Season four of the British Crime drama Top Boy started on Friday and follows a group of drug dealers based in the fictional Hackney estate Summerhouse.
Top Boy’s characters are styled around the Grime aesthetic and London streetwear, the 2000s British culture that has become a staple in the hit crime drama series wardrobe.
Vice report that one of the show's stars (and accomplished rapper) Ashley Walters has said of the streaming service, "Top Boy is a raw, real representation of street culture."
Top Boy showcases brands such as The North Face puffer jackets, Italian brand Stone Island outerwear, and signature sportswear brand tracksuits like Adidas and Nike.
But how do the cast’s styles differ in real life when they are out of character? You may be shocked.
It turns out many of the cast are Grime stars in real life.
Ashley Walters aka Asher D, as Dushane
Ashley Walters is a 39-year-old rapper and accomplished actor from Peckham, who is the lead character Dushane in Top Boy and has eight children in real life.
He went on to take classes at the esteemed Sylvia Young Theatre School and starred in some stage productions before joining So Solid Crew.
He is known for his musical career outside of Top boy and was a key member of the iconic British rap group, So Solid Crew, back in 2001.
He has had acting parts in The Bill, Saul Dibb's 2004 feature film Bullet Boy and 2005's Get Rich or Die Tryin' alongside 50 Cent.
Saffron Hocking - Lauryn
Saffron Hocking, 28, is an Actress and Model who plays the character Lauryn.
Saffron is known for BBC’s White Gold (2017), London Kills (2019) and the Channel 4 production of Top Boy (2011).
She is signed with UK agency Storm Management under their artist section.
As well as a strong body of acting work, Saffron also has a passion for writing and directing.
Her real-life persona is the complete opposite of her character Lauryn.
Kane Robinson aka Kano, as Sully
Kane Robinson, 36, better known as Kano, is a British rapper, songwriter and actor from East Ham, London.
A significant contributor to grime music, Kano is widely considered one of the pioneers of grime music and culture, alongside artists such as Wiley and Dizzee Rascal.
Kane plays Gerard John "Sully" Sullivan' who is a drug kingpin who served as an underboss for Dushane Hill.
In real life, he supported Jay Z in 2006 in the Royal Albert Hall.
Here’s what the actor looks like out of character. Not far off Sully.
Jasmine Jobson 'Jaq'
Jasmine Jobson is 26 and best known for playing Jaq.
In 2020 Jasmine was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for BAFTA. She also won the award for "Best Emerging Talent" at the 2019 MViSA’S for her portrayal of her character Jaq.
In Top Boy, Jasmine plays drug-dealing tomboy Jaq, but away from the show, she looks worlds away from her character.
Micheal Ward plays Jamie Tovell
Micheal Ward is a 24-year-old Jamaican-born British actor and former model.
Ward started his career while he was at college when he was spotted by an ex-teacher, who worked for a talent management agency which Ward later signed with.
At the age of seventeen, Ward won the Face of JD Sports modelling competition.
He has modelled for many well-known brands since and was handpicked by Virgil Abloh to model for Louis Vuitton’s AW20 menswear campaign in August 2020.
Ward made his film debut in Brotherhood in 2016.
He also appeared in the BBC show The A-List in 2018.
Simbi Ajikawo aka Little Simz, as Shelley
Simbiatu "Simbi" Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, 28, is better known by her stage name Little Simz.
She is a British rapper, singer and actress of Yoruba heritage.
Simz' acting career began with the role of Vicky in the BBC children's series Spirit Warriors, originally broadcast in 2010, and as Meleka in the E4 television series, Younger.
Simbi's style is the exact same in real life.
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