After Drake unveiled the teaser at his concert in London, Netflix has now dropped the official first-look at Top Boy Season 3.
The teaser and following announcement confirm that Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson return to topline the series, and they are joined by Micheal Ward and rappers Simbi Ajikawo/Little Simz and David Omoregie/Dave and Shone Romulus and Ashley Thomas. Other new cast members include Lisa Dwan, Jasmine Jobson, Kadeem Ramsay, Saffron Hocking, Kola Bokinni and Hope Ikpoku.
The season, which will have ten episodes, is written by creator Ronan Bennett. Daniel West is also a writer and exec producers are from the original team — Yann Demange (director of the first season), Charles Steel, Alasdair Flind. Drake and his business partner, Adel “Future” Nur, as well as Maverick Carter and Jamal Henderson of LeBron James’ SpringHill Entertainment.
After 2 successful seasons, there was talk of a third but the network (Channel 4 in the UK) decided against the idea, and effectively put Top Boy to bed for good in 2013, much to the disappointment of the series’ many fans. In 2015, Drake first expressed interest in reviving the show, and there was even a report earlier this year that he would star in the series after buying the rights. It was officially announced that the show would be revived at Netflix in November 2017.
Top Boy is set on the fictional Summerhouse housing estate in Hackney, East London, aims to provide an insight into life in London estates, and how drugs affect everyone living there.
“Ten years ago, I witnessed a 10 year-old boy dealing drugs outside my local supermarket. It made me question what was going on in my own community and led me to create Top Boy,” said Bennett.
“Top Boy is a raw, real representation of street culture. It explores how these characters came to make the choices they make, and gives the audience a behind-the-scenes look as to what is happening on our streets today. It needs to be talked about and the show doesn’t shy away from giving us the platform to tell our story. We can’t change things if we do not acknowledge it and understand it first. Netflix is the perfect platform for this show, there aren’t many networks who would be brave enough to keep it this real,” said Walters.
The Season 3 description: Dushane (Walters) returns from exile to his home in London to reclaim his throne in the highly lucrative drug market. He teams up with Sully (Robinson), his spiritual brother, partner and sometime rival who is also returning to the same streets after his own form of exile – prison – comes to an end. Awaiting them both is Jamie (Ward), the young, hungry and ruthless gang leader whose ambitions leave no place for Dushane and Sully.
Directors this season include Reinaldo Marcus Green (Monsters and Men) and Nia DaCosta (Little Woods, Candyman).
No word on a specific premiere date, but the new episodes will arrive in the fall.
Drake is making a major move into television and film this year. He and Nur also exec produce, Euphoria on HBO starring Zendaya, Algee Smith and Storm Reid, which is premiering soon. The rapper also is working on unnamed projects in development at Apple and Anonymous Content.
