, two high schools integrate white and Pakistani students by combining into Ackley Bridge College. But the transition is far from easy for teachers and students alike. Headmistress Mandy (Jo Joyner, EastEnders) clashes with her husband, PE teacher Steve (Paul Nicholls, Law & Order: UK), and free-spirited English teacher Emma (Liz White, Life on Mars) deals with her daughter showing up drunk to class. Troublemaker Jordan (Samuel Bottomley, Wolf Hall) creates enemies by disparaging the school, while best friends Missy (Poppy Lee Friar, Mr Selfridge) and Nasreen (Amy-Leigh Hickman, EastEnders) quarrel when vivacious Missy doesn’t fit in with Nasreen’s conservative Muslim friends. Will Ackley Bridge unite the community—or tear it apart? Tackling complex issues like racism, homophobia, and religious discrimination with clarity and compassion, this timely drama also provides a “very funny insight into modern Britain” (The Australian). The excellent ensemble cast features Adil Ray (Citizen Khan), Anneika Rose (Line of Duty), Arsher Ali (The Missing), and Sunetra Sarker (Broadchurch).