Jonah Kirby is a former pupil of Waterloo Road. He is the son of Marcus Kirby and brother of Ruth.
History
When Jonah first arrived at Waterloo Road, he had been chafing under the restrictive bonds of homeschooling for some time. Homeschooled by doting parents who accept him for who he is, Jonah is authentic and comfortable in his own skin. Jonah wanted to stay at Waterloo Road, but his sister Ruth Kirby didn't want to. In Series 6 Episode 1, Ruth ran away and Jonah helped look for her because he loved his sister and cared for her a lot. When Ruth was found, Jonah told their dad Marcus Kirby that talking to girls and having mates mattered to him, so he wanted to stay in Waterloo Road and not be different to all the other students. Soon, he formed a bond with Jess Fisher, and then they became a couple. Three episodes later he realised that Jess had previously had an affair with Chris Mead, following which he assaulted Chris and didn't tell Headteacher Karen Fisher why, because otherwise it would spill the secret of Chris and Jess's one night stand. Jonah then broke up with Jess because she kept secrets from him and he couldn't trust her anymore.
In Series 6B when Jonah finds himself comforting Francesca Montoya after a brutal dog attack at the start of term, it sparks a secret love affair. For Jonah, she is the perfect woman, funny, kind, beautiful, and he quickly falls head over heels in love with her. Their relationship became even more serious once "Cesca" found out she was pregnant and the couple ran away to Gretna Green to get married, much to the annoyance of his dad Marcus. When they leave the registry office they are greeted by the police, who arrest Cesca, but they are happy because at least they got to marry each other. Jonah returns to the school telling his dad he has to accept they fact they are now married. His dad, despite being upset, tells Jonah and Ruth how much he loves them. Jonah is last seen when the three of them leave the school.
Quotes
- "I think we should give this place a chance." (first line)
- Jonah: "What is your name?"
- Harry: "It's Harry."
- Jonah: "Harry. Don't answer to 'piggy' if it's not your name."
- "You talk about knowledge being power, yet you keep so much from us. Really, we don't know nothing. You made us too different, like we were supposed to forget about having mates, going out, and talking to girls, like those things weren't supposed to matter, but they really do. Ruth, for everything you know, there's like a million things that you don't. Me too. That's why I'm staying at school."
- "Yeah? Well he didn't look too fussed when he watched me on the pitch just now. Really made up, actually. Right, he's happy if we are. Just stay out of my way, and don't try to sabotage it for both of us."
- Jonah: "Are you not gonna tell us how terrible this place is? How badly behaved the kids are? How it's just gonna bring us down to their level?"
- Marcus: "Nope."
- Marcus: "I took this job so we'd see more of each other."
- Jonah: "Yeah. And I came here so we wouldn't."
- "This could be really great. But I don't wanna be like all those other guys you've been seeing. If we wait, it'll make it more important. Jess, I really, really, really like you, alright?"
- "You're a liar, and a cheat!"
- Jonah: "Oi! Mead!"
- Chris: "Jonah, what's wrong? What you doing?!"
- Jonah: "I KNOW!"
- "People should do the right thing because it's the right thing, not because they'll get found out."
- Jess: "I don't wanna lose you over something that happened before we even knew each other."
- Jonah: "It's not about that. It's about you caring more about what happens to Mr Mead than what happens to me. We're over."
- Cesca: "All a bit embarrassing, really. I must've looked like a right state."
- Jonah: "See, that's impossible. It could never happen."
- "You're joking, right? Your old man and Miss Montoya?" (about Tom and Cesca)
- "Something is happening between you and me, Cesca. How long are you gonna pretend that it isn't? Just give me a shout when you're ready, yeah?"
- "When we kissed, it felt right. Look, I know what the risks are for you. And I know how scary it must be. But if you want it enough, then we'll find a way to make it work."
- "I'm fed up of being your dirty little secret."
- "I don't care! I want to be with you, and I wanna be the dad to our b...I can't believe I just said that, this is incredible. And it makes me wanna be with you even more."
- "Hey. It's gone 1, so...I guess it's going ahead. I couldn't let you be on your own. Even though you don't know I'm here. I love you, Cesca. And I respect your decision. We will have kids one day, I know we will. I know...I'm gonna be with you for the rest of my life. I'm there with you, Cesca. In your head, and in your heart...I'm there with you." (Jonah's voicemail for Cesca when she was at the abortion clinic)
- "Have you got any idea what you've done?! Cesca can go to prison for this!"
- "Being with my dad earlier made me realise I'd have to choose between you and my family."
- Jonah: "Look, it's you and the baby that I love. You're my priority, no-one else. I bought these today, for the wedding. I love you, and I want to start taking care of you both."
- Cesca: "I love you so much."
- Chris: "You idiots."
- "What happened between me and Cesc...Miss Montoya. It's just turned everything into a big mess, really. I realise now it was just a crush."
- "No. We prove that this isn't some stupid teenage crush, or some sleazy tabloid affair. It'll show them how serious we are about each other. Permanently."
- Jonah: "She's my wife now. No-one's taking that away from me."
- Marcus: "What Miss Montoya did to you was illegal."
- Jonah: "It's Mrs Kirby now. I know you don't like the sound of that, Dad. But you'll get used to it."
- "Thank you." (final line)