Boarders | Series 2 Preview (BBC Three)

Boarders follows five talented black inner-city teens 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 headmaster Bernard - who had brought the scholarship students into the school - suspended following a school rebellion. Now acting headmistress Carol Watlington-Geese (who also happens to be the mother of Jaheim’s nemesis, Rupert) is at the helm - and she wants them gone. 

Josh Tedeku (Jaheim), Jodie Campbell (Leah), Sekou Diaby (Toby), Myles Kamwendo (Omar) and Aruna Jalloh (Femi) are back at St Gilbert’s for series two. They are alongside returning characters Harry Gilby (Rupert), Tallulah Greive (Beatrix), Rosie Graham (Florence), Assa Kanouté (Abby), Georgina Sadler (Mabel) and Niky Wardley (Carol Watlington-Geese). 

New cast members for series two include BAFTA-winner Wunmi Mosaku (Loki) as Jaheim’s mum, Grace. Cara Theobold (Downtown Abbey) joins the cast as St Gilbert’s new writer in residence Jude, with Michael Salami (Supacell) as Femi’s Uncle Teju. Kendra Brown stars in her debut on-screen role as the new American exchange student, Devon’ye. 

Returning cast from series one also include Zheng Xi Yong (Xiang), Dillon Mitra (Dilton), Archie Fisher (Cheddar), Andrew Harmon-Gray (Graham), Ruxandra Porojnicu (Yelena), Kye Malcom (Caleb), Llewella Gideon (Sylvie), Mohammed Mansaray (Malachi), Niyi Akin (Koku), Maxim Ays (Felix), Al Foran (Stanley), William Andrews (Mackers) and Yuriri Naka (Ms Kaneko). 

Natalie Cassidy will play Sharon Hail, a teacher at a rival school, while Alan Cumming will play Alan, a man with very high standards for both the party he’s hosting and the St Gilbert’s students who find themselves there.

Daniel Lawrence Taylor, creator, writer and executive producer, says: “Bringing the new season of Boarders to life has been an incredible experience, especially with the exciting addition of new faces to the cast. Watching the actors effortlessly return to their roles, as if they had never left, has been an absolute joy. We hope you enjoy this second helping of the series as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it!”

Madeleine Sinclair, executive producer for Studio Lambert, says: “We’re so thrilled with our cast for series two of Boarders, both the wonderful returning characters and the exciting new faces – viewers are in for a real treat. Daniel’s scripts are once again as funny as they are thought-provoking and our talented cast come together to bring them to life perfectly.”

Boarders Series 2 begins Monday 3rd February on BBC Three and iPlayer.