Top Boy’s A-list producer Drake has expressed his gratitude to the show’s original cast and crew, thanking them for “allowing” him to be part of the revival.
The hit show was unexpectedly cancelled by Channel 4 after two seasons back in 2011, but thanks to Netflix (and Drake) a long-awaited third series will arrive later this month.
Speaking at the premiere in Hackney, the Canadian hitmaker was full of praise for everyone who works on the show.
Referring to the series launch date, Friday September 13, as a “a really big UK heritage moment,” Drake told the audience at the premiere: “You all made it happen, I just wanted it to happen.
“To the cast new and old, the crew, the writers, the production team, everybody that pulled this all together, I really do appreciate it,” he continued. “I just want to say thank you so much for allowing me [to] be a part of it.”
Addressing the fact his Canadian roots seem a far cry from the East London setting of Top Boy, Drake continued: “I know a lot of the time people are like, ‘Yo, you’re not even from there, don’t ever forget you’re not from there.”
“Sometimes it’s not just about where you’re from it’s about places you wish you were from and you all inspire me.
“I’m so proud of the growth of everybody.”
Drake is credited as an executive producer on the new series of Top Boy, having previously revealed how the show caught his attention when he saw it on YouTube.
“That human element drew me in,” he said when the revival was announced. “I started just looking them up. Like, who are these people? Are these actors I should know? Are they just famous over there?
“I remember I hit Future, and I was just like, ‘This show is incredible.’”
The new episodes will see Ashley Walters and Kano, full name Kane Robinson, back as friends Dushane and Sully.
The two men will be seen returning to their old stomping ground, the fictional Summerhouse estate, where Dushane tries to reclaim his position in the drug market.
