Class divide!
Meet the underprivileged but super-bright teens challenging the status quo at an elite public school...
Five smart, underprivileged Black students from inner-city London ruffle feathers when they join a prestigious private school in comingof-age comedy drama Boarders.
The six-part series (also showing weekly on BBC3, Tuesdays at 9pm) follows quiet, confident Jaheim (Josh Tedeku), activist Leah (Jodie Campbell), bookish Omar (Myles Kamwendo), rulebreaking Toby (Sekou Diaby) and parent-pleasing Femi (Aruna Jalloh). All five have scooped sixth-form scholarships to St Gilbert’s, where headmaster Bernard (Happy Valley’s Derek Riddell) hopes they will help revamp the school’s reputation following a unsavoury viral video of one of its students. But can the teens adjust to life outside of inner London and in a world that could belong in a Harry Potter film?
Making a difference
‘Jaheim is a smart, vulnerable kid, who hasn’t really been allowed to shine,’ says Josh. ‘But then he finds himself in an environment that doesn’t accept him. He has to adapt, and you’ll see his growth as he tries to find himself in this school, which has a real Hogwarts vibe!’
Creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor also stars in the series as Gus, a mentor to the gang as they attempt to forge friendships among the mean girls, geeks and cool kids while confronted with issues of race, class and privilege.
‘Leah expects to find a sisterhood, but gets quite a hostile reception,’ says Jodie. ‘She finds she’s fighting against an institution that’s bigger than her. The show delves into those broader themes of race and class, which are so relevant in the education system. But it doesn’t feel preachy: it balances the comedy while making the issues relatable.’