Is Top Boy Based On A True Story? Plot, Cast, Trailer and More

top boy

Top Boy is a British crime drama series created and written by Ronan Bennett. The story takes place in a fictional summer house estate in Hackney, London, and revolves around the lives of two drug dealers, Duchamp (Ashley Walters) and Sully (Kane Robinson). The show meticulously explores the complex dynamics of the city’s drug trade and gang violence.

The four series have a total of 26 episodes, with the initial two sets of four episodes each originally broadcast on Channel 4. The first series premiered over four consecutive nights in late 2011, while the second series hit screens in 2013. Although plans were put on hold for a third series, the series gained new life when Canadian rapper Drake expressed interest.

In 2017, Netflix announced a revival, with the original cast reprising their roles and Drake also attached as executive producer. The third and fourth seasons, retitled “Top Boy” as the first and second seasons respectively, will premiere on Netflix in 2019 and 2022 respectively. This journey will culminate with the release of the fifth and final series in 2023.

“Top Boy” won praise for its riveting performances, striking cinematography, gritty realism, skillful writing and resonant score. The show has drawn comparisons to critically acclaimed crime dramas such as The Wire, Snowflake and Thrones. Notably, it received awards and nominations at the British Academy Television Awards, and won the British Academy Television Craft Awards for Best Original Score, Best Director of a Fiction, and Best Casting for a Script.

Is “Top Boy” based on a true story?

No, “Top Boy” is not based on a true story; the characters in the show are fictional. However, the themes and issues depicted in the series and its context are inspired by real-world settings.

While the characters and events in Top Boy are products of the creative imagination, the show does seek to address and reflect real social issues. The play centers on the drug conflict between Summerhouse, led by Duchamp, and other rival gangs as they compete for control of London’s drug trade.

Ashley Walters, who plays Dushane, emphasized that the show’s message must truly resonate with the audience. He noted that the depiction of the drug trade and the lifestyle associated with it was rooted in reality. Walters explained that the path of the drug game often leads to either returning to where you started, meeting a tragic end, or a life sentence.

Top Boy also delves into the impact of the character’s choices on the wider community. Walters stressed that these actions have a knock-on effect not only on those directly involved, but also on the wider community. The play aims to depict the less glamorous and more destructive aspects of the lifestyle depicted.

The series’ creators also ensured that the characters’ journeys remained authentic. For example, in the new season, characters Jamie and Dushane venture to different countries to maintain a high-stakes drug trade. Walters emphasizes that these journeys are integrated into the narrative to maintain a sense of reality. Ronan Bennett, the show’s writer, drew inspiration from his research and stories rooted in reality, infusing authenticity into the storytelling.

While Top Boy is a work of fiction, it does address big real-world issues. The series discusses a range of topics, from domestic abuse to the devastation of communities caused by demolition. This commitment to solving real social problems underscores the show’s goal to reflect aspects of the real world within its fictional framework.

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top boy drama

Series 1 (2011):

The storyline revolves around the challenges Larnell faces at his crime-ridden summer home estate after his mother, Lisa, is admitted to a mental hospital. Lanell, known for his erratic personality after injuring his abusive father, fell silent. When his mother is hospitalized, her friend Leon takes care of him. Leon was once a respected enforcer of his legacy, but he has let go of his past. During this time, Lisa’s friend Heather enlists Ranelle’s help in growing marijuana to maintain financial stability and escape the dangers of the estate.

Meanwhile, Larnell’s friend Jem gets into the drug trade, led by Summer House ringleaders Dushane and Sully. Jem’s vulnerability makes him susceptible to the influence of their enforcer, Driss, who is known for his brutality.

Duchamp and Sully manage the estate with ease, but rival dealer Carmel steals their supplies, jeopardizing their partnership. The ensuing pursuit jeopardizes their alliance.

Series 2 (2013):

A year later, Duchamp, Sully and Dries were arrested following the discovery of the body. Duchamp discovers a mole in their organization, setting off a chain of events. It was revealed that the informant was Michael, a drug dealer whom Duchamp trusted and who was coerced by police into sharing information.

Meanwhile, Sully tries to form his own team with Mike. After a deal with an Albanian partner goes wrong, he seeks revenge and meets a neglected boy named Jason along the way.

Top Boy(2019-2023)

Series 1 (2019):

Six years later, Duchamp, who was in Jamaica, returned to London and regained his position as the number one drug trafficker. With the help of Dries and Jacques, he takes on the new challenges posed by the ruthless Jamie and his crew in London Fields. The city has grown and become more gentrified.

Sully was imprisoned along with rival Modi. After being released from prison, Sully teams up with Duchamp, facing adversity and reuniting with acquaintances.

Series 2 (2022):

Six months later, Duchamp planned to expand his empire but encountered conflicts in the community and at home. After being released from prison, Jamie teamed up with Summerhouse. The story follows his attempts to reconcile with his brother, his involvement in the international drug trade and its consequences.

After Dries died, Duchamp’s number two, Jacques, stepped in to rescue her sister from the abusive relationship. Sully struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, suspicion of Jamie and local resistance to Duchamp’s development plans. Local resident Shirley confronts her past while resisting Duchamp’s reconstruction efforts. She must battle her inner demons when she is blackmailed for helping cover up a murder victim.

top boy cast

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Ashley Walters

Dushan Mountain

Kane Robinson

Gerald “Sully” Sullivan

Malcolm Camlet

Larnell Smith

Giacomo Mancini

Jamel “Gem” Mustafa

Shemulus

Dries Wright

Sharon Duncan Brewster

Lisa Smith

Kiersten Wearing

Heather

Nicholas Pinnock

Leon

Xavier Russell

Michael

Michael Ward

Jamie Towell

Molly Jobson

Jacqueline “Jak” Lawrence

Simbi Ajikwo

shelley

Hope Ipaku Jr.

Aaron Tovill

Alaloin Osunremi

Stefan Tovel

Chef Qingyong

Atika “ATS” Aiti

Jolade Obasola

Amma Aiti

Khadim Ramsey

Kit

Lisa Duwan

Lizzie

Saffron Hawking

Lawrence Lawrence

Barry Keoghan

Johnny

top boy release date

“Top Boy” was first released on October 31, 2011. The highly anticipated fifth and final season of Netflix series Top Boy finally has a firm release date. The streaming giant has officially revealed that the critically acclaimed series, which will delve into life in a fictional London summer house, will hit screens starting on September 7, 2023. Fans can mark their calendars and prepare to immerse themselves in the final chapters of this gripping narrative.

Top Boy on Netflix

Created by Ronan Bennett, Top Boy premiered in the UK on 31 October 2011 and has attracted viewers on Netflix and Channel 4. The series offers an immersive journey into an East London housing estate, where tensions run high between openly operating drug gangs and individuals seeking an honest living, against a backdrop of rampant crime.

This tension forms the core of the narrative, interweaving the stories of young drug dealers and those resisting the current environment in a gripping exploration of the human experience in this challenging environment.

The show’s captivating visuals were crafted by Tate Radcliffe and Christopher Ross, while Season 2 features Ghostpoet’s evocative finale theme, “Cold Win.” Positioned within the crime drama genre, Top Boy encapsulates the raw realities and complexities of life in a bustling urban landscape, inviting viewers to reflect on the intersection of crime, integrity and survival.

top boy trailer

Disclaimer: The above information is for general information purposes only. All information on this website is provided in good faith, but we make no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on this website.

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