He'll direct five episodes of the new 10-part series, with Reza Moradi directing the other 5 episodes.
Ackley Bridge is back for more high-jinx plans, scams, and mad-cap adventures in school and on the estate across 10 half-hour episodes.
Series five picks up with Johnny, Kayla and Fizza as they try to navigate the second half of the school year. Elsewhere, life gets complicated for Marina, Kayla’s popular Queen Bee sister, just as her younger brother Kyle, Ackley’s newest pupil and troublemaker, played by Adam Little, turns up at school, fresh out of juvie.
It’s been a year already jam-packed with love triangles, catfishing, compulsive liars and one utterly joyous (albeit failed) gypsy wedding. But it’s not over until the last school bell rings and there’s still plenty of time before the sun breaks on the summer holidays…
And for the adults, life is just as chaotic. Martin finds his role as Head under the spotlight as Ken - true to form – continues to be a raging pain in the proverbial. Things get trickier still for Martin when Asma, played by Laila Zaidi, Ackley’s new hotshot teacher joins the staff to immediately ruffle some feathers.
Kaneez is back at the beating heart of the school and is presented with her biggest challenge yet, in the form of new boy Kyle. Sue does her best to impress Ken which could lead to a change in career.
Channel 4's Commissioning Editor, Rebecca Holdsworth, said "I’m thrilled to be revisiting Ackley Bridge to see what is in store for our pupils and teachers. Series 5 promises the same trademark mix of funny, heartfelt and hard-hitting stories."
And Executive Producer for The Forge, George Ormond added "We’re delighted to be back for another series in our rowdy school and our left-behind town. It’s been a lot of fun coming up with series 5 and we can’t wait to share it."
Filming has already started in Halifax with Ashley Walters making directing debut for 5 episodes and Reza Moradi will direct the other 5 episodes.
Executive Producers are George Ormond, George Faber with lead writers and Executive Producers Suhayla El Bushra and Kim Revill. The new series is also produced by Jade Taylor and written by Damian Mullen, Alexander Stewart and Emteaz Hussain.
Ackley Bridge will return to Channel 4