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Top Boy Season 3 follows on directly from the ending of Season 2 – which was technically Series 4, making 5 in total, but anyway…
And yes, I will discuss events from the previous series which aired on Netflix in 2022, while avoiding spoilers for this new one, so make sure you’re up to date.
…All caught up? Good.
As we begin, Sully (Kane Robinson) is still jumpy after bumping off Jamie, while Dushane’s (Ashley Walters – I Am Victoria) about to invest in Shelley’s (Simbi Ajikawo) hairdressing business (which is going to cost more than a million – really? for cutting hair?!), when he gets the news from Jaq (who’s running the square where they sell drugs – how come the cops do nothing about this?)
He’s given the chance to retire, as long as he agrees to – as the title of the opener states – Step Back. Of course, we can guess what will happen if he refuses.
That said, even early on in episode one, I figured the likelihood of Dushane taking time out of the gangster life, and twiddling his thumbs for the final series was a longshot.
Along the way, Jaq (Jasmine Jobson) and Sully take delivery of a new stash which gives rather a shock to the system, immigration are after Kieron Palmer (Joshua Blissett – Young Wallander), which leads to a ‘peaceful protest’ – the kind of ‘peaceful’ that makes you go deaf, there’s a lot of money that’s gone missing, and enter the brilliant Barry Keoghan (The Banshees of Inisherin) as Jonny, who proves before too long that he’s not to be messed with and is going to give our two leads rather a headache.
Also add in the young coupling of Stefan (Araloyin Oshunremi) – Jamie’s son – and Stef’s new beau, Erin (Savanah Graham). Can he make his presence felt where others have failed to do so?
There’s large amounts of tension all round, not least between Sully and Dushane who are really no longer getting on too well, but in the timeless tradition of warring factions in TV drama, as much as they’re really starting to get on each other’s nerves, they still have to work together, even if it’s just one last time.
And the tagline is “No. Loose. Ends.” – so, who will come out on top? Well, no spoilers on that front from me. You’ll have to watch to find out!
My only complaint with this final series is that it’s too short at just 6 episodes and feels rather rushed. 8 would’ve fleshed it out more, but 10 would’ve been even better. I’ve a few additional thoughts to add, but as they hint at potential spoilers – even though I’ll put them behind a spoiler header and since I’m posting this review prior to the streaming date, I’ll wait until 24 hours have passed of the show going live before I add those thoughts.
Still, kudos to the team for a show which leaves you guessing until the very end as to precisely how things will turn out. And no, Bobby Ewing does NOT appear in the shower!
UPDATE: Additional thoughts, including spoilers, so I’ve held off posting this for 24hrs after the programme was available to stream.
Thanks to our friends at Netflix for the screener prior to release.
Spoiler Free review posted: September 6th, 20:00
Updated with additional thoughts: September 8th, 8:00
Top Boy Series 3 is not available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD, but is on Netflix from September 7th.
Detailed specs:
Cert: 
Running time: 40-60 minutes (6 episodes)
Release date: September 7th 2023
Studio: Netflix
Format: 2.00:1
Series Director: Myriam Raja
Producer: Tina Pawlik
Creator: Ronan Bennett
Writers: Ronan Bennett, Elliot Warren
Music: Brian Eno
Cast:
Dushane: Ashley Walters
Sully: Kane Robinson
Shelley: Simbi Ajikawo
Jaq: Jasmine Jobson
Jonny: Barry Keoghan
Pat: Marsha Millar
Stefan: Araloyin Oshunremi
Lauryn: Saffron Hocking
Becks: Adwoa Aboah
Mandy: Natalie Athanasiou ‘Nolay’
Kieron: Joshua Blissett
Tadgh: Brian Gleeson
Junior: Michael Maris
Diana: Michelle Asante
Lithe: Michelle Newell
Erin: Savanah Graham
Romy: Nyshai Caynes
Rowmando: Ansu Njai
Bradders: Ivan Burdon
Samsi: Ilani Marriot-Lodge
Ralph: David Beames
Bill: Brinsley Terrence
Inspector Michaels: Edward Wolstenholme
Immigration Officer: Kathryn McGarr
Police Officers: Alistair Kirton, Connor Mills
Arthur: John Halstead
Amanda: Danielle Walters
Marianne: Fiona Skinner
Linda: Claire Cogan
Arlo: Jumi Ibitoye
Dotz: Terry Dixon
Ali: Heider Fernandes
Chaz: Jordan Dulski
Obi: Kenneth Omole
Natasha: Felicia Mukasa
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.