Ackley Bridge
Series 3
DVD cover
Country of originUnited Kingdom
No. of episodes8
Release
Original networkChannel 4
Original release18 June (2019-06-18) –
6 August 2019 (2019-08-06)
Series chronology
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Series 2
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Series 4
List of episodes

The third series of the British television drama series Ackley Bridge began broadcasting on 18 June 2019 on Channel 4, and ended on 6 August 2019.[1] The series follows the lives of the staff and pupils at the fictional multi-cultural academy school Ackley Bridge College, in the fictitious Yorkshire mill town of Ackley Bridge.[2] It consists of eight sixty-minute episodes.[3][4]

Production and casting

Production and filming on the series began in January 2019 in Halifax, West Yorkshire.[5] In November 2018, Ackley Bridge put out an open casting for boys aged 15 to 18 of Polish ethnicity.[6] In January 2019, the castings of Charlie Hardwick and Rob James-Collier were announced; Hardwick was cast as Sue Carp, director of pupil behaviour, whilst James-Collier was cast as the new deputy headteacher and Emma Keane's (Liz White) replacement as an English teacher, Martin Evershed.[7][8][9] Hardwick said she is "absolutely over the moon to be joining" the show, complimenting the "fantastic characters and brilliantly-sharp storytelling."[10] Hardwick describes Sue as "belligerent and unwilling" and who is "solely concerned with counting down the next ten years to her retirement" rather than the welfare of the students.[10] James-Collier said he is "thrilled" of his casting and called the young actors "fearless and talented."[10] Upon completion of filming, Mountview graduates Hareet Deol and Adrian Nik were revealed to have joined the cast;[11] Deol portrays new PE teacher Hassan Hussein,[7][12] whilst Nik was cast as Yusef Ibrahim.[13][14] The additions of George Potts, as Mandy's new "nightmare" boss Ken Weaver,[15] and Phoebe Tuffs-Berry, as Year 10 "bad girl" Rukhsana, were announced shortly before the trailer's release.[16] Natalie Gavin was later revealed to be playing Sam's "formidable" mum, fresh out of prison, Nadine Murgatroyd.[17][18] In the third episode of the series, Ty Glaser was introduced as the stand-in headteacher, Sian Oakes.[19]

Cast

Main article: Characters of Ackley Bridge

Main

Featured

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
series		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date [22]UK viewers
(millions) [23]
191"Oxford Dreams"Penny WoolcockAyub Khan-Din18 June 2019 (2019-06-18)1.52
Missy wakes up next to Pete in Nasreen's bed, a ride operator from the fair she and Nasreen went to the previous night, and Nasreen, her family and friends are delighted when she gets an interview for Oxford University. Mandy has to deal with two new students placed at the school by the Valley Trust, following a new intake, as well as the new staff. Missy and Nasreen both go to Oxford and Nasreen becomes put off by fellow potential students and admits her embarrassment to Missy before running off; Missy encourages Nasreen to remain in Oxford for her interview. A new Year 10 student, Rukhsana Ibrahim, is sent to Sue Carp, the new director of pupil behaviour, by Rashid, but Sue sends her away and she is caught by Kaneez graffitiing a wall of the school and Nasreen completes her interview, pleased by how it went. When they return to Ackley Bridge, Missy hides her upset about the prospect of her being away from Nasreen, so she finds Pete to talk about what she wants. Nadine Murgatroyd is released from prison and heads to Ackley Bridge; she bursts into Martin Evershed's (the new deputy headteacher and English teacher) lesson to take her daughter, Sam, and niece, Candice. Martin tricks Nadine into an empty classroom and locks her in but Mandy orders Martin to release her. Mandy meets with Martin and Sue to ask for their support; Sue believes she, Martin and the new intake are Valley Trust rejects despite Martin boasting. After school, Kaneez gets Mandy to confess that the school has been changed by the Valley Trust. Missy and Hayley meet with Simone, who has converted to Islam and has a new boyfriend, who has three children. Missy informs Nasreen that she is quitting school to join the fair and Nasreen's reaction causes Missy upset. At school, Missy slaps Nasreen when she accuses Missy of throwing her life away, and in a staff meeting, Mandy loses her cool with the teachers by branding their lessons boring, which Martin agrees with. Kaneez encourages Nasreen to make up with Missy and advices Nasreen she has to let Missy go; Nasreen explains to Missy that she wanted things to remain the same whilst at Oxford. On their way home, Missy and Nasreen are knocked over by a car.
202"Consequences"Penny WoolcockRichard Davidson25 June 2019 (2019-06-25)1.51
Nasreen wakes up in hospital after believing she was in heaven whilst unconscious whilst Missy has two broken arms and Simone arrives to take care of Missy. Martin is left in charge of keeping an eye on the new PE teacher, Hassan. When Missy goes to bed, she is shocked when she wakes up and her grandmother, Nana Booth, is there and when Nasreen goes to visit Missy, she is distraught to find Missy dead, caused by an internal bleeding. Mandy breaks the news to the 6th form of Missy's death. Sam reluctantly agrees to Nasreen's request to hurt Anwar; the man who killed Missy. A horrified Nasreen later watches a video of Sam's cousins beating up Anwar, which spreads around the school and causes racial division in the school because it was three white men beating up the driver, who was Muslim; Hayley is glad about what happened. Nasreen is angry with herself and Sam initially about the racial division she has caused. On his way home, Cory is attacked by a group of Muslim men, which causes a fight in the canteen. Martin is unimpressed with Hassan when he sides with the Muslim students and Kaneez is angry with Nasreen when she discovers she was responsible for the attack. Nasreen meets with Anwar, who apologises but he does not expect an apology from Nasreen and Nasreen insists the racial violence needs to stop. Martin doubts Hassan's ability to end the tension and Martin and Hassan take the students on a long walk to enable the students to end the feud. When things start to become racist amongst the students, Sam insists they should be ashamed because of Missy and Nasreen visits Nadine to ask her to help put a stop to the violence before Missy's funeral. After Missy's funeral, Nasreen and Razia take Hayley to the school, where the students do a lantern release. Emma visits Mandy at Ackley Bridge after handing in her notice at her work place and Hassan starts a girls Rugby team. Mandy meets with Nasreen and Kaneez to tell her she has been accepted into Oxford University, but Nasreen decides to quit school and Nasreen later imagines a conversation with Missy, discussing her choice to quit school and their friendship.
213"Nothing Else to Say"Sarmad MasudKim Revill2 July 2019 (2019-07-02)1.41
Rashid proposes to Kaneez in the supermarket and she accepts; Kaneez looks at wedding outfits, Year 12 suggest stag do ideas to Rashid and Naveed finds out Nasreen works in a tea towel factory as a packer. Mandy, Martin, Sue and Ken meet to discuss the 40% absence of the school's Asian pupils, where Ken doubts integration happening, and a surprise engagement party is thrown for Kaneez and Rashid, but an overwhelmed Kaneez ends the party and engagement. Naveed holds a house party and after Chloe comforts Nasreen, Nasreen kisses Chloe and after the party, Naveed announces to Nasreen he got accepted into drama school; Nasreen and Naveed are shocked to find Chloe and Cory in his parents bed. Because of Kaneez's attitude, Rashid loses his patience with his class and Mandy and Kaneez go round the area to get students back to school, but Kaneez is terrorised by a gang, and Mandy meets with Mr Hussein, a governor of Calderdale Muslim Academy and father of Hassan, who explains parents are refusing to send their children to school because they believe it is too White. Rashid warns the gang who terrorised Kaneez not to do so again and after they find out, Ken insists Rashid is placed in another of the trust's academy, but Rashid hands in his resignation. Mandy goes to visit Sadiq to ask for his help to organise a meeting and is persuaded to do so by Riz. Kaneez visits Rashid to tell him that she does love him, but does not want marriage due to her previous marriage, and they reconcile. When Mandy meets with parents to try and convince them to send their children back to Ackley Bridge and insists on their presence at a cricket match.;the cricket match seems to be an unsuccessful idea, but people soon turn up. When Rashid turns up, Kaneez defends him, as do the students and Mandy suggests to Kaneez she applies for the position of student support officer. Mandy is introduced to her temporary replacement by Ken, Sian Oakes.
224"The Family Business"Sarmad MasudFaryal Velmi9 July 2019 (2019-07-09)1.36
Nasreen and Sam are caught shoplifting and Rashid puts Kaneez through a practise interview for the student support officer job. Sam's family celebrate her being brought home by the police whilst Kaneez is furious with Nasreen receiving a caution. Sian takes assembly with the 6th form and Sam is furious with Sadiq taking her captaincy, due to her arrest; Martin visits Sam and Nadine about the shoplifting and to encourage Sam to work hard at school. Sue recommends a candidate to Mandy for the student support officer and disregards Kaneez and Year 10 student Kacey is embarrassed by Rukhsana when she has her period in Sue's class. Sam is taken to Martin's house by her family, where they break in; Sam is caught by Martin's children and nearly by Martin. Rukhsana apologises to Kacey about teasing her over her period, who explains she is out of tampons her family get from the food bank and Sam loses her cool with Martin when she believes he implies her family is scum. After Cory and Naveed have identical homework on sexually transmitted diseases, Rashid gets them to read it out loud in unison and Naveed confesses to copying Cory. Sam admits to Nasreen her family broke into Martin's house and tries to justify her actions, which angers Nasreen. Nadine talks to Sam about their family, trust and loyalty and shows Sam affection and Nasreen breaks down over her confused identity and missing Missy and is comforted by Kaneez; Kaneez urges Nasreen to return to school. Rukhsana drops off sanitary products at Kacey's house and Sam learns Nadine was prepared to leave her in Martin's house during the break in; her upset does not bother Nadine. Sam visits Martin, who works out Sam broke in and lectures her as she breaks down. Sam apologises to Nasreen but Nasreen rejects a reconciliation and Sam goes to the police. Kacey thanks Rukhsana for the sanitary products and invites her for tea. Mandy gets enthusiastic in Kaneez's student support officer interview and, when Kaneez shows passion for the job, Mandy offers her the job. After having tea at Kacey's, Rukshana puts on a hijab and Mandy and Sian discover Cory is working as a waiter and he copied Naveed's homework, so Sian offers to arrange extra study sessions. Sam realises Nadine arrange the robbery to get back at Martin caring for her and because she doesn't know Sam as well since being in prison; Nadine is then arrested.
235"Nowhere to Stay"Rachna SuriAdam Usden16 July 2019 (2019-07-16)1.19
Kevin gets angry when he catches Cory with his girlfriend Gemma and orders him not to return home. Cory and Naveed go clubbing, where Sian is. Sian and her husband leave and afterwards, Cory stays at Naveed's; Naveed is disgusted about Cory sleeping with Gemma. Sam leaves home after she is threatened with being kicked out by her relatives and Naveed is confronted by his parents after his mother suspects that Cory is his boyfriend. Mandy organises extra tuition for Nasreen, which overwhelms her, and Naveed explains to Cory he loves him but wants Cory to let him go, causing Cory to lose his temper. Sian steps in to calm him down; Cory admits he slept with Kevin's girlfriend to Sian, when she is going to phone Kevin, and attempts to explain how sex makes him feel important and appreciated. Kevin refuses to let Cory return home. Mandy visits Nasreen to reassure her it does not matter what University she goes to. The staff throw a surprise party for Mandy before her maternity leave and when Martin finds out that Cory and Sam are homeless, a hostel place is found for Sam by him, Mandy and Sian. Mandy goes to the hospital when she starts having contractions and Cory is taken to Sian's house for the night and meets Sian's fiancé, Tim; Cory makes a pass at Sian. Sian contacts Kevin to discuss Cory's behaviour and Mandy brings her baby son home, which is disorganised, so she asks Kaneez for help. With Sue's presence, Sian tells Cory that Kevin will allow him home. Cory is challenged to make a curry and Nasreen accompanies Naveed to his tap dancing class. Sue and Sian are impressed with Cory's curry, which he got from a takeaway, and Sian drops Cory off at home. Sian talks to Martin when the hostel contacts her about him being in Sam's room at the hostel with the door shut, so she reminds him of safeguarding, and she issues Cory with detention for not wearing his tie. Nasreen sets Naveed up with Matthew from his dance class before she and Kaneez visit Mandy and Sian and Cory kiss after she keeps him back after detention and they then have sex in Sian's car.
246"They Don't Know Nothing"Rachna SuriNatalie Mitchell23 July 2019 (2019-07-23)1.22
After a night out bowling, Rukhsana returns home to care for her mother and, when her brother, Yusef, comes home, he slaps Rukhsana because she spent the night out and paid for bowling by taking from the family savings. Rukhsana sets off the fire alarm in cooking after branding Sue a racist for her approach to cultural cooking. Candice receives a week's external exclusion for assaulting Dan due to him being horrible to her in a "hunt a munter" competition set up by the 6th form boys and she bumps into Mandy; Candice confides in Mandy about Dan and how she is teased about being a teenage mother. After school, Rukhsana finds Yusef packing her stuff into the car, with the plan of her being sent to an uncle in Leicester, but on the way there, she escapes from the car. When Mandy informs Sian of the 6th form boys "hunt a munter" competition, they are reprimanded by Martin and Sian and Sian ends things with Cory. Rukhsana runs to Kacey's and makes Kacey agree to hiding her; in retaliation to Yusef, she prints out and puts censored naked pictures of him up around town. Yusef lies to Kaneez about Rukhsana being in Leicester when she visits her home and when she goes home, Yusef declares how difficult Rukhsana makes his life and that he has been sacked, so he leaves home, which Rukhsana is pleased about. Hayley forces Riz to do things for her to make up for what happened to Candice and Rukhsana begins looking after her family. After failing to show up on the 6th form night out, Nasreen encourages Sam to sneak out and take her motorbike from her family's house; Nasreen and Sam kiss. Rukhsana's family is visited by loan shark, Linda, who says the family is four months behind on rent and wants them out, but Rukhsana tracks down Yusef and asks for him to return home. Sian tells Cory she made a mistake over her ending things and Nasreen tells Kaneez that she and Sam are back together. Kaneez arranges for Yusef to pick up his and Rukhsana's younger sisters to allow Rukhsana to play in a rugby match and Yusef allows Rukhsana to go bowling.
257"Rumors"Jo JohnsonNicôle Lecky and Kim Revill30 July 2019 (2019-07-30)1.18
The news of Cory's relationship with Sian is spread around school, except it is believed it is with Mandy; Cory is called to see Mandy and Sian and he takes the blame of starting the rumour and the staff discuss the promise raffle in aid of the girls rugby team. At the girls rugby team, Kacey is selected to be the co-coach with Sadiq, but she is hurt with the implication that she is not wanted to play the match. Kacey opens up to Rukhsana about her absent father, who she knows used to work in a takeaway. Sian is furious with Cory for telling Riz about their relationship, so Sian decides to end their relationship and Cory thinks about exposing their relationship; Sian visits Mandy and tells Mandy that Cory made a pass at her when he stayed with her and Sian is insistent on sorting things herself. Mandy visits Cory to tell him what Sian has alleged, which angers Cory and Kacey and Rukhsana go around all the shops on the high street in search of her father, but they are caught by Martin and Kacey confides in her mother Debbie, Martin and Su that she was looking for her father. Nasreen's sexuality becomes knowledge when she wins a date with Riz at the promise raffle and Debbie visits Sadiq to inform him that Kacey is his daughter and she is going to tell Kacey about her paternity. Cory goes to Sian's house, where he and Tim confront each other and Cory hits Tim; Cory tells Mandy about his relationship with Sian. Mandy interrupts Sian's hen do to inform her of Tim's assault and she admits to Mandy that she has been having a relationship with Cory and Mandy offers her support for when they see Ken. Debbie tells Kacey about Sadiq being her father. At school, Nasreen is furious with Chloe and Hayley for causing the spread of news about her sexuality and Sadiq asks Farida for her support in seeing Kacey after telling her. After Cory is arrested for ABH, Riz and Alia tell Martin and Su with Sian's presence about Sian and Cory. After winning a makeover from Candice, Su shows it off to her husband, who mocks her new look, Cory is charged with assault causing ABH and after being sacked, Sian takes back her confession about sleeping with Cory, blaming it on her drunken state. At school, Nasreen confronts students teasing her about her sexuality and announces she is a lesbian. Martin is appointed as acting headteacher and the investigation procedure is explained to Cory by Mandy and Martin. Kacey gets herself back onto the rugby team by using Sadiq's name and Sadiq and Kacey bond over bowling. Cory is located at Sian's house and tries to get Sian to admit to their relationship, but her denial hurts Cory.
268"A Bright Rosy Future"Jordan HoggAyub Khan Din6 August 2019 (2019-08-06)1.14
Nasreen struggles when Simone discusses with Hayley and the Parachas about scattering Missy's ashes and she struggles with her exam whilst Cory fails to turn up. Mandy visits Cory at home, who asks him to return to school but Cory fails to see the point of it; Mandy asks Martin and Su to help Cory return and Mandy assigns Su with the job of building Cory's confidence. When Naveed and his parents work out the finances of Drama school costs, he is against them remortgaging their house and Nasreen chooses to give up on University. Nasreen and Naveed plan away to raise the money needed and after a comedy show he puts on is unsuccessful, Nasreen puts forward the idea that she moves to Manchester with him; Nasreen asks Sam to join him and Naveed in Manchester and she agrees and when she informs Kaneez and Rashid of her plans, Kaneez is upset. Su takes Cory to the shops and allows him to buy ingredients for cooking. Alia is unhappy to learn Kacey is her half-sister and Su arranges for Cory to cook for Zain's father with the promise of being allowed to cook at the restaurant if his food is liked; Cory admits to Su his previous curry was from a takeaway and he is told to improve on that. Cory is pleased when he is offered the job. Kaneez agrees to join Nasreen, Naveed, Sam and Rashid by taking a look at Manchester including the flat, the LGBT community and life and Kaneez gives her blessing. On results day, Nasreen is disappointed, but not surprised, with her grades, Riz and Naveed are happy with their grades and Alia gets top grades and the Year 13s go out to celebrate. Kacey speaks to Alia about not being angry with Sadiq due to him being young and how he has taken responsibility and is a good man and Cory gets angry with Naveed when Naveed doesn't believe his idea that he and Sian would have been together and over Naveed's concern for his recent behaviour. Cory then breaks down as he comes to the realisation about the negative impact of the relationship on him as Naveed comforts him. Instead of going food shopping, Kaneez goes to Oxford University to explain recent circumstances in Nasreen's life that caused her to slightly miss her needed grade and then how she now understands why Nasreen wanted to come to the University, believing she deserves to attend. When Kaneez returns home, she explains to her family and friends she went to Oxford University to talk about Nasreen as well as being a way of taking back control of their hard time and she breaks the news Nasreen has been awarded her place back; Kaneez encourages Nasreen to take the opportunity despite her reluctance and Naveed is happy for her. Naveed's parents decide to sell jewellery to raise money for him and Cory tells Mandy, Martin and Su that he wishes to retake Year 13. Before leaving, Alia arranges for Sadiq and Kacey to meet and she tells Sadiq that Kacey needs him before making up with Sadiq. Sam is upset when Nasreen tells her she is going to Oxford University. Nasreen scatters Missy's ashes and says goodbye to her family and friends as the skip she and Missy use to hang out on is taken away. Nasreen and Kaneez say goodbye at the train station and Nasreen departs from Ackley Bridge.

Notes

  1. ^ Friar is credited as part of the main cast but only appears in 2 episodes.
  2. ^ White is credited as part of the main cast but only appears in 1 episode.

References

  1. ^ Bley Griffiths, Eleanor (23 May 2018). "Exclusive Ackley Bridge trailer reveals major drama coming in series two". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  2. ^ Ankers, Wayne (7 June 2017). "Where is new TV drama Ackley Bridge set?". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Archived from the original on 9 June 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  3. ^ Houghton, Rianne (21 August 2018). "Channel 4 confirms a third series of Ackley Bridge after emotional final episode". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  4. ^ Spencer, Samuel (22 August 2018). "Ackley Bridge series 3 release date: Will there be another series?". Daily Express. Archived from the original on 19 June 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  5. ^ Kellett, Abigail (21 January 2018). "Channel 4 film crews spotted in Halifax town centre filming for Ackley Bridge". Halifax Courier. Archived from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  6. ^ "We are looking for a new regular character for Ackley Bridge Series 3. If you meet the criteria listed and are interested, please get in touch! #casting". 13 November 2018. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  7. ^ a b "TRAILER | Ackley Bridge | New Series | Starts Tues 18th". YouTube. 7 June 2019. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  8. ^ Lindsay, Duncan (16 January 2019). "Emmerdale star Charlie Hardwick aka Val Pollard is cast in Ackley Bridge series three". Metro. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  9. ^ Wilson, Victoria (11 June 2019). "Rob James-Collier on joining Ackley Bridge: 'Martin doesn't care about rules'". What's on TV. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  10. ^ a b c Lee, Jess (16 January 2019). "Former Emmerdale star Charlie Hardwick joins Ackley Bridge cast for series 3". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on 12 February 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2019.
  11. ^ @MountviewLDN (29 April 2019). "Brilliant news from our grads @HareetDeol and @Arian_Nik both appearing in Ackley Bridge Series 3💫💫" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "HAREET DEOL". Spotlight. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  13. ^ "ADRIAN NIK". Spotlight. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  14. ^ @Arian_Nik (25 April 2019). "A blast filming on Ackley Bridge Series 3. Hitting @Channel4 this summer. It's gonna be mint" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ^ "George Potts". United Agents. Archived from the original on 27 September 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  16. ^ "Ackley Bridge: Series Overview". Channel 4. 31 May 2019. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  17. ^ Bley Griffiths, Eleanor (11 June 2019). "When is Ackley Bridge back on TV? Who's in it and what's going to happen?". Radio Times. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  18. ^ "Natalie Gavin". Curtis Brown. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  19. ^ Watson, Fay (9 July 2019). "Ackley Bridge: Who is Sian Oakes? Who is actor Ty Glaser?". Express.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 July 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  20. ^ "Antonio Aakeel - CV". Curtis Brown. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  21. ^ "Vicky Myers (@actvicky)". Twitter. Archived from the original on 24 December 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  22. ^ "Ackley Bridge Episodes". TV Time. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  23. ^ "Four-screen dashboard | BARB". Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
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