BOARDERS: FIRST LOOK IMAGES AND CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR THIRD AND FINAL SERIES OF BBC THREE COMEDY-DRAMA

The BBC has released first-look pictures for the return of the hit comedy-drama Boarders, which will arrive for its third and final term next month on BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC Three.

Created and written by the BAFTA-nominated Daniel Lawrence Taylor, who co-stars in the series as Gus, Boarders is produced by Studio Lambert for the BBC, in association with All3Media International.

The new picture show Aruna Jalloh (Femi), Jodie Campbell (Leah), Josh Tedeku (Jaheim), Myles Kamwendo (Omar) and Sekou Diaby (Toby) as they return to St Gilbert’s for series three.

The final series will introduce a host of new characters to St Gilbert’s. Announced today, new cast members include: Rufus Jones (Rivals) as George Tramley, Cheddar’s MP father; Patrick Baladi (Breeders) who joins as Carol’s ex, Alfie Watlington-Geese; Comedian Fatiha El-Ghorri (Taskmaster) appears as Mrs El-Fassi, a formidable rival headmistress; Kenyah Sandy (Small Axe, Highway to the Moon) stars as Benjamin, Leah’s new love interest.

Daisy Jacob (Tell Me Everything) plays Pixie, a new girl who quickly catches Femi’s attention; Louis Thresher (Coven Academy) appears as Jonny, Omar’s new friend who wants to be more than just friends, and Nagaieh Dad joins as Yusef, an unpredictable agent of chaos who pulls Abby into his orbit.

Returning cast from series two also include Niky Wardley (Carol), Assa Kanouté (Abby), Tallulah Greive (Beatrix), Rosie Graham (Florence), Georgina Sadler (Mabel), Zheng Xi Yong (Xiang), Archie Fisher (Cheddar), Andrew Harmon-Gray (Graham), Ruxandra Porojnicu (Yelena), Maxim Ays (Felix), Kendra Brown (Devonyé), Al Foran (Stanley), William Andrews (Mackers) and Yuriri Naka (Ms Kaneko).

Boarders follows five talented black inner-city teens transported to an alien world – an elite British boarding school – after gaining scholarships to the prestigious St. Gilbert’s.

Now they’ve made it to the final term, exams are looming and the pressure is on. They’ve set their sights on big futures - but new dramas are erupting everywhere. A shocking school rivalry brings violence, love triangles and shattered friendships. Can the scholarship kids conquer the madness to come out on top? 

Writer, creator and executive producer Daniel Lawrence Taylor, says: “I can’t wait for audiences to dive into our third and final season of Boarders. This final chapter delivers all the fun, funnies and messiness that fans have come to adore. I’m incredibly grateful for the love and support the show has received - it’s truly been a labour of love. Here's to one last ride!”

Studio Lambert Creative Director, Scripted Madeleine Sinclair says: “We’ve been so lucky with our hugely talented cast on Boarders, from our brilliant returning characters to the exciting new faces joining for series three. This final term at St Gilbert’s goes out with a bang, as Daniel’s scripts take us on a wild journey of ambition, rivalry and mayhem. We’ve pulled out all the stops to give Boarders the send-off that this special show, and its wonderful fans, deserve”. 

The third series promises a bold, funny and emotionally charged conclusion, to bring the story of Boarders to a fitting and unforgettable close.