First images from Boarders series 2

Daniel Lawrence Taylor's comedy returns

The BBC has released first-look pictures for the return of its comedy-drama Boarders, which will arrive for a second term next year on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three in the UK.

The series was created and written by Daniel Lawrence Taylor, who co-stars as Gus.

The new pictures show Josh Tedeku (Jaheim), Jodie Campbell (Leah), Sekou Diaby (Toby), Myles Kamwendo (Omar) and Aruna Jalloh (Femi) back at St Gilbert’s for the six-part second series.

They are seen alongside returning characters Harry Gilby (Rupert), Tallulah Greive (Beatrix), Rosie Graham (Florence), Assa Kanouté (Abby), Georgina Sadler (Mabel) and Niky Wardley (Carol Watlington-Geese).

Close-up of Daniel Lawrence Taylor as Gus in Boarders. — Gus (Daniel Lawrence Taylor).

Close up of Jaheim (Josh Tedeku) carrying a rucksack outdoors on a sunny day. — Jaheim (Josh Tedeku).

Close up of Leah (Jodie Campbell) stood in a school corridor wearing school uniform and a rucksack. — Leah (Jodie Campbell).

Announced today, new cast members for series two include Wunmi Mosaku (Loki) as Jaheim’s mum, Grace. Cara Theobold (Downtown Abbey) joins the cast as St Gilbert’s new writer in residence Jude, with Michael Salami (Supacell) as Femi’s Uncle Teju. Kendra Brown stars in her debut on-screen role as the new American exchange student, Devon’ye.

Boarders follows five talented black inner-city teens transported to an alien world – a British boarding school – after gaining scholarships to the prestigious St. Gilbert’s. They set out to make the most out of the opportunity, despite their places only being offered as a poorly-disguised PR exercise to improve the reputation of the school.

Close up of Omar (Myles Kamwendo) stood in a stone archway next to a door, beside a flaming torch mounted to the wall. — Omar (Myles Kamwendo).

Close up of Femi (Aruna Jalloh) standing in front of a microphone on a stage — Femi (Aruna Jalloh).

Close up of Toby (Sekou Diaby) sat in a canteen with other students wearing school uniform. — Toby (Sekou Diaby).

Series two sees a new era for St Gilbert’s, with headmaster Bernard - who had brought the scholarship students into the school - suspended following a school rebellion. Now acting headmistress Carol Watlington-Geese (who also happens to be the mother of Jaheim’s nemesis, Rupert) is at the helm - and she wants them gone.

Returning cast from series one also include Zheng Xi Yong (Xiang), Dillon Mitra (Dilton), Archie Fisher (Cheddar), Andrew Harmon-Gray (Graham), Ruxandra Porojnicu (Yelena), Kye Malcom (Caleb), Llewella Gideon (Sylvie), Mohammed Mansaray (Malachi), Niyi Akin (Koku), Maxim Ays (Felix), Al Foran (Stanley), William Andrews (Mackers) and Yuriri Naka (Ms Kaneko).

Daniel Lawrence Taylor said: 'Bringing the new season of Boarders to life has been an incredible experience, especially with the exciting addition of new faces to the cast. Watching the actors effortlessly return to their roles, as if they had never left, has been an absolute joy. We hope you enjoy this second helping of the series as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it!'

Rupert (Harry Gilby) stands on the road outside a house at nighttime. A car is parked behind him. — Rupert (Harry Gilby).

An audience of students wearing matching school uniforms. Florence (Rosie Graham), Abby (Assa Kanouté), and Beatrix (Tallulah Greive) sit next to each other in the centre of the image, and look at something offscreen in surprise. — L-R: Florence (Rosie Graham), Abby (Assa Kanouté), and Beatrix (Tallulah Greive).

Close up of Grace (Wunmi Mosaku). — Grace (Wunmi Mosaku).

Jude (Cara Theobold) stands in the grounds of a grand building. Students in school uniform walk in the background. — Jude (Cara Theobold).

Devon’ye (Kendra Brown), Leah (Jodie Campbell), and Mabel (Georgina Sadler) stand in front of a notice board full of posters. — L-R: Devon’ye (Kendra Brown), Leah (Jodie Campbell), and Mabel (Georgina Sadler).

Carol Watlington-Geese (Niky Wardley) stands at a wooden pulpit and looks out at her audience. — Carol Watlington-Geese (Niky Wardley).

Madeleine Sinclair, executive producer for Studio Lambert, added: 'We’re so thrilled with our cast for series two of Boarders, both the wonderful returning characters and the exciting new faces – viewers are in for a real treat. Daniel’s scripts are once again as funny as they are thought-provoking and our talented cast come together to bring them to life perfectly.'

Boarders series two production credits

Created by: Daniel Lawrence Taylor
Written by: Daniel Lawrence Taylor, Yemi Oyefuwa, Jeffrey Aidoo and Racheal Ofori
Director: Joelle Mae David and Sarmad Masud
Producer: Ali MacPhail
Line producer: Carleen Beadle-Larcombe
Musical director: Mykaell Riley
Executive producers: Daniel Lawrence Taylor, Madeleine Sinclair and Susan Hogg for Studio Lambert, and Nawfal Faizullah and Katherine Bond for the BBC

Published: 16 Oct 2024