Top Boy
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Synopsis
A powerful and thrilling new primetime drama, where young lives will risk everything to be Top Boy

Life as lived on London’s Summerhouse estate, a mix of visceral thriller and intimate, heartfelt drama. Top Boy is about young lives lived on the edge and, for the most part, lived out of sight in east London today. A beautiful, honest and gripping rendition of inner-city drug and gang culture. Set on a London housing estate, lives are lived along lines where challenges come in all forms, even – especially – for kids. Thirteen-year-old Ra’Nell (Malcolm Kamulete) finds he has to grow-up fast when his mentally ill mother Lisa (Sharon Duncan Brewster) is suddenly hospitalized. At the same time his mum’s friend Heather (Kierston Wareing), pregnant and penniless, enlists his help in a dangerous plan she has concocted to give her baby the chances she never had – “even if it means doing one wrong thing to get to the right place”. Meanwhile, in the courtyards of Summerhouse Estate a thriving but invisible business is being run by Dushane (Ashley Walters) and his friend Sully (Kane Robinson). Charming, sexy and clever, the 26-year-old Dushane has “already run out of things to be – except this”. When he attracts the attention of ex-convict and drug dealer Bobby Raikes (Geoff Bell) he seizes an opportunity to be more, to have more, to be Top Boy. But others will pay a heavy price for Dushane’s ambitions. STARRING: ASHLEY WALTERS (INSIDE MEN,OUTCASTS, SINBAD) KIERSTON WAREING (THE SHADOW LINE, LUTHER) KANE ROBINSON (R&B ARTIST / RAPPER - KANO, TOWER BLOCK)

Ep1. Fabric of Life

Ep2. This Has Got Political

Ep3. Dreams are made of this

Ep4. Respect

Duration
4 x 60' 2 x 100'
Definition
HD
Genre
Drama
Subgenre
Series
Producer
Cowboy Films
Awards

Winner - Drama Serial Category - RTS Programme Awards 2011


Winner - Audience Choice - Series Mania TV Festival 2012


Winner - BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2012 - Original Music - Brian Eno


Nominated - BAFTA Television Craft Awards 2012
- Director: Fiction - Yann Demange
- Photography & Lighting: Fiction - Tat Radcliffe


Nominated - Mini Series - BAFTA Television Award 2012


Nominated - TV Drama - South Bank Awards


Nominated - Drama One-off or Serial - Televisual Bulldog Awards 2012


Nominated - Music - Televisual Bulldog Awards 2012


Nominated - Cinematography - Televisual Bulldog Awards 2012


Winner - Best Drama Series/Serial - Broadcast Awards 2013

Press

“...The closest TV has come to capturing the realities of London gang culture.” Time Out, 27.10.11 “Ronan Bennett’s compelling gangster drama continues, getting darker as the endgame approaches... Top Boy’s depiction of an escalating drugs beef is terrifyingly convincing it its speed and brutality... This is fierce and righteous stuff.” Time Out, 27.10.11 “Ronan Bennett’s affecting drama turns the landscape of east London into a bewitching backdrop for scenes of drug dealing, violence, splintered families and social realism... There’s a feel of The Wire about this stinging portrayal of London’s underbelly and, beautifully shot and incredibly stark, we predict a rave reception for this award-worthy drama.” TV Times, 29.10.11 Re eps 1: “Ronan Bennett’s superb drugs drama... Top Boy isn’t the kind of edgy inner-city fable that leaves you wanting to prise off your nails for light relief. There is kindness and humour. The characters feel rounded...In its subject and subtlety it will remind some viewers of the Wire – exalted company to keep...” Radio Times, 29.10.11 Re eps 2: “... The terrific east London saga continues...” Radio Times, 29.10.11 Re eps 3: “It’s all completely believable. The trouble is, when everything feels so real, the violence when it comes is twice as shocking:...” Radio Times, 29.11.10 Re eps 4: “If you’ve come this far with Ronan Bennett’s subtle, shattering drugs drama, you may be wondering how he’s going to tie off his storylines and stay true to his characters. Fear not, he knows what he’s doing, and unshowy performances all round make us want to weep for his trapped young criminals even as they kill, maim and betray each other...” Radio Times, 29.10.11 Summary: “It’s not easy to tell tough stories of inner city life on TV and find a big audience. This sharp, sensitive drama about East London drug dealers deserves one.” Radio Times, 29.10.11 Summary 2: “Writing and acting are both horribly good.” Radio Times, 29.11.10 “...Brutally realistic...” TV & Satellite Week, 29.10.11 “Channel 4’s powerful, controversial Top Boy...” TV & Satellite Week, 29.10.11 “Over four nights events unfold on London’s violent Summerhouse estate, in a drama many will bale gritty. It is, but there’s also light and laughter and some truly extraordinary performances ...” Total TV Guide, 29.10.11 “...Everything you could want from a Channel 4 series: compelling, contemporary, sharp, and totally real.... The young ensemble cast is superb, and the story will keep you gripped until the end.” Heat, 29.10.11 “The Wire meets Kidulthood – proper gripping stuff!” Nuts, 28.10.11 “This four-part serise sees Ashley Walters acting his socks off in a raw drama about inner-city drug and gang culture.” Grazia, 31.10.11