Netflix announces the opening of the exhibition, ‘Portrait of a Top Boy’ to celebrate the end of the final chapter of the iconic series TOP BOY at Somerset House’s Embankment Galleries.
Curated by multi-disciplinary artist Ronan McKenzie, the exhibition will commemorate the cultural impact that the series has had on British television, in both its representation of life on the estates of East London and its support and mentoring of emerging British talent.
It will display 16 newly commissioned portraits created by 16 UK-based black artists (both established and emerging), with each portrait depicting an iconic character from the series.
Through their individual approaches, each of the artists have explored their personal relationship with their chosen character, the series, and the idea of what it means to be a ‘Top Boy’.
‘Portrait of a Top Boy’ exhibition will be open to the public from 9 – 13 September at Somerset House
Artists:
Joshua Donkor
Brianna Parker
Teoni
Jack Dickson
Tonique Sewell
Gabriel Choto
Tejumola Butler Adenuga
Kione Grandison
Aaron Bevan-Bailey
Annan Affotey
Ken Nwadiogbu
Babajide Olatunji
Olivia Twist
Toby Michael
Natasha Muluswela
Hamed Maiye
Characters depicted in portraits include:
Sully (Kane Robinson), Dushane (Ashley Walters), Jaq (Jasmine Jobson), Stefan (Araloyin Oshunremi), Jamie (Michael Ward), Shelley (Simbiatu Ajikawo / Little Simz), Dris (Shone Romulus), Modie (David Omoregie / Dave)
About TOP BOY
Set on the fictional East London estate of Summerhouse, TOP BOY is a crime drama that takes an unflinching look at the raw, dangerous world of drug dealing and the lives of those who live in the ends. It’s a look at the paradoxical aspiration and realities of those who are marginalised by society yet form a tight-knit community as they try to better their lives on the estate.
For Dushane and Sully, that’s about the relentless pursuit of building a drug empire to become Top Boy. But that puts a target on your back. Enemies can come from anywhere, loyalties are tested as trusted lieutenants can become snakes, and the unwritten rules of the road are always challenged. But these are the challenges you face as Top Boy. The question is: how long can you stay there?
S3 synopsis
Sully’s actions at the end of the last series have rewritten his business rules with Dushane. As new shared problems arise, everything they’ve built comes under threat from forces outside and within their empire. Can they coexist by the rules of the road they’ve lived by their whole lives in a world that is changing before them? Or can there only be one Top Boy?
The third and final season of TOP BOY launches on Netflix on 7 September 2023.
For more information on TOP BOY visit: Media.netflix.com
