BBC Three has announced new coming-of-age drama Boarders.
The new six-part series has been created by BAFTA nominated Daniel Lawrence Taylor (Timewasters) and will be produced by Studio Lambert (The Nest, Three Girls).
It will follow the lives of five underprivileged black students from inner-city London who win scholarships to an elite boarding school.
A teaser shares: “Stepping out of the urban metropolis and into a world they can only describe as something out of Harry Potter, our leads will experience the highs and lows of boarding school: learning about themselves, their identity and what life on the other side looks like – which they discover is nothing like life in zone 3.
“From fun and independence to pressure and competition, first crushes, forging friendships and making enemies, Boarders will look at the experience of going to a top public school from a unique perspective. These kids may be outsiders but they’re determined to prove themselves – and shake things up along the way. The new boarders have arrived.”
Led by a cast of young rising talent, Boarders will star Josh Tedeku (Supacell, A Town Called Malice), Jodie Campbell (Bulletproof, No Return), Myles Kamwendo (The School for Good and Evil) alongside Sekou Diaby and Aruna Jalloh, both making their screen debuts.
Boarders creator and writer Daniel Lawrence Taylor will also appear on screen to play Gus, a mentor figure to St Gilbert’s five newest students. Derek Riddell (Happy Valley, Gentleman Jack) will play headmaster Bernard, and Niky Wardley (Queen of Oz, The Catherine Tate Show) will play Carol Watlington-Geese, Chair of the Board.
They will be joined in the series by Harry Gilby (Tolkien), Tallulah Greive (Our Ladies, Cinderella), Rosie Graham (The School for Good and Evil, Sanditon), Georgina Sadler (The A List)and Assa Kanoute, making her screen debut.
Creator and Lead Writer, Daniel Lawrence Taylor, said: “As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to grow momentum, and the world is becoming more aware of black struggles in white institutions, a show like Boarders has never been more relevant or ripe for comedy.
“Working with Studio Lambert and the BBC has been an absolute joy, and I’ve also bagged myself some of the most exciting Black British voices to help me bring this show to the screen”.
Susan Hogg, Head of Drama, Studio Lambert added: “We are so excited to bring this bold and original series to BBC Three and iPlayer. Daniel has the courage to tackle a tough premise through the lens of comedy. Boarders is at once heartfelt and hilarious”.
Fiona Campbell, Controller of BBC Three, commented: “We couldn’t be happier that Boarders will be coming to BBC Three and to be working with Daniel and this fantastic team of writers. He is an incredible talent and like the best series do, we know this one will make audiences laugh and will leave them thinking.”
A release date is to be announced.
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