Is Top Boy Based On A True Story? Plot, Cast, Trailer and More
by Preethi
Updated Aug 29, 2023
Top Boy
Top Boy is a British crime drama series created and penned by Ronan Bennett. The narrative unfolds within the fictitious Summerhouse estate in London's Hackney, centering around the lives of two drug dealers, Dushane (played by Ashley Walters) and Sully (portrayed by Kane Robinson). The show meticulously explores the complex dynamics of drug trade and gang violence in the city.
Comprising a total of 26 episodes across four series, the initial two sets of four episodes each were originally aired on Channel 4. The debut series premiered over four consecutive nights in late 2011, while the second series graced screens in 2013. Although plans were shelved for a third series, the series found new life when Canadian rapper Drake expressed interest.
In 2017, Netflix announced its revival, with the original cast reprising their roles and Drake's involvement as an executive producer. The third and fourth series, presented as the first and second under the reimagined show title "Top Boy," premiered on Netflix in 2019 and 2022, respectively. The journey is set to culminate with a fifth and final series, scheduled for release in 2023.
Top Boy has garnered acclaim for its compelling performances, striking cinematography, gritty realism, skillful writing, and resonant soundtrack. The series has drawn favorable comparisons to acclaimed crime dramas like "The Wire," "Snowfall," and "Power." Notably, it has clinched awards and nominations at the British Academy Television Awards, with accolades spanning categories such as Best Original Music, Best Director: Fiction, and Best Scripted Casting at the British Academy Television Craft Awards.
Is Top Boy Based On A True Story?
No, Top Boy is not based on a true story, and the characters in the show are fictional. However, the themes and issues depicted in the series, as well as its setting, are inspired by real-world circumstances.
While the characters and events in Top Boy are products of creative imagination, the show does strive to address and reflect genuine societal problems. The series primarily revolves around the drug conflicts involving Summerhouse, led by Dushane, and other rival gangs, as they vie for control of London's drug trade.
Ashley Walters, who plays Dushane, emphasized that the show's message must resonate truthfully with audiences. He noted that the portrayal of the drug trade and its associated lifestyle is rooted in reality. Walters explained that the paths within the drug game usually lead to either returning to where one started, meeting a tragic end, or ending up incarcerated for life.
Top Boy also delves into the impact of the characters' choices on the wider community. Walters underscored the ripple effect of actions on not just those directly involved, but also on the broader community. The show aims to depict the less glamorous and more damaging aspects of the lifestyle portrayed.
The series' creators also ensure that the characters' journeys remain authentic. For instance, in the new season, characters Jamie and Dushane venture to different countries to sustain a high-stakes drug deal. Walters highlighted that these journeys are integrated into the narrative to maintain a sense of realism. The show's writer, Ronan Bennett, draws from his research and stories rooted in reality to infuse authenticity into the storytelling.
While Top Boy is a work of fiction, it does strive to tackle significant real-world issues. The series addresses a range of topics, from domestic abuse to community disruption due to demolitions. This commitment to addressing genuine societal concerns underscores the show's aim to reflect aspects of the real world within its fictional framework.
Top Boy Plot
Series 1 (2011):
The storyline revolves around Ra'Nell's challenges on the crime-ridden Summerhouse estate after his mother, Lisa, is admitted to a mental institution. Ra'Nell, known for his volatile nature after injuring his abusive father, withdraws into silence. While his mother is hospitalized, her friend Leon takes care of him. Leon, once a respected estate enforcer, has abandoned his past. In the midst of this, Lisa's friend Heather enlists Ra'Nell's assistance to cultivate cannabis for financial stability and escape the estate's dangers.
Concurrently, Ra'Nell's friend Gem enters the drug trade under Summerhouse kingpins Dushane and Sully. Gem's vulnerability makes him susceptible to their enforcer, Dris, known for his brutality.
Dushane and Sully manage the estate with ease, but a rival dealer, Kamale, steals their supply, endangering their partnership. The ensuing pursuit jeopardizes their alliance.
Series 2 (2013):
Set a year later, Dushane, Sully, and Dris are arrested when a body is discovered. Dushane identifies a mole in their group, triggering a chain of events. The informant is revealed as Michael, Dushane's trusted dealer, coerced into sharing information by the police.
Simultaneously, Sully attempts to form his own crew with Mike. After a deal with Albanian partners goes awry, he seeks revenge, encountering a neglected boy, Jason, along the way.
Top Boy (2019-2023)
Series 1 (2019):
Taking place six years later, Dushane, now in Jamaica, returns to London to regain his top drug dealer position. With the aid of Dris and Jaq, he navigates new challenges posed by London Fields' ruthless Jamie and his crew. The city has evolved, becoming more gentrified.
Sully is incarcerated with rival Modie. Upon release, Sully collaborates with Dushane, facing adversity and reuniting with acquaintances.
Series 2 (2022):
Continuing six months later, Dushane plans to expand his empire and encounters conflicts within his community and family. Jamie, released from prison, collaborates with Summerhouse. The story follows his attempt to reconcile with his brother, his forays into international drug trade, and the consequences thereof.
Jaq, Dushane's second-in-command after Dris's death, intervenes to rescue her sister from an abusive relationship. Sully battles PTSD, suspicion towards Jamie, and local resistance to Dushane's development plans.Shelley, a local resident, confronts her past as she resists Dushane's redevelopment efforts. Blackmailed for aiding in concealing a murder victim, she grapples with personal demons.
Top Boy Cast
Ashley Walters
Dushane Hill
Kane Robinson
Gerard "Sully" Sullivan
Malcolm Kamulete
Ra'Nell Smith
Giacomo Mancini
Gemel “Gem” Mustapha
Shone Romulus
Dris Wright
Sharon Duncan-Brewster
Lisa Smith
Kierston Wareing
Heather
Nicholas Pinnock
Leon
Xavien Russell
Michael
Micheal Ward
Jamie Tovell
Jasmine Jobson
Jacqueline “Jaq” Lawrence
Simbi Ajikawo
Shelley
Hope Ikpoku Jr.
Aaron Tovell
Araloyin Oshunremi
Stefan Tovell
Keiyon Cook
Attica "Ats" Ayittey
Jolade Obasola
Amma Ayittey
Kadeem Ramsay
Kit
Lisa Dwan
Lizzie
Saffron Hocking
Lauryn Lawrence
Barry Keoghan
Jonny
Cast
Character
Top Boy Release Date
Top Boy first released on 31 October 2011. The eagerly anticipated fifth and final series of Netflix's "Top Boy" has at last been bestowed with a definitive release date. The streaming giant has officially revealed that this acclaimed drama series, which delves into life on the fictitious London estate of Summerhouse, is set to grace screens starting from September 7, 2023. Fans can mark their calendars and prepare to immerse themselves in the concluding chapter of this compelling narrative.
Top Boy on Netflix
"Top Boy" Created by Ronan Bennett, the series premiered its inaugural episode on October 31, 2011, in the UK, and found its audience on both Netflix and Channel 4. It provides an immersive journey into the housing estates of East London, where the stark tension between openly operating drug gangs and individuals striving for honest lives unfolds against a backdrop of relentless crime.
This tension forms the core of the narrative, interweaving the stories of young drug dealers and those who resist the prevailing circumstances in a gripping exploration of the human experience within this challenging environment.
The show's captivating visuals were crafted by Tat Radcliffe and Christopher Ross, while the second series features the evocative ending theme "Cold Win" by Ghostpoet. Positioned within the crime drama genre, "Top Boy" encapsulates the raw realities and complexities of life within the tumultuous urban landscape, inviting viewers to reflect on the intersections of crime, integrity, and survival.
Top Boy Trailer
Is Top Boy Based On A True Story - FAQs
No, "Top Boy" is a work of fiction, but its themes are inspired by real-world issues.
"Top Boy" explores tension between drug gangs and individuals striving for honest lives in a crime-ridden area.
The first episode of "Top Boy" aired on October 31, 2011, in the UK.
The series was created by Ronan Bennett.
The final series of "Top Boy" will be available on Netflix from September 7, 2023.