If you are currently boycotting American streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Prime Video, you might be left wondering about what hit series to binge next.
The answer is BBC’s Boarders. The second season of Boarders was released earlier this year and is even more action packed than the last. The series follows five Black students as they navigate their new scholarships at an elite boarding school. While Boarders is a comedy, it addresses serious topics like race and privilege in an accessible way that brings viewers into the world of the show.
In Season 1, we are introduced to the main characters that we follow throughout the rest of the series: Jaheim (Josh Teduku), Leah (Jodie Campbell), Omar (Myles Kamwendo), Toby (Sekou Diaby) and Femi (Aruna Jalloh).
These five gifted students known as the Scholarships, are offered special placements at elite boarding, St. Gilbert’s.
As the Scholarships adjust to their new environment, they grapple with the pressure of school, relationships and navigating private school in a society where the norm is white.
At the end of the season, Headmaster Bernard (Derek Riddell), a champion of the Scholarships, is dethroned by Carol (Niky Wardley). This change in authority causes turbulence for the group moving forward into the next season.
In Season 2, the Scholarships face a new challenge: the school is making budget cuts, and the scholarship positions are being reduced from five to three. As the Scholarships struggle with high school drama, they are put to the ultimate test — remaining a united force in the face of change as they band together with their schoolmates.
Jaheim balances his duties as Head Boy while taking care of his family back at home. In season two, we are introduced to Jaheim’s estranged mother, who he is encouraged to reconcile with over the course of the season in order to support his little brother.
With the addition of a new American exchange student, Devon’ye (Kenya Brown), Leah’s friendship with Mabel (Georgina Sadler) is put to the test. Omar becomes increasingly obsessed with a secret society, and ropes his love interest Dilton (Dillon Mitra) in to help with his initiation tasks.
This season is particularly stressful for Femi, who is convinced he will be sent home due to his grades. In an attempt to set himself apart from the other Scholarships, Femi joins the drama club where he discovers a passion for theatre. All of this takes place while Toby attempts to win Abby (Assa Kanoute) back, filling Season 2 with high stakes drama that is sure to bring viewers in.
Although Season 3 has yet to be confirmed, fans online are looking forward to Jaheim’s potential scholarship in America next term and seeing what’s next in store for the other four students in the series. Equal parts funny, memorable and emotional, Boarders is the perfect series to binge on non-American streaming services after finals this April. Boarders is available to stream for free on Tubi and BBC iPlayer.
Contributed Photo/BBC3 on Youtube
