Boarders is a British teen comedy-drama television series created by Daniel Lawrence Taylor, centred around the lives of five young black teens who earn scholarships into the prestigious boarding school of St. Gilbert's. The series is developed by Studio Lambert in association with All3Media International for BBC Three. The first series premiered on 20 February 2024. The second series was released on 3 February 2025. The third and final series premiered on 15 March 2026.
Contents
Cast and characters
Main
Josh Tedeku as Jaheim Marsham
Jodie Campbell as Leah Dulverton
Myles Kamwendo as Omar Palmer-Grace
Aruna Jalloh as Femi Adebayo
Sekou Diaby as Toby Staithes
Students
Harry Gilby as Rupert (series 1–2)
Tallulah Greive as Beatrix
Rosie Graham as Florence
Georgina Sadler as Mabel
Assa Kanouté as Abby
Archie Fisher as Cheddar
Zheng Xi Yong as Xiang
Maxim Ays as Felix
Andrew Harmon-Gray as Graham
Dillon Mitra as Dilton (series 1–2)
Ruxandra Porojnicu as Yelena
Niyi Akin as Koku (series 1)
Philip Bayntun as Spencer (series 1)
Kendra Brown as Devon'ye (series 2–3)
Louis Thresher as Masked Raisinette/Jonny (series 2–3)
Nagaieh Dad as Yusef (series 2–3)
Kenyah Sandy as Benjamin (series 3)
Daisy Jacob as Pixie (series 3)
Faculty and mentors
Daniel Lawrence Taylor as Gus
Derek Riddell as Bernard (series 1)
Nimisha Odedra as Preeya (series 1)
Sarah Daykin as Chelsea (series 1)
Al Foran as Stanley
William Andrews as Mackers
Yuriri Naka as Ms Kaneko
Emily Houghton as Mrs Goodlow (series 1)
Amy Brown as Ms Harper (series 1–2)
Cara Theobold as Jude (series 2)
Other
Niky Wardley as Carol Watlington-Geese, Rupert's mother
Mohammed Mansaray as Malachi (series 1–2)
Kye Malcolm as Caleb (series 1)
Llewella Gideon as Sylvia (series 1–2)
Wunmi Mosaku as Grace (series 2) Jaheim's mother
Rufus Jones as George Tramley (series 3), Cheddar's father and an MP
Patrick Baladi as Alfie Watlington-Geese (series 3), Carol's ex
Fatiha El-Ghorri as Mrs El-Fassi (series 3)
Guest
Natalie Cassidy as Sharon Hail
Alan Cumming as Alan
Unknown T as himself
Production
Development
In August 2022, it was announced BBC Three had commissioned a six-part series titled Boarders from Daniel Lawrence Taylor and Studio Lambert. In addition to Lawrence Taylor, the series would be executive produced by Susan Hogg and Maddie Sinclair for Studio Lambert, and Ayela Butt and Gaynor Holmes for the BBC. Joining him in the writers room were Emma Dennis-Edwards, Yemi Oyefuwa, and Ryan Calais Cameron. Lawrence Taylor has said that, while fictional, the series was inspired by a real-life article about underprivileged black teens on a scholarship scheme, and influenced by his own experience at a "predominately white and middle class" university.
A second series was announced on 4 June 2024 via the BBC's official media channels. It was confirmed the main cast would reprise their roles. In July 2024, Tubi officially boarded the project as a co-producer for its second series due to the "incredible response" to series 1.
In February 2025, Lawrence Taylor confirmed writing for series 3 was underway.
Casting
In July 2023, it was announced Josh Tedeku, Jodie Campbell, and Myles Kamwendo would star in the series alongside Sekou Diaby and Aruna Jalloh. Creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor would appear in the series as a mentor. Also joining the cast were Derek Riddell, Niky Wardley, Harry Gilby, Tallulah Greive, Rosie Graham, Georgina Sadler, and Assa Kanoute.
In October 2024, the BBC and Tubi announced Wunmi Mosaku had joined the cast of Boarders for its second series, as well as Cara Theobold, Michael Salami, and Kendra Brown. In January 2025, it was revealed Alan Cumming and Natalie Cassidy would make guest appearances in the forthcoming series.
Filming
Principal photography took place in Bristol. Clifton College served as the fictional St Gilbert's in the series. Other filming locations included Ashton Court and Redcliffe.
Episodes
Reception
Critical response
The first series of Boarders received positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 100% based on 8 reviews. Leila Latif of The Guardian gave Boarders four out of five stars and called it "packed with future megastars" in line with the Skins ensemble, singling out Campbell, Diaby, Tedeku, and Kanoute's performances in particular. Louisa Mellor for Den of Geek recommended the series to Sex Education fans. The Daily Telegraph's Poppie Platt also gave the series four stars, calling it "razor-sharp". Morgan Cormack of Radio Times commended how Boarders balances serious, heavy topics and moments of learning with comedy and fun.