DAYS after its second season dropped on our screens a comedy branded best on the Beeb lands a third series.
The series focuses on five talented black inner-city teens who gain scholarships to the prestigious St. Gilbert’s boarding school.
Days after its second season dropped on our screens a comedy branded best on the Beeb lands a third series[/caption]
Natalie Cassidy guest stars in Boarders series two[/caption]
Alan Cumming also guest stars in season two[/caption]
Fans of the hit show Boarders can now enjoy all six episodes of series two on BBC iPlayer.
It sees the return of Jaheim Marsham (Josh Tedeku), Leah Dulverton (Jodie Campbell), Omar Palmer-Grace (Myles Kamwendo), Femi Adebeyo (Aruna Jalloh) and Toby Staithes (Sekou Diaby).
Show creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor also plays a supporting role as Gus.
In series two, the group face new challenges with acting headmistress Carol Watlington-Geese (Niky Wardley) on their case.
But Daniel is already developing further episodes for a third series.
“I’m already writing it and I’ve got a team full of writers already scribbling away” he told presenters Gaby Roslin and Rav Wilding on the BBC show Morning Live.
“So fingers crossed, we just really need people to watch it and support it, then hopefully it will be a thing.”
Newcomers joining the season two cast include EastEnders icon Natalie Cassidy, aka Sonia Fowler.
The actress – who recently announced her exit from the BBC soap – takes on the role of Sharon Hail, a teacher at a rival school.
Scottish actor and The Traitors US host Alan Cumming also appears in the new season.
Alan portrays a character also named Alan, a man with high standards of the students at St. Gilbert’s.
“I was so, so fortunate” Daniel said after Natalie messaged him on Instagram telling him how much she loved the show.
She was like: “Oh, I love it and we should get to work together.
“So I took that as contractually binding. I asked the director to send a message and she was well up for it, so I was really, really glad that she came to do it.
Best BBC comedies
We look back at some of the best to ever grace the screen.
Fawlty Towers (1975-1979) – Only two series were made of the beloved institution. However, the cultural impact of the series starring John Cleese and Connie Booth spans decades. It follows rude and intolerant Basil Fawlty (Cleese) as he attempts to improve the reputation of his hotel.
Only Fools and Horses (1981-2003) – The show was crowned by some as the best British sitcom of all time by a TV poll in 2004. Seven series were broadcast on BBC until 1991 with additional sporadic Christmas specials airing until 2003. Sir David Jason starred as ambitious market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter whilst Nicholas Lyndhurst played his younger half-brother Rodney. Set in working-class Peckham in south-east London, it follows the highs and lows of the lives of the Trotters’, in particular their brazen attempts to get rich.
Blackadder (1983 – 1989) – Four series were made of the iconic show, created by Richard Curtis and Rowan Atkinson. Each series spans a different historical period as anti-hero Edmund Blackadder (Atkinson) tries to better himself in each society. Accompanied by his dogsbody Baldrick (Tony Robinson), trouble always ensues. A TV poll in 2004 found that Blackadder was voted the second-best British sitcom of all time
Absolutely Fabulous (1992 – 2012) – Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley star as failing PR guru Edina ‘Eddie’ Monsoon and alcoholic fashionista Patsy Stone. The pair embark on heavy-drinking sessions and abuse drugs in a desperate attempt to stay ‘hip’. Eddie constantly chases bizarre fads and fails to lose weight whilst her disappointed and neglected daughter Saffy (Julia Sawalha) looks on.
Little Britain (2003 – 2006) – The premise is simple. A sketch show which features different British people from all walks of life that are engaged in all sorts of comical scenarios. Starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams, the pair created iconic pop culture characters. Viewers loved obnoxious council estate teenager Vicky Pollard, morbidly obese scrounger Bubbles Devere, slimming coach Marjorie Dawes, despondent office worker Carol Beer, disgraced politician Sir Norman Fry, of course the iconic Lou and Andy!
The Catherine Tate Show (2004-2015) – A sketch show starring the likes of Catherine Tate. She made iconic characters such as rowdy schoolgirl Lauren Cooper with her line ‘Am I bovvered?’. Other characters featured Bernie the nurse, the aga saga woman, complaining couple Janice and Ray, and of course her infamous ‘Nan’, Joannie Taylor. The last character herself spawned multiple specials and even a movie.
Gavin and Stacey (2007 – Present) The series tells the story of Gavin (Matthew Horne) and Stacey (Joanna Page). The pair embarked on an online and telephone romance for six months. But when they finally decide to be together properly, their friends and family get in the way. Ruth Jones and James Corden created the beloved show, which has been going for over a decade. The 2019 Christmas special was the most-watched comedy in 17 years and the most-viewed non-sporting event in a decade.
“And the same for Alan, he was a big fan of the show and so we went about writing him a part.
“He loved it and he got involved, (playing the host of a party that the St Gilbert’s students find themselves at).”
Daniel also shared his dream guest actors for future episodes.
“I’d love Idris Elba or Daniel Kaluuya. Or if we’re going really high, I want to get Denzel Washington involved!” he said.
Alan explained earlier in an interview on Deadline: “I’ve always said that letting people know you are a fan of theirs is a good idea.
“And, so it was with Boarders. I mentioned this to the producers — who also happen to produce The Traitors — and very soon after, I found myself on the set having such a fun time.”
Meanwhile, Boarders has been receiving rave online reviews from its audience.
A five-star user review on Rotten Tomatoes declared it is the “best show on BBC.”
It added: “Funny comedy while there are also serious topics being covered. I would recommend this to anyone.”
While a glowing IMDB review read: “A captivating series that will leave you yearning for more I devoured all six episodes of this phenomenal series in record time, and I’m still reeling from the experience.
“With its expertly woven narrative, complex characters, and relentless pacing, this show has secured a spot on my list of all-time favourites.”
Series two of Boarders is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
