It’s no easy task to think of a programme that’s done more for cutting-edge British drama than Top Boy. Having made its debut on Channel 4 in 2011 and running for two series before Netflix revived it for a further three, the gritty drama follows the drug gangs of London’s fictional Summerhouse estate in Hackney with exemplary authenticity.
Announced via a huge billboard at London’s BFI IMAX, and confirmed on the series’ official Twitter page, Top Boy is set to return on 18 March. Ashley Walters and Kano will reprise their roles as Dushane and Sully, with Michael Ward and Simbi Ajikawo (Little Simz) also returning as Jamie and Shelley.
Accompanying the announcement was a picture of the screenplay for the first episode entitled ‘Killing No Murder’, written by Ronan Bennett.
It will technically be the fourth series after the first two were billed as Top Boy: Summerhouse when Netflix revived the franchise last year.
Netflix also confirmed that Dushane (Ashley Walters), Sully (Kane Robinson), Jamie (Michael Ward) and Shelley (Simbi Ajikawo, better known as Little Simz) will all return.
Canadian Musician Drake is a huge fan of the series and is attached to the project as executive producer. The new 10-part series, which is set to premier in 2019 will pick up where series two left off.
Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson (Kano) will reprise their roles as Dushane and Sully, as they attempt to dominate the London drug trade.
Top Boy’s original creative team, Charles Steel, Alasdair Flind, Ronan Bennet and Yann Demange will return for the project, which was originally broadcast on Channel 4 then made available on Netflix.
