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Drake & LeBron James Teaming Up To Bring Gritty U.K. Drama "Top Boy" To Netflix!
Written by Brennon Barclay. Published: November 14 2017
Drake has proven himself to be not only a
talented artist in his own right but a patron of the arts in
general, and he has made sure to bring one show in particular to
global audiences.
Anyone who is familiar with the U.K.-based Channel 4 will know
that they have created incredible shows over the years. Although
previously confined to British audiences, Drake, with the help of
his friend LeBron James, is reviving the channel’s
gritty “Top Boy” series, which follows the happenings of a group of
gang members living in a crime-ridden council estate in East
London. The show has been noted for giving an inside glimpse into
how rampant drug usage affects the lives of council house
residents.
The two main characters are friends – Dushane (played by
English actor/rapper Ashley Walters) and Sully
(played by fellow Brit actor/rapper Kane
Robinson). The show is also unique in that it doesn’t
follow the traditional white “Chav” trope but instead sheds light
on the Black community that lives in the government housing and
their struggle to survive.
There is a shortage of roles for Black actors globally, and
Britain is no different, so the series has been a great platform to
showcase Black talent. Although the show received major recognition
and even won a BAFTA in 2012, it was not renewed. However, no need
to worry because @champagnepapi and @kingjames have secured a new home for the project on
Netflix and promise to have a third season ready by early 2019.
Actor Ashley Walters (Dushane) confirmed the deal by excitedly
tweeting “We’re going back to Summerhouse @TopBoyNetflix 2019.”
Considering Netflix previously took over Channel 4’s “Black Mirror”
(ring any bells?) and made the show iconic, we are impatiently
waiting to see what “Top Boy” brings.
Although we previously heard that Drake would have a role in
“Top Boy”, these rumors have not been confirmed, and as of right
now it appears that he will be serving primarily as a producer. Not
that he wouldn’t be able to handle it – as we know, Drake got his
start in showbiz playing wheelchair-bound Jimmy Brooks on MTV
Canada’s “Degrassi: The Next Generation”.
(Image via Euan Cherry/WENN)
- Brennon Barclay, YH Contributing Writer