Entertainment Avenue: BBC & Tubi's Boarders Gives Coming Of Age Culture in Bold & Beyond The Boundary!

Entertainment Avenue: Boarders Is More than Teen Drama! 

Official Poster. 

Set in a British boarding school where racial diversity is a rarity unless you've got deep pockets to fit in with the incrowd and turn a blind eye, yes we're talking about you Abby. It follows the scholarships who consist of Self sabotage expert Jaheim Marshal. Jack of all trades Toby Staithes. Activist & Wild Child Leah Dulverton. Peer Pressure victim Femi Adebayo and Creative Explorer Omar Palmer-Grace.

Sekou Diaby aa Toby Staithes/BBC

Miles Kamwendo as Omar Palmer-Grace/BBC 

Devon'ye. Leah & Mabel portrayed by Kendra Brown. Jodie Campbell & Georgina Sadler

After a huge scandal that got a nice spin in order to save face they bring in the funded five, who make enemies way too early and instead of fading into the background, there's actually no room so they stick out and rebel. Each of them have storylines centred around who they are and what they believe in as they navigate into this new setting.

It's one of the best shows ever, with the most consistent story that isn't afraid to be humorous, tackle some uncomfortable conversations and also put our characters in challenging situations. They're not overprotected but exposed. With Carol ready to send them packing and a bunch of rich kids who know parents have the money to clean their mess and buy them a job, secured future on a silver platter anyone? Unfortunately it's VIPs only and Leah wants to break the system. Omar is looking for a secret society and stumbles upon love and somehow is kind to the biggest jerk - Rupert, eventually he gets fed up but Rupert proves he isn't a quick fix, a few bonding sessions won't make him frolic in a field of flowers, the writers aren't rushing the necessary plot points. 

As I watched, currently 27 years old I found myself saying "If these were my kids oh my word!" I felt like they needed supervision because wow the things they got up to had my heart racing, Abby is undecided, hot and cold, quick-tempered who goes from safe to close call to elimination when reality sinks in that she may lose her place. Also enjoyed her romance with Toby but she was playing games instead which is something a teenager would do another bonus point for the writing team. 

(From left to right) Tallulah Grieve. Rosie Graham & Assa Kanoute as Beatrix. Florence & Abby

Florence & Beatrix are ambiguous characters, you love them in one scene and the next they're just mean. I loved Florence for wearing her eye mask during Devon'ye's poetry session, the comedy is added in and it doesn't try too hard to use youngster tropes to get a few laughs, it's well thought out with a strong cast bringing some memorable performances.

With the second season I was a bit disappointed because it toned things down, they didn't immediately go in for the kill, the Carol and Leah feud took a backseat, the stories were more on the first floor and didn't go straight into the sky, they are a slow burn as we anticipate Carol's downfall and Femi is the MVP for pulling that wildcard, hopefully he ditches the rascals for good unless him buying that essay comes back to bite him.  And episode 5's epic fallout was truly GOLDEN, Rupert being the only one beaming with joy while everyone was ready for war, it was such a thrilling sequence of confrontations, do drama, more more.

Jaheim receiving an offer to study elsewhere away from the wicked witch (her words, not mine) is an interesting cliffhanger choice, if he were to have a guest role in Season 3 would Toby have to fill up thay role as well or there'll be a new addition?

Overall boarders addresses racism and other teen driven stories without coming across as delivering a speech, it's organic presentation that showcases accurate details and kudos to Daniel Lawrence Taylor. I rarely rewatch a movie or series, if I do I skip a few scenes but I managed to watch the first season a week later and enjoyed it. Definitely a 10/10

Season 2, receives a 9/10. Omar's Relationship with Dilton also didn't receive enough time. Mabel is a fun character. Stanley needs to be dealt with. Pria, Chelsea and Bernard were missed, hope they return. 

Boarders isn't a teen drama that has teens acting like adults, no, you see how they learn (Abby when she was too proud to apologize to Toby) how they learn about responsibilities and sacrifices (Jaheim having to stop playing superman without the capacity). 

Currently streaming on iPlayer. BBC & Stan. Boarders Season 2 Trailer

Available on Tubi (from April 17th 2025) Do check out both seasons starring: Josh Tedeku. Jodie Campbell. Myles Kamwendo. Aruna Jalloh. Sekou Diaby. Assa Kanoute. Tallulah Grieve. Harry Gilby. Rosie Graham. Georgina Sadler and Niky Wardley.

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Until Next Time 

Mzansi Avenue.