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Who does rapper Dave play in Top Boy? Meet all the season 3 cast of Drake’s Netflix show
AFTER a two-year, a new series of Top Boy landed on Netflix to deliver more gripping drama from one of the world's most famous estates.
The likes of Ashley Walters and Kane Robinson returned for the 10-part instalment, but who else is back from the original series and what else should you know? Here's the lowdown...
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Who is in the Top Boy cast?
The show will bring back the original cast and also some new faces:
Ashley Walters plays Dushane
In season three, Ashley Walter's character Dushane returns to London after a lengthy time in Kingston, Jamaica.
Upon his return, he decides to get back into the drug business, having struck a deal with a drug lord that will earn him and his client a lot of money.
Ashley plays a pivotal part in the show - not just as an actor, but also as one of the show's creators, so there was no doubt he wouldn't make a comeback.
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Kane "Kano" Robinson plays Sully
Ashley's partner-in-crime Sully, played by Kane Robinson, is also back for another run.
The two aren't on good terms at the beginning of the series, mainly because Dushane had disappeared to Jamaica while Sully continued hustling in the streets of London.
Despite their differences, however, it's always understood that Sully and Ashley care a lot for one another, but you'll have to tune in to find out whether they patched up their differences.
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Michael Ward plays Jamie
Michael Ward is one of Top Boy's newcomers, but it goes without saying that the actor has already proven himself to be quite the powerhouse.
Despite his limited number of credentials in the industry, Michael, who plays Jamie, does a superb job bringing across the narrative of a young adult dealing with family issues, murder, and corruption.
Before landing his big break, Michael starred in The A-list and Lily Allen's Trigger Bang music video featuring rapper Giggs.
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Shone Romulus returns as Dris
Shone Romulus is another character who's made their return to the show for the new Netflix original series.
Since 2011, Shone has played the part of Dris, having reprised the character for a whopping 18 episodes so far.
Other roles that the actor is known for having starred in include The Intent 2, Lace Up 2 and No Shade.
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Dave stars as Modie
UK rapper Dave is making his acting debut in the third series of the gritty show.
The 21-year-old plays Modie who has quite the exchange with Sully in episode two while locked up in prison.
Prior to his release, Sully threw acid in Modie's face, but it's only a matter of time before he also gets released and seeks revenge.
Ashley Thomas returns as Jermaine
Ashley Thomas made his arrival on Top Boy in the show's second series when it was still on Channel 4.
Following its revival, producers were keen to get him to sign on for the Netflix edition and the rest was history.
Ashley is back as Jermaine in the newest season.
He's previously played roles on shows such as Ice, 24: Legacy and Beowulf: Returns to the Shieldlands...
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Ricky Smarts is back as Jason
We weren't too sure if Ricky Smarts was going to be back until the official word came from Netflix and IMDb.
The actor, who plays Jason in the show, was known for wearing larger than life puffy jackets in season two, which fans found rather hilarious.
Well, Jason is all grown up now but things have only worsened for him: His mother died, he has no family, and he's selling drugs to make ends meet.
Luckily, Sully is back in his life, who guides him on a path away from self-destruction.
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New cast members include:
- Lisa Dwan plays Lizzie, who is viewed as a white, privileged drug dealer
- Kadeem Ramsay stars as Kit, the right-hand man to Jamie, who is known for selling drugs in London
- Saffron Hocking plays Lauryn, who is one of Jamie's drug dealers
- Other new names to the show include Jasmine Jobson, Kola Bokinni and Hope Ikpoku.
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How is Drake involved in Top Boy?
In a statement, Top Boy creator Ronan Bennett said: "I am delighted to be reunited once more with the Top Boy team, our wonderful cast and to have Drake as a new collaborator.
"And I could not be prouder to be doing the show with Netflix."
Back in 2015, it was reported that Drake had offered to fund a third series of the show.
And in 2017 the rapper told The Hollywood Reporter how he had been enthralled by the series after catching it on YouTube.
He said: “And that human element drew me in.
"I started just looking them up. Like, who are these people? Are these actors I should know? Are they just famous over there? I remember I hit Future, and I was just like, ‘This show is incredible'.”
In 2018 it was revealed that Drake is an executive producer on the new series after reuniting the original team back together.
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When did Top Boy premiere on Netflix?
After six years Top Boy was brought back to your screens thanks to Netflix.
You can watch the third series NOW - it was released on September 13.
And diehard fans will be pleased to learn that the third series will be comprised of 10 episodes all available to binge-watch at once - which marks a welcomed change to the weekly wait for each episode when the first two seasons aired on Channel 4.
The show follows the rise of Dushane and his friend Sully in the dangerous underground drugs business.
The show won a BAFTA in 2012, but was dropped a year later by Channel 4 despite its cult following.
Lead actor Ashley Walters, announced the news of the show's return on Twitter saying: "So after years of speculation and anticipation I can finally reveal that we have managed to secure a brand new home for the new season of TOPBOY!
He added: "In all honesty I'm more happy for you guys than myself. We're going back to Summerhouse. @TopBoyNetflix 2019".
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What will happen in the new series of Top Boy?
The award-winning show originally aired on Channel 4 from 2011 to 2013 and attracted an international audience thanks to its hard-hitting storylines about life on a London council estate.
Series three picks up as Dushane (Ashley Walters) returns from exile to his home in London to reclaim his throne in the highly lucrative drug market.
He teams up with Sully (Kane Robinson), his spiritual brother, partner and sometime rival who is also returning to the same streets after his own form of exile – prison – comes to an end.
Awaiting them both is Jamie (Michael Ward), the young, hungry and ruthless gang leader whose ambitions leave no place for Dushane and Sully.
Trailer for Channel 4 drama Top Boy written by Ronan Bennett
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