Originally titled “Top Boy: Summerhouse,” it aired in the UK in 2011 and became a cult success for many years before it was dropped by the network in 2014. It was picked up again in 2022 due to rapper Drake being a superfan. With his help, the show was picked up by Netflix and rebranded as simply “Top Boy.”
Nuance after nuance is packed on top of one another throughout the episodes and it’s incredibly true-to-life, with authentic language for the context of the story, accurate portrayals and representation of its themes showcased through brilliant acting, and a script that doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh truth of every nail-biting scenario the characters face.
The two main characters are Dushane Hill (played by Ashley Walters) and Gerard Sullivan (AKA Sully, played by Kane Robinson), who are friends-turned-rivals, and far from the streets they used to run in “Top Boy: Summerhouse.” Dushane is in Jamaica, struggling with his ego and the status he once held, and Sully is in prison, trying to make it through to his release, all whilst dealing with his own mental health.
Dushane is calculative, ruthless, charismatic, and buffed with pride. While Sully, on the other hand, is cynical, compulsive, violent, and compassionate in a somewhat intimidating way.
Both characters topple one another multiple times throughout the episodes, both trying to assert their dominance over the other, with a harrowing tension underlying every one of their conversations. There is a lot of history between them and the years that have passed have made it harder for them to work through their moral dilemmas and conflicts.
One of the most interesting characters is Jaime Tovell (Michael Ward). Jaime is the oldest of three brothers and after his parents passed away, had to raise his younger brothers, Stefan and Aaron, by himself. To support his family Jaime, like many other characters in the series, resorts to making money on the streets.
At the same time, he does everything in his power to make sure his brothers don’t end up in his position, and he wants them to do well in school.
However, when the audience meets him, he is trying to assert his dominance within his gang after their previous leader ends up in jail, and it is very clear that he intends to become the top boy. He is driven by his desire to provide for his brothers and this loyalty gives the audience a complex character arc to follow.
“Top Boy” treats its audience intelligently and it does not present things obviously or simply, rather it trusts the viewer will understand the commentary it’s presenting.
Their brotherly relationship suffers from the effects of Jaime’s decisions and the world he participates in, and the lingering emotional effect of every conversation they have stays with the audience long after the scene has ended.
Jaime’s little brother, Aaron (Hope Ikpoku Jnr) is the exact opposite. He’s determined to succeed, but through a normal route, and despite Jaime’s best efforts to conceal his real job from him, he knows what his brother does. On the other hand, Stefan (Araloyin Oshunremi) is a lively kid who looks up to Jaime and who remains in the dark about his brother’s exploits for most of season 1.
When the real consequences of a territorial gang war break through the cracks and Aaron and Stefan become victims of a battle that has nothing to do with them, Jaime is forced to comprehend the cruel truths about his world and his actions.
In many ways, Jaime is a reflection of both Dushane and Sully. Like Dushane, he is trying to make a name for himself, and working through his ego to become the one in charge of operations. However, similar to Sully, he struggles with his morals, and despite feeling compassion, proceeds to act in violent ways because of his home life.
The show trusts its audience to understand that two things can be true at once: Jaime is a sweet kid who wants the best for his younger brothers, but he’s also a ruthless, violent, gangster. This dichotomy makes him the heart of the show.
Aside from Jaime, there is a spectrum of other characters who vary in different shades and create a palette that could behold every viewer. From the ever-caring Shelley (Little Simz) to the Jokeresque Modie (Dave), the series showcases a wide array of complex, distinct, characters who bring more color to the muted world the audience comes to familiarize themselves with.
The cutthroat world is not dimmed down for viewers. The violence is unrelenting and showcased through guns, knives, and plenty of baseball bats.
For all its showcases of violence and murky streets of cloudy and confusing turmoil between gangs, the show resists subtlety and showcases the impact of quiet, emotional moments, letting them linger long after street battles are fought.
During every scene, you wonder what terrible fate will befall the characters. The show does well at letting audiences understand what’s at stake for every character, and while many issues are explored and resolved with flying bullets, “Top Boy” works best when it presents the internal battle of emotions.
Creator Ronan Bennett treats each character with sympathy and understanding, despite the large cast of anti-heroes and antagonists. The audience in turn can comprehend why the characters do what they do.
As you navigate the stories of these characters and their ruthless world, you will find yourself holding your breath through tense and heartbreaking moments, cheering for characters who you’ve seen commit violent acts, and sitting back and lingering on the social issues referenced in the context of the story.