Boarders
A BBC Three series about black scholarship teens at a boarding school.
Boarders is a British teen comedy-drama television series created by Daniel Lawrence Taylor. The series centers on five young black teens who earn scholarships to the prestigious boarding school of St. Gilbert's. It was developed by Studio Lambert in association with All3Media International for BBC Three. The first series premiered on 20 February 2024, and the second series on 3 February 2025.
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Lore & Background
Boarders was commissioned by BBC Three in August 2022 as a six-part series. Creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor served as an executive producer alongside Susan Hogg and Maddie Sinclair for Studio Lambert, and Ayela Butt and Gaynor Holmes for the BBC. The writers room included Emma Dennis-Edwards, Yemi Oyefuwa, and Ryan Calais Cameron. Taylor stated 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.
Principal photography took place in Bristol, with Clifton College serving as the fictional St Gilbert's. Other filming locations included Ashton Court and Redcliffe. The main cast was announced in July 2023, including Josh Tedeku, Jodie Campbell, Myles Kamwendo, Sekou Diaby, and Aruna Jalloh, with Taylor appearing as a mentor. A second series was announced on 4 June 2024, with Tubi joining as a co-producer for series 2 due to the 'incredible response' to series 1. In February 2025, Taylor confirmed writing for series 3 was underway.
Reader's Guide
Boarders received positive reviews for its first series. Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 100% based on 8 reviews. Leila Latif of The Guardian gave it four out of five stars, calling it 'packed with future megastars' and comparing it to the Skins ensemble, singling out performances by Campbell, Diaby, Tedeku, and Kanoute. Louisa Mellor for Den of Geek recommended the series to Sex Education fans. The Daily Telegraph's Poppie Platt also gave four stars, calling it 'razor-sharp'. Morgan Cormack of Radio Times commended how the series balances serious, heavy topics and moments of learning with comedy and fun. The series ran for three series, concluding on 15 March 2026.
Did You Know?
- The series was inspired by a real-life article about underprivileged black teens on a scholarship scheme.
- Creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor appears in the series as the character Gus, a mentor.
- Clifton College in Bristol was used as the filming location for the fictional St Gilbert's school.
- Alan Cumming and Natalie Cassidy made guest appearances in the second series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Boarders?
Boarders is a BBC Three teen comedy-drama following five Black teenagers who win scholarships to attend St. Gilbert's, an elite boarding school. The show mixes sharp humour with the social friction of navigating a predominantly white, upper-class environment.
Who created Boarders?
The series was written and created by Daniel Lawrence Taylor, with production handled by Studio Lambert in partnership with All3Media International for BBC Three.
When did Boarders air and how many series are there?
The first series hit screens on 20 February 2024, and a second series followed on 3 February 2025. Two series have been released so far, with no final season confirmed yet.
What is the main setting of Boarders?
Everything takes place at St. Gilbert's, a prestigious boarding school where the five scholarship students find themselves in a world starkly different from their own backgrounds. The class and cultural gap between the students and their peers is a central engine of the plot.
Why is Boarders notable on BBC Three?
It is one of the few teen dramas on the channel built around a fully Black ensemble cast in a comedy-drama tone. The show tackles identity, class, and belonging while keeping a light, funny voice, making it a distinctive entry in the BBC Three slate.
More in BBC Three original programming 1-24
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