
Top Boy Is Back!
Its no easy task bringing back a hit tv series but our friends in the big city of London shows that with talent and dedication it can be done.
Die-hard fans of Channel 4’s gang drama Top Boy, which ran for two series before a sudden cancellation in 2013, were initially unsure of Netflix’s decision to bring the popular series back. Now let’s rewind a little because it was a certain celebrity from across the pond intervened and struck up a deal with Netflix to revive the cult classic. I’m pretty sure you all know who I’m referring too…That’s right Drake. The OVO rapper has executive-produced the remake too.
A lot of shows that go off air for a few years often return with a little less spark, whether its the same old same old storyline or favourite characters being written out of the script. Top Boy is in a different league and certainly felt more authentic and different from most other tv shows out right now.
The action is set in the heart of the drug-fuelled gang wars in east London. Friends-turned-rivals Dushane and Sully, are no longer in the streets they used to dominate. Dushane (Ashley Walters) is keeping a low profile in Jamaica while trying to run away from his past troubles. Dushane finds it hard to live a civilian life because back in the UK he was a top gang leader. Sully, (Kane “Kano” Robinson) is in prison, trying to stay out of trouble ahead of his imminent release. The ex-friends both have to make their ways back to London, but their no easy roads to get there. Since Dushane and Sully were out of the picture younger gangs muscled in to take their piece of the pie.
Jamie (Michael Ward) is the new kid on the block who takes care of his two younger brothers following the deaths of their parents. On the flipside, Jamie is also a ruthless gangster who will do whatever it takes to keep his business his under control, including wiping out his enemies. I like how they showed contrast in Jamie’s character, on one hand, he was a loving, caring big brother but outside the walls of his home, you see the harsh realities of gang life in London.
Top Boy touches on many relevant topics around gang culture today. The violence is shocking and even disturbing in some cases. There are a plethora of guns, baseball bats and knives. Ruthless gangs causing havoc, At this point, we are not sure who the perpetrators are but a street fight ensues leaving members from both sides injured. When the two rival gangs end up in the same hospital, even more, chaos explodes. Ultimately the clash was deadly serious and only led to more “hatred” between the rival gangs.
In this series, the Turks are the new Albanians and are now controlling the drugs supply. Well, that was until Jamie had a bright idea of taking the Turks out due to their “unfair” hike in prices. The show stays true and authentic, giving a real feel of what British society is like today. The series also touches on important aspects such as County lines drug-dealing. This happens when Sully heads down to Ramsgate and sets up shop with impoverished asylum seekers being abused and exploited on all sides. In London, immigration officials are cracking down using paperwork, fear-mongering, Brexit, bureaucracy and other issues facing British society today.
For all of Top Boy’s gloom and heavy portent – during almost every scene, you wonder what terrible fate will befall the character in it – there are moments of dry humour. This show is no walk through the park, there are no crumpets and tea…just shocking violence, intense storylines and a gritty British backdrop that many in the inner city’s can identify with. It does not show the UK in its best light but it is real and truthful in the picture it paints. In Top Boy there were no winners, everyone has lost something that can’t be replaced, relationships were broken, loved ones were killed, and friends turned to foes. It was a whole lot to take in.
As the series progressed I felt really bad for the youths out their today. There is nothing nice about gang life and gang culture. If that is the battle our young people are facing today in the streets then “Jesus needs to take the wheel…& quick”. It must be terrifying for the mothers of young males because every day is a battle to survive. I do hope the show has deterred some young people from wanting to get involved in gang activities.
Top Boy as a TV drama, has to be one of the best series I have watched in a while. Emotional, shocking, and relentlessly intense. Overall a fantastic show, well done to everyone involved who made it happen…Were raising a glass to series 4!!! Come On Top Boy. Watch now on Netflix.