GREENOCK-based TV series Waterloo Road is welcoming a new star.

Zoe Lucker, of EastEnders, Footballers’ Wives and Strictly Come Dancing, has joined the cast of the BBC One drama as the mother of a troublemaking family set to cause chaos in the award-winning show, which recently relocated to its new home at the former Greenock Academy.

Actress Zoe started shooting her first scenes this week as Carol Barry, the head of a hell-raising Liverpudlian criminal family who’ll cause a stir in Waterloo Road next year. With her husband in prison, Carol is lone-parent to unruly kids -- bad boy Barry and daughters Dynasty and Kacey played by Carl Au (Jersey Boys), Abby Mavers (Willy Russell’s Our Day Out) and newcomer Brogan Ellis.

In future episodes of the drama -- made by Shed Productions through BBC Scotland -- the Barry kids arrive at Waterloo Road as the newest recruits for the pupil referral unit set up headmaster Michael Byrne (played by Alec Newman).

The Barry family are set to make their on-screen debut next year.

Zoe said: “I’m delighted to join the cast of Waterloo Road and work with Shed and the BBC again. It’s a show I’ve always enjoyed and I’m thrilled to be part of the outrageous Barry family. They’re a family of great characters - you just wouldn’t want the Barrys in your neighbourhood!”

Cameron Roach, head of drama for Shed Productions and Executive Producer, Waterloo Road, said: “Zoe is a terrific addition to our ensemble cast. Iit is incredibly exciting to be working with her again after working together on Footballers' Wives. This time her character's not about the glamour but keeping the family together.”

Gaynor Holmes, executive producer for BBC Scotland, said: “We extend a warm welcome to Zoe as she arrives in Scotland. It’s very exciting to see Waterloo Road continue to attract such star casting as the show goes from strength to strength.”

Established Waterloo Road cast including Alec Newman, Philip Martin Brown, Jason Done, Jaye Jacobs, Melanie Hill and Daniela Denby-Ashe made the move to Scotland earlier this year to start filming the forthcoming eighth series.

Zoe Lucker is the latest addition to the Waterloo Road cast alongside Laurie Brett (EastEnders), Alex Norton (Taggart, Pirates of the Caribbean), Tommy Lawrence-Knight (Sarah Jane Adventures, Doctor Who), Georgie Glen (Foyle’s War, Heartbeat), Victoria Bush (Bad Girls) and Ron Donachie (Game of Thrones, Filth) alongside up-and-coming talent Kirstie Steele, Shane O’Meara, Adiza Shardow, Benjamin Gur, Jack MacAlister, Marlene Madenge and Paige Meade.

The former Greenock Academy school building has been transformed into the new Waterloo Road set and production base. Filming started in April on an initial 50 one-hour episode commission, to be filmed over two years.