Kevin Bourne calls the final season of Top Boy a “sad, emotional and well-executed send off”. Find out why in his Top Boy Season 3 review.
Yesterday, Netflix dropped the third and final season of their hit British crime drama Top Boy. Since its humble beginnings in 2011, the series has grown to international acclaim for its gritty depiction of inner city life in London, all while teaching the world the latest UK slang.
After being cancelled in 2014, an impressive list of executive producers, including lead actors Ashley Walters and Kano, Maverick Carter and Drake, helped to revive the show.
Season three opens with a continuation from season two as Jamie (Micheal Ward) is murdered. Meanwhile, Dushane (Ashley Walters) is at dinner with Shelley (Little Simz) enjoying civilian life. That’s until he learns of Jamie’s passing. Sully (Kano) gives Dushane an ultimatum―step back from the road or he could be next. He reluctantly obliges, but for how long?
The story marks a significant change for Sully who now has to learn what it takes to be the top dog, including dealing with a new supplier and enemy that threatens his budding empire. Dushane, who is more emotional than his level headed self seen in previous seasons, must adjusted to not having the money and power he used to have.
The season is also coming of age story for Stef (Araloyin Oshunremi) who must adjust to life without his older brother Jamie. Whether through connecting with Jamie’s old crew or his relationship with his new girlfriend Erin, Stef is forced to become a man, even exploring sexuality for the first time.
The season is also a time of unprecedented unrest in the Summerhouse community as issues introduced in previous seasons come to a head. After a potential deportation, a freak accident, and being forced out of their homes, the community decides to fight back.
The season explores injustice, loss, betrayal, and finding one’s moral compass, as some characters become casualties to the streets, while others decide to leave that life before it’s too late. While previous seasons could potentially be seen as glamorizing the gangster lifestyle, season three is a cautionary tale of everything that could go wrong.
The season is anchored by the exceptional acting from Ashley Walters, Kano, and Jasmine Jobson who were tasked with showing the humanity of their characters, taking them in whole new directions. Jobson was especially convincing in the role of Jaq who now shows a more loving side after experiencing a major tragedy.
Despite going in different directions, Dushane and Sully must realize they will always be interconnected. As they finally face each other and their issues, they get to say the things they’ve always wanted to stay and to hear the things they always wanted to hear.
In the end, season three is a sad, emotional and well-executed send off to one of the best British crime series in recent memory. While the show has failed to win awards here in North America (which is a tragedy), its legacy as an exporter of Black British culture, alongside drill and grime music, and a source of representation and pride for Black people everywhere can’t be denied.
Season three of Top Boy is available now on Netflix.
SHIFTER editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter, Kevin Bourne, is a Toronto-based entertainment journalist focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 310 international voters for the 81st Golden Globe Awards by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.
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