Top Boy (2019)

A raw and uncompromising Netflix crime drama set on the streets of London, where loyalty, power, and survival collide across three gripping seasons.

Top Boy - Series Information

  • Original Title: Top Boy
  • First Air Year: 2019
  • Last Air Year: 2023
  • Created by: Ronan Bennett
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Crime, Drama, Action, Adventure
  • Content Rating (US): TV-MA
  • Number of Seasons: 3
  • Number of Episodes: 24
  • Status: Ended
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: September 13, 2019 (United States - TV-MA), September 13, 2019 (United Kingdom - 15), September 13, 2019 (Germany - 16), September 13, 2019 (France - 16), September 13, 2019 (Brazil - 18), September 13, 2019 (Mexico - C), September 13, 2019 (South Korea - 19)
  • Networks: Netflix
  • Production Companies: DreamCrew, Cowboy Films, SpringHill Entertainment
  • Production Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America
  • Alternative Titles: Top Boy (2019) (UK)

Top Boy - Plot

Two seasoned drug dealers return to the gritty street of London, but their pursuit of money and power is threatened by a young and ruthless hustler.

Top Boy - Trailer

Preview the world of Top Boy before diving into the full series:

Loyalty before everything.

Where to Watch Top Boy

Looking for where to watch Top Boy?

Top Boy - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • Ronan Bennett

Main Cast

  • Kane Robinson
  • Ashley Walters
  • Micheal Ward
  • Araloyin Oshunremi
  • Joshua Blisset
  • Jasmine Jobson
  • Little Simz
  • Kadeem Ramsay
  • Hope Ikpoku Jnr
  • Lisa Dwan

Executive Producers

  • Yann Demange
  • Drake

Top Boy - FAQs

Where can you stream Top Boy online?

Top Boy is available exclusively on Netflix, including Netflix Standard with Ads. All three seasons — comprising 24 episodes — are available to stream in full. Availability may vary by region, so check JustWatch to confirm streaming options where you are.

Is Top Boy based on a true story?

Top Boy is not based on a specific true story, but creator Ronan Bennett drew heavily on real-life research into London's drug trade, gang culture, and urban poverty. The series reflects authentic social conditions in East London's housing estates, lending it a documentary-like realism despite being fictional.

What is Top Boy about?

Top Boy follows two veteran drug dealers, Dushane and Sully, as they fight to reclaim dominance over London's street trade. Their ambitions are tested by a fierce young rival, shifting loyalties, and the brutal realities of life on the estate. Critics praised its unflinching portrayal of urban survival.

Why did Top Boy end after Season 3?

Netflix confirmed that Season 3 was intended as the definitive conclusion to the series. Creator Ronan Bennett and the producers chose to end the story on their own terms, delivering a planned finale rather than continuing indefinitely. The show concluded in 2023 after 24 episodes across three seasons.

What happens at the end of Top Boy?

In the Season 3 finale, the long-running tension between Dushane and Sully reaches a violent and irreversible conclusion. Without revealing every detail, the ending delivers on years of built-up rivalry and moral compromise, closing out both characters' arcs in a manner widely described as bleak, bold, and thematically consistent.

Who are the main actors in Top Boy?

Top Boy stars Kane Robinson as Sully and Ashley Walters as Dushane, the series' two central figures. The ensemble also includes Micheal Ward as Jamie, Jasmine Jobson as Jaq, Little Simz as Shelley, Araloyin Oshunremi as Stefan, and Hope Ikpoku Jnr as Aaron, among others.

How many seasons and episodes does Top Boy have?

Top Boy (2019) consists of 3 seasons and 24 episodes in total. Season 1 contains 10 episodes, Season 2 has 8 episodes, and Season 3 wraps the series with 6 episodes. The show ran on Netflix from September 2019 until its conclusion in 2023.

Did Top Boy win any awards?

Top Boy received significant critical recognition, earning BAFTA nominations and wins across its run, including recognition for its writing, performances, and direction. Micheal Ward in particular drew widespread awards attention. The series was broadly celebrated as one of the finest British dramas of its era.

More About Top Boy

Explore further details about Top Boy through these authoritative resources:

Help Us Keep Our Content Accurate.

Report an Error