Jo Joyner

Ackley Bridge set to return for a fourth series

Rob James-Collier, Jo Joyner and Sunetra Sarker (Credit: Channel 4)

Instead of 60-minute weekly episodes, the new ten-part series will now be 30 minutes.

Ackley Bridge was inspired by real-life Lancashire and Yorkshire schools, which had been set up to help integrate white and Asian communities in some of the most divided towns in the country.

The RTS award-winning series has been praised for tackling real-life issues with intelligence and sensitivity, creating hard-hitting and thought-provoking stories.

Channel 4 releases first look at drama The ABC

The ABC follows two comprehensive schools in Yorkshire, largely divided by white and Asian populations, that are merged into a new academy, Ackley Bridge College.

The drama series will explore the turbulent school experience, covering the challenges of prejudice and cultural issues in the school environment, as well as the humour, relationships and conflict had by the pupils, teachers and parents.