Top Boy first blazed a trail onto screens in 2011, arriving courtesy of Channel 4 and immersing audiences in an unforgettable crime drama following a range of characters in London’s fictional Summerhouse estate. It’s come a long way since.
Channel 4 decided in 2014 to end Top Boy after just two seasons. Drake is one of the biggest fans, and he was responsible for reviving Ashley Walters’ show on Netflix. The revival, which was the third season, debuted in 2019 with Drake as executive producer. The fourth emerged in 2022 and we’re soon set to arrive at the final destination with season 5, already confirmed to be the last of the series. Netflix will premiere new episodes on September 7, 2023. The acclaimed actors are expected to be back.
Araloyin shunremi, who played Stefan Tovell in the original film, is also returning to the ensemble.
The 19-year-old actor played the brother of Jamie and Aaron, whose fates in the previous season amount to Stef’s toughest time yet in the final batch of episodes. Stef debuted when Netflix brought the series back, and since then we’ve seen Araloyin star in another Netflix show, Heartstopper (Otis Smith).
Teasing Top Boy’s return, he recently Speaking to NME and was sure to pay respect to two acclaimed actors who ‘inspired’ him considerably in his acting journey.
John Boyega is the first, and he’s best known as Finn from Star Wars.
“One of the first things that I remember watching was Attack The Block. It’s a great film. [that] From start to finish, I remember every scene. Watching him go from that to Star Wars, I’m like, ‘Rah!’ I was inspired.” John played the central character Moses in the sci-fi comedy, and it was his first ever movie too. Later, he would appear in Detroit, The Woman King and They Cloned Tyrone.
The second of the two major inspirations is Daniel Kaluuya, and Araloyin has been insistent on praising the British actor’s eclectic oeuvre.
“He’s been in a lot and it’s all been different – I even remember seeing him in JME‘s music video [for ‘Blam’]. I would like my acting career to go in a similar way, where each role I’m progressing and challenging myself more and more.”
Daniel who has appeared on Get Out and Black Panther as well as won an Academy Award in Judas And The Black Messiah, gave Top Boy a few words of encouragement.
“I remember having a conversation with Daniel Kaluuya at one of the Top Boy [wrap] parties and he was like, ‘You’re doing very well. Continue to push yourself. [and] focus,’” Araloyin explained. “When I get recognition from other actors who have been in the game longer than me, saying I’m doing well and I’m cool, [that makes me certain] I’m going to push [on] because I know I can be great…”
Speaking of greatness, that’s exactly what the Top Boy fandom expects from the influential series’ swansong. Araloyin will help achieve that.
Top Boy Season 5 will premiere on Netflix Thursday, 7th September 2023.
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