Grime Kids Cast Reveal: Who Stars in the Coming-of-Age Drama?
Meet the cast of BBC Three’s Grime Kids and read all about this exciting new drama
Grime Kids is a new BBC Three fictional drama series created by Theresa Ikoko, writer of the BAFTA-nominated coming-of-age film Rocks, and inspired by the non-fiction book of the same name by DJ Target.
The series is markedly different from the book and traces the lives of five fictional characters, growing up in the early 2000s, desperate to have their voices heard through music.
A love letter to east London, the series is set and filmed in Bow, celebrating the culture, community and creatives that gave birth to a then new genre: grime.
What can you expect from the series?
Set in 2001 at the start of summer, Grime Kids follows the five friends Dane, Junior, Kai, Bishop and Bayo, known as the “Gladiator Crew”. The lads navigate first loves, disapproving parents and brushes with danger - each coming of age in their own way, while setting out to have their music played on the airways.
Meet the cast of Grime Kids
Finding the perfect people to portray that world was an incredible part of the process, says series writer and executive producer Theresa Ikoko: “The casting process was one of my favourite parts of making this show. The first time seeing all five leads together was such a magical moment; we knew instantly that we had something special with them.”
Those young people will be portrayed by up-and-coming stars: Shanu Hazzan (EastEnders, The Gentleman), Juwon Adedokun (We Love Moses, Damilola, Our Loved Boy), Gabriel Robinson (Casualty, Silent Witness), Tienne Simon (Silent Witness) and Yus Jamal Crookes, who’s making his debut TV appearance.
Meet the characters
Dane is the ambitious dreamer and leader of the crew. He’s determined to turn his dreams into a reality and finds his first love Genevieve along the way.
Junior, Dane’s best friend, is the ‘dad’ of the group. During the series, he learns to confront his grief over the death of his mum head on and put aside old resentments and see the best in people.
Bayo is the baby of the group. As the story unfolds, Bayo learns to stick up for himself, his beliefs, and to trust his instincts.
Bishop, the quiet thinker, learns an important lesson in appreciating the relationships in his life over flashy things.
Finally, Kai, the wildcard, learns how to break through his bravado, embracing the honesty and vulnerability needed to form meaningful relationships.
Ultimately, the series is about music, friendship and figuring out what kind of man you want to be when the world still sees you as a kid.
A love letter to east London
Speaking about the setting of the series, creator Theresa Ikoko says "It’s a real privilege to showcase the communities of east London in my writing. I've had the pleasure of calling east London home for most of my life. I hope the love I have for this special part of the world shines through in this show."
The Rap Game UK mentor DJ Target is one of the show’s executive producers and says the series will allow viewers a glimpse into “how a young person at that time lived, got about and navigated to get to their dream”.
And Grime Kids is inseparable from the community it’s filmed, DJ Target explains: “It’s set in Bow, you're going to see all of the places that we grew up in, the likes of Roman Road, legendary places like Rhythm Division and Rinse FM being based in the tower blocks. It wouldn't have felt like this being based anywhere other than there.
“At that time, in that place, it was something magical,” he says of east London in grime’s early years.
Grime Kids has finished filming and will be available on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer later this year.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/8b8a02bf-b39d-4c34-a52e-76aedee94a74