Scripted series · Channel 4
Top Boy
Who's in it
Cast
The principal ensemble across the run of the series.
Ashley Walters
Dushane
8 eps
Sharon Duncan-Brewster
Lisa
8 eps
Geoff Bell
Bobby Raikes
4 eps
Kane Robinson
Sully
8 eps
Letitia Wright
Chantelle
4 eps
Michaela Coel
Kayla
2 eps
Richard Lintern
Peter Stenton
1 eps
Pooky Quesnel
Dr. Jenny Northam
3 eps
Sway DaSafo
Ross Rosten
1 eps
Tommy Vine
Naked Man
1 eps
Chi Lewis-Parry
Dwayne (uncredited)
1 eps
Finn Bennett
Noah
1 eps
The Nutevio profile
TV DNA
How Top Boy actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.
Signature profile
Top Boy reads strongest on Character Depth, Emotional Weight and Bingeability.
How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.
How much the series is designed to affect you.
How hard it is to stop after one episode.
How much each hour depends on the one before it.
How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.
The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.
Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.
The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.
How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.
The story
What it's about
A thrilling and raw crime drama following a gang of drug dealers in Hackney, London - an honest and gripping rendition of inner-city drug and gang culture.
The run
Seasons
2 seasons · 8 episodes.
Season 1 · Complete
Season 1
20114 episodes
7.2IMDbIn the first season, after receiving a loan from Bobby Raikes, Dushane and Sully's drugs business thrives, enabling them to lead a rich lifestyle. Their situation takes a dark turn, however, when their rival, Kamale, steals their stash and violence breaks out amongst the gangs. Meanwhile, 13-year-old Ra'Nell becomes inadvertently involved in the drugs circle after his mother is taken into hospital.
Best episode · S01E01 Episode 1
Season 2 · Complete
Season 2
20134 episodes
6.9IMDbIn the second season, Dushane has worked his way to the top but finds he has an enemy in his one-time associate Sully who now has a new ruthless crime partner. When their common nemesis Kamale is found dead both Dushane and Sully fall under suspicion. Meanwhile, 15-year-old Ra'Nell is lying low with the district youth squad trials fast approaching but his friend Gem is unable to do the same.
Best episode · S02E04 Episode 4
Where the series peaks
Best Episodes
The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.
S01E01
Episode 1
Thirteen-year-old Ra'Nell has to 'step up and be a man' when his mum has a breakdown. Meanwhile, on the Summerhouse Estate, Dushane and his friend Sully are running a thriving drugs business. Violent scenes from the start and very strong language throughout.
- Directed by Yann Demange
- Written by Ronan Bennett
S02E04
Episode 4
Solicitor Rhianna represents Kayla but warns Dushane that she is likely to talk to the police. Following Vincent's brutal attack on Ra'Nell, Lisa is forced to turn to Dushane for help. And Gem's father, Mr Mustapha, decides to deal with Vincent in his own way.
- Directed by Jonathan van Tulleken
- Written by Ronan Bennett
S01E04
Episode 4
Dushane's loyalty to his hot-headed accomplice and best friend, Sully, is tested to the limit when he discovers him openly carrying a murder weapon. With the police out in force and their situation spiraling out of control, Raikes offers Dushane a monstrous solution to all of his problems.
- Directed by Yann Demange
- Written by Ronan Bennett
S01E03
Episode 3
Dushane and Sully know that time is running out to find Kamale and repay their debt to Raikes. Obsessed with finding out whether there's a grass within their own gang, Sully instructs fellow gang-member Dris to intercept his prime suspect: Ra'Nell's best mate, the hapless Gem.
- Directed by Yann Demange
- Written by Ronan Bennett
S02E02
Episode 2
Dushane visits Joe in hospital and learns from his injured partner that their drugs were stolen by a gang of Albanians. Sully and Mike are asked to carry out a hit.
- Directed by Jonathan van Tulleken
- Written by Ronan Bennett
S02E03
Episode 3
Rafe rescues his brother Jermaine held captive by Sully and Mike and vows to take revenge. Gem is terrified when a drug delivery he is making for Vincent goes wrong.
- Directed by Jonathan van Tulleken
- Written by Ronan Bennett
Recently aired
Latest Episodes
S02E04
Episode 4
- Directed by Jonathan van Tulleken
- Written by Ronan Bennett
S02E03
Episode 3
- Directed by Jonathan van Tulleken
- Written by Ronan Bennett
S02E02
Episode 2
- Directed by Jonathan van Tulleken
- Written by Ronan Bennett
S02E01
Episode 1
- Directed by Jonathan van Tulleken
- Written by Ronan Bennett
Behind the series
Created by
Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.
The craft
Key Crew
Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.
Executive production
- Yann DemangeExecutive Producer
- Laura Hastings-SmithProducer
- Ronan BennettProducer
- Alasdair FlindProducer
- Charles SteelProducer
Writing
- Ronan BennettWriter
Direction
- Yann DemangeDirector
- Jonathan van TullekenDirector
Cinematography
- Christopher RossDirector of Photography
- Tat RadcliffeDirector of Photography
Music
- Brian EnoOriginal Music Composer
Where to watch
Streaming
Availability verified against regional listings.
- NetflixStreaming
- Netflix Standard with AdsStreaming
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Where to go from here
Watch Next
Our editors' suggestion for the show you should start tonight — and why.
The Wire
2002
Another morally complex epic for anyone who wanted more grey.
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For the nights you want momentum rather than melancholy.
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If the world-building is what held you, this is the next map to walk.
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Another masterpiece of long-form storytelling, chosen to follow this one.
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Watch this next if you like protagonists you can't quite defend.
Never stop watching
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