Boarders series two cast and creatives reveal tease changes, challenges and blossoming relationships as a new term begins

BBC News

27-01-2025

Boarders follows five talented black inner-city teens (Jaheim, Leah, Toby, Omar and Femi) transported to an alien world – a British boarding school – after gaining scholarships to prestigious St. Gilbert's.
They set out to make the most out of the opportunity, despite their places only being offered as a poorly disguised PR exercise to improve the reputation of the school.
Series two sees a new era for St Gilbert's, with the now acting headmistress Carol Watlington-Geese (who also happens to be the mother of Jaheim's nemesis, Rupert) at the helm - and she wants Jaheim, Leah, Toby, Omar and Femi gone.
Series one saw these five outsiders begin to thrive. Series two asks how much they're willing to sacrifice just to survive.
Watch series two of Boarders on BBC iPlayer on Monday 3 February and add to your watchlist.
Series Two of Boarders lands on BBC iPlayer in full on Monday 3 February and on Tubi and ZDFneo later in the year.
Hear from the cast and creators teasing the upcoming series...
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Interview with Daniel Lawrence Taylor
Creator, writer and executive producer
What can we expect for the five leads this series?
You can expect to see quite a lot of substantial changes this series. In series one, it was about them being fish out of water in this very new experience. In this new series, I feel like they understand the world more and if anything, they want to be part of that world now too. They've adapted to it and now you get to see them enjoy themselves more. We still have the clash of cultures shown but it is not as prevalent now. There is a nice transition to now see them embedded within the school a little bit more in series two.
What was your aim and goal when writing the new series?
The foundation of Boarders is showing black joy on screen even through adversity, and that was still my aim for series two. There was a slight conflict in me as I was writing the new series because in that first series it was a very clear culture clash and there was a side of me that could have repeated more of that for series two because it's quite juicy just from a dramatic point of view, but I wanted to show that you can be part of an establishment and an institution but enjoy yourself and be a part of it.
It's very true of my experience at the university I went to, which was very white and very middle class. When I first stepped in, I found it very alienating but then over time, it became one of my favourite places to be and I have very fond memories of it. My goal was to show the truth to the reality of being black in those institutions and I hope I have achieved that. We'll see!
How did you work to bring the essence of series one to series two?
The show is really about the characters so I think that's the essence of the show. When we began production, it was about remembering those characters and what we loved about them and how we could develop and build upon those characters.
I think people will come back to the show because of those characters and the actors that play those characters do a tremendous job at having us fall in love and warm to them - even when they make mistakes at certain times!
Can you talk us through that timeline of this series?
I wanted to jump forward to a new term so I think it's nice that they kind of go away, have their home life and then have an excitement of coming back to school and all the potential new things that can happen.
Why do you think the series has such universal appeal?
Because it is a classic fish out of water story. I think everyone can relate to it in some way shape or form. We all know what it's like to be young, in school, falling in love and then clashing with certain individuals to then shape yourself as an individual. Even though a lot of Boarders is done through the lens of race, it's universally just about being an Other. With its mix of characters, Boarders shows different types of otherness that I think everyone can relate to.
What would you say to people who have yet to watch the first series before series two?
I would tell people to watch series one because A) it's brilliant and B) it must be brilliant because we've got a second series! What makes me so proud about the show is that we were able to show a black experience on screen from completely different angles, and it is done with joy and laughter.
It's a real piece of entertainment which I'm really proud of and I think the cast, some of whom had never acted professionally before, are brilliant. It's just a really good, fun show. It's 45 minutes of pure entertainment where you laugh, cry, gasp and you're shocked – it has it all!
Interview with Josh Tedeku (Jaheim)
How does it feel to be back?
Weird honestly! So much has happened and changed but I'm ready for the people to get another series as they enjoyed the first one so much.
What are you excited for series two?
I'm excited for people to see the blossoming of Jaheim and Toby's relationship. It was really fun to build on that this series.
What's going on with Jaheim at the start of series two?
He's going through a lot. He's got issues with his family, people at school to deal with and then Carol, the new headmistress, who is now his biggest enemy. So all in all, it's a lot for Jaheim. How does he deal with it all? You'll have to tune in to find out!
What has been your favourite moment?
My favourite moment has to be shooting a scene with Mohammed Mansaray who plays Malachi and Zheng Xi Yong who plays Xiang, where we were improvising an argument where we were just hammering each other with insults. The insults we used against each other were so ridiculous and funny – we were all dying of laughter that day!
How has it been working with the directors, Joelle Mae David and Sam Masud?
It was great working with Sam after working with him last series. Joelle is amazing and made the process so smooth and easy. Shout out to Joelle!
Can you summarise series one in one word?
Easy.
Can you summarise series two in one word?
Weird!
Interview with Jodie Campbell (Leah)
How does it feel to be back?
It's exciting. I feel very grateful to be back, so a big shout out to everyone who watched it because we wouldn't be back if it wasn't for them. I'm very grateful and excited just to continue to carry on what we started. It feels good to be back with my friends again - it feels like a big summer link up!
What's going on with Leah at the start of series two?
At the start of series two, Leah feels like she's hit the jackpot with a new black girl in the school, Devonyé which is exciting for her. The dynamic between them both is interesting. Leah wants to like her but she finds there's something about her that she doesn't quite warm to and she doesn't know why which is difficult for her.
This then creates further challenges for her that ultimately have a knock on effect on her other friendships so you'll need to tune in to see how that all plays out!
How did you feel showing a more vulnerable side of your character?
Whilst preparing myself to play the character this series, I tapped into my 16 year old inner self which has the tendency to think something is the craziest thing that's ever happened in life when really it's not that serious! With that in mind, I tried to tap into those emotions and bring that in my character and on screen.
What was it like working with the directors, Joelle Mae David and Sam Masud?
We worked with Sam in series one which was great however, it's our first time working with Joelle and she's been great to work with. She really makes the set a safe space and I love her so much. I feel very lucky to be working with her on this series.
What are you most excited for this series?
I'm excited for everyone's character development and see where we've come from the start of last series. Even away from our characters, with creating these past two series, we've all grown as actors too.
How would you summarise Boarders in one word?
Mad!
Interview with Myles Kamwendo (Omar)
What are you excited about for series two?
I'm excited to see these characters just flourish and develop and I hope viewers will be excited to see that too!
What's going on with Omar at the start of series two?
He's a part of the Raisinettes, a secret society that we see in series one which we'll delve deeper into in series two. As well as that, we see him and Dilton's relationship develop. So, watch it and see how it unfolds!
What's been your favourite moment so far?
My favourite moment so far was shooting the opening scene of the current series. It was a hot day but we had some incredible food that day and it was a lot of fun shooting with the rest of the cast.
What was it like navigating a relationship in this series?
It was a great experience when I first received the scripts to see how Omar and Dilton's relationship builds throughout the series. It's one thing playing a friendship but there are many aspects to consider in playing a character who is building and going through a relationship.
How has it been working with the directors, Joelle Mae David and Sam Masud?
It's been great working with Sam again after working together last series. Having Joelle on board has been amazing as she just allows us to do what we need to do and that's the best thing you can ask for.
How would you describe series one in one word?
Drama.
How would you describe series two in one word?
Progress.
Interview with Sekou Diaby (Toby)
Where do we find Toby this series?
At the start of series two, we find Toby where we left him at the end of series one – going through heartbreak. Abby, his newfound love made him feel unwanted and he's tried to get over her but he's just not been able to shake it. He sees himself as a hustler though so he's been hustling to distract himself from his emotions. However, that's easier said than done!
What have been your favourite moments on set?
I loved filming on location in the English countryside as I spent a lot of time there as a child so it was great to revisit those spaces whilst doing my job that I love. It was a really nice feeling.
What was it like working with the directors, Joelle Mae David and Sam Masud?
It was great to work with Sam again after working together last series but working with Joelle for the first time this series has been great. Joelle has got a great artistic eye in the way she shot her episodes this series. I feel like it had a really good balance between beautiful and modern cinematic shots whilst keeping that British comedic feel.
Joelle lets you find the character and asks all of us questions to allow us to apply our own thoughts on how the character would do something. With this series, I think viewers will really get up close and personal to the characters.
Do we get to see more of the 'real' Toby this series?
Even though Toby puts on this front and has this big personality, that's obviously not his full authentic self. If you read between the lines, he is quite open and you can read him so I think we will get to see more of that this series.
Last series, you were arguably seen as one of the standout characters. What are you bringing this time around to keep fans excited about Toby?
I'm just doing what I did in the last series which was trying to tell the story realistically and I'm not trying to do anything extra – I just want to be real and authentic to the character.
Interview with Aruna Jalloh (Femi)
How does it feel to be back?
I feel quite grounded, ecstatic, and ready to be back! We know what to expect now as a cast in this second series and I'm just looking forward to what's to come this time around.
What's going on with Femi in series two?
In series two, his position is in question in the school. He feels like the weakest link and is in quite a depressive state until he finds someone who lifts him out of that.
How does Femi develop as the series goes on?
Femi speaks out more this series. He was quite timid and rigid in the first series but we can expect to see a more free, open Femi this time.
Favourite moment so far?
My favourite moment has been working with Cara Theobold who plays Jude. She has been such a source of calm and knowledge and it's been a joy working with her!
Hardest moment?
I had to learn a Shakespeare monologue this series and that was quite challenging to learn! Having a theatre background helped with learning it but translating that into TV was a challenge but really fun.
What was it like being back with the cast again?
It's been great – we have lots of banter but we always focus in the end. We make sure we know what we're doing but we also focus on having fun and ensuring there's joy at the centre of everything.
How has it been working with the directors, Joelle Mae David and Sam Masud?
Joelle is dope! Shout out to Joelle. She allows space for your performance and provides great feedback on set. She really cares about how the episodes look. Shout out also to Yinka (the Director of Photography). We worked with Sam last year who was also great. He gives you freedom to do what you need to do as well. He's really trusting of what you do.
Can you summarise series one in one word?
Chaos.
Interview with Madeleine Sinclair
Studio Lambert Creative Director for Scripted and executive producer
Can you recap series one for us?
Series one of Boarders is about five underprivileged black teenagers from South London who get scholarships to a very elite boarding school, St. Gilbert's. They were offered these places as a sort of PR coup by the school to try and improve their reputation, but these kids decide they're going to make the most of this opportunity and get what they can out of it.
What can you tell us about where we are in series two?
Series two of Boarders starts off in a new term and Bernard, who was the previous headmaster, has been suspended following a big school riot. So now, coming in as acting headmistress, is Carol Watlington-Geese, who is Rupert's mother. Rupert is Jaheim's nemesis from series one and now she's in charge and she is very anti our five leads. She doesn't like them and she doesn't want them in the school. What are our leads going to do to survive?
Can you summarise the main motivations of each character in this new series?
Jaheim was made Head Boy in series one, and he's worked really hard to get where he is. His real motivation now is to hang onto everything that he's worked so hard for. However, we start to realise during this series that he's got a lot of problems going on at home that are distracting him, and they start to interfere with his schoolwork and his relationships at school.
Leah's motivation is trying to find her place in the school. There's a new character who comes into series two, Devonyé. She's a black American exchange student and Leah believes they're going to be friends and activists together. But instead, Leah starts to feel a bitthreatened by her arrival.
Omar is motivated to try and have his first relationship. There's a lot of ups and downs with him dealing with his own sexual anxiety. He's also motivated to try and make the most of his membership to an exclusive society, The Raisinettes, that he's finally managed to get in to at the end of series one. Now, he must work out quickly what they want from him and what it'll cost him to give it.
Toby is motivated by love in this series. He met a girl he liked, Abby but things didn't end in such a great place for them last series. Now in series two, he's determined to win her back. Although he pretends he's not interested at the beginning, of course he is.
He makes a lot of promises that he can't really deliver on but, with Toby being Toby, he's always trying to talk his way out of things which makes things worse. His motivation is how to fix the problems that he's creating himself and get the girl in the end.
Femi, as ever, is motivated by how he's going to be able to stay at the school. In series one, although he got into the school, he never felt as academically strong as the others. He made friends with some well-connected, rich, old-money boys and he desperately does not want to get sent to a Nigerian boarding school like his brother. In series two, he's given a surprising opportunity and discovers a new talent. This, at last, gives him a chance to feel good about himself and a way to excel. So his motivation now is to pull this off and use it as a way to stay at St Gilbert's.
Why do you believe Boarders resonates with audiences?
I think it's very relatable as it's a coming-of-age story about a group of young people trying to find themselves, struggling with identity and belonging. I think that is a universal story whether you are currently living it or whether you remember it. With Boarders, the focus is on a group of young black teens coming into a white majority environment and how they navigate that. Beyond school, I think that experience can resonate widely.
Do you have a favourite scene from this series?
I have lots of favourite scenes from this series. But one thing I've really enjoyed in series two is the building friendship between Jaheim and Toby. We saw that develop in series one, but we see much more of it in series two as these two start to rely on each other.
Who's your favourite new character this series?
Devonyé, played by Kendra Brown is fantastic and she brings a really different energy. She's very enthusiastic which some people can find a little annoying but it always comes from a good place! She's a really fun character to have in the mix.
For anyone yet to watch Boarders, why should they tune in?
If you did miss series one, then you should rectify that immediately and go and watch it on BBC iPlayer! It is joyful, fun, truthful, authentic, very well written, beautifully acted and directed and I think you'll have a really good time watching!