Fans And Critics Can't Stop Talking About Netflix's "Supacell" — Now I Understand Why
Rapman has done it again. The British rapper and director behind the excellent Blue Story teamed up with Netflix to launch his new series, Supacell.
The six-episode debut season delves into the lives of a group of Black Britons who discover that they have superpowers. None of them know each other, yet they are tied together through a family history of sickle cell.
It's like Misfits with a South London twist.
Each individual has unique super abilities, from teleportation to super speed, that they uncover at unexpected moments. But what they later discover is that they are being tracked and hunted by a secret organization that wants to control them.
But underneath the surface of being a sci-fi show about superheroes, Rapman addresses social issues that reflect the struggles he and others faced growing up in South London, partially inspired by George Floyd's death during the pandemic.
"I just wanted to do something that empowered Black people at the time, because we were just down in the dumps, man. We were already in lockdown, and the George Floyd thing, it just hit differently than all the others," Rapman told Buzzfeed's Seasoned Sessions. "So, I started off wanting something that empowered us. With sickle cell... I never understood something that only hurts Black people. So I said, 'how can I make this something that can switch it around?' Like, 'if I have to suffer as a parent with this illness, I'm ready to take it if my kid becomes extraordinary.'"
With a stellar cast that brings authenticity and grit to its characters, Supacell quickly became another Netflix hit. So much so that fans anticipate that Netflix will renew it for another season.
If you've yet to check it out, here are 15 reasons why you should tune in immediately.
1.It's a refreshing twist on the superhero genre, even though that wasn't entirely the intention.
DC and Marvel have had the superhero genre on lock, and while they have made efforts towards diversity, they haven't always reflected real-life circumstances. Supacell, however, focuses more on the people than their superpower abilities and the environments around them.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Rapman explained how he never initially described it as a superhero show. "Well the first thing, I didn’t call it a superhero show. That never was how I described it. It came out in the media like that, when it got announced, and people ran with it," he said. "I wasn’t aiming for a superhero show. This was a drama sci-fi, rather than a sci-fi drama. If there was no powers, you’d still be entertained. The powers is like a little caveat that is just there. We never focused on the powers as much as we focused on the people. And I think it’s more of a character-driven show."
2.With only six episodes, it's an easy watch from front to back. And trust me, you will get absorbed into the show.
But according to Rapman, he's already plotted out two more seasons. Considering this show is one of Netflix's most-watched, it would only make sense for it to return.
Rapman's latest series has earned comparisons to Heroes, Misfits, and even X-Men to a degree. However, he explained to The Hollywood Reporter that Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy slightly inspired the show's subsequent seasons. "Season two is a whole different world. And I tell people all the time, Season 1 of Supacell was the origin story. It was the prequel. It was my Batman Begins. Season 2, God willing we get it, is The Dark Knight. This is where you get to see what really happens."
3.Rapman is the showrunner.
'Nuff said. Rapman's track record can't be questioned, and Supacell certainly upholds his high standards.
4.With that said, the soundtrack for Supacell also brings authentic sounds from South London.
Ghetts, Rapman, and Digga D contribute to the soundtrack of the show while Sillkey handles the score. The show also boasts records from Giggs, Potter Payper, and Suspect OTB.
5.It's Top Boy meets Misfits.
This show will strike a chord if you like Top Boy and Misfits. Though it doesn't necessarily delve solely into the UK roads like the aforementioned Netflix series, the similarities bear in how they explore the lives of ordinary Black British folks. In fact, one of the actors actually appeared in Top Boy: Summerhouse. Xavien Russell, who played Michael in season 2 of Top Boy: Summerhouse, takes on the role of Dots.
Like Misfits, it also finds strangers' lives intertwining with one another, thanks to newly uncovered superpower abilities. Social commentary blends into the sci-fi elements effortlessly and provides depth to the characters and the plot itself.
6.Supacell features cameos from UK grime and drill's elite: Ghetts & Digga D.
Netflix
UK grime legend Ghetts and drill rapper Digga D take on the roles of Krazy and Chucky, respectively. It marked the latter's acting debut, and Rapman had nothing but praise for the Made In Pyrex MC. In an episode of the Winner's Talking Podcast, Rapman explained how plenty of influential artists from the UK music scene wanted to be a part of it, though many of them ultimately declined to audition. "His album just went number one. He's the talk of the country. Bro, he's come in that audition like, 'Yeah, Raps, happy to do it. Can I do it this way? Do you mind if I interpret it this way? Can I be more like myself?'" Raps recalled. "Bro, he was so cool and I'll never forget. He done the thing and he killed it, and I was just leaving, and he goes, 'Wait, I just want to say thank you for this opportunity.'" It sounds like we might see more from Digga D and Rapman in the future.
7.I really enjoyed the wild tension between Tazer and Krazy.
Though there are some heartfelt moments and romantic plotlines, there's no doubt that the rivalry between Tazer's (Josh Tedeku) and Krazy's (Ghetts) respective gangs bring a healthy dose of crime thriller vibes to Rapman's recipe for success. Tazer is the leader of an opposing gang yet was mentored by Krazy. When Krazy confronts Tazer over stolen drugs, things begin to escalate dramatically, especially once we find out who the former is working for.
8.Another notch in Tosin Cole's belt, the British actor crushes his role in Supacell.
Taking on the role of Michael, a delivery driver who inherits the powers of teleportation, Tosin Cole continues his incredible run in film and television. Earlier this year, the Doctor Who actor appeared in Bob Marley: One Love as Tyrone Downie. Michael leads the brigade of superheroes and brings everyone together.
9.Of course, we can't forget about Eric Kofi-Abrefa.
Kofi-Abrefa has made significant strides both in the U.S. and the U.K. While he previously joined forces with Rapman on Blue Story, his breakout role arrived when he starred as antagonist Lamar Silas in BMF. Lamar was undoubtedly easy to hate, but Kofi-Abrefa's role as Andre Simpson, a struggling father trying to do right by his son amid financial turmoil, is a lot more likable, even if he makes misguided decisions. Even then, his motivation is to ensure a better future for his son, AJ Simpson, played by Ky-Mani Carty, whom he shares great on-screen chemistry with.
10.The cast as a whole brings their characters to life. Rapman orchestrated an impeccable ensemble of predominantly Black actors who make this show such a gripping must watch.
From Nadine Mills portraying Sabrina Clarke to Calvin Demba bringing humor to Rodney's character, the entire cast truly showed out in this show. Adedayo (Dionne Ofori), Josh Tedeku (Tazer), Eric Kofi-Abrefa (Andre Simpson), and Tosin Cole (Michael Lasaki) join Mills and Demba in rounding out the main cast. Additionally, Eddie Marsan (Deadpool 2, Gangs Of New York, V For Vendetta) stars as the villain, with Robbie Gee, Rayxia Ojo, and Siân Brooke appearing in the series, as well.
11.It's an authentic take on South London with broad perspectives from each character.
From Sabrina, a young nurse who faces relationship issues while trying to come to terms with her newfound abilities, to Michael's fiancée Dionne Ofori, a social worker who becomes entangled in trying to track down the secret agency.
The show brings a genuine feel of the South London community that truly encompasses Rapman's vision for a drama sci-fi vs. a sci-fi drama. From the duality of Tazer, who balances the streets and caring for his ill grandma, to Rodney's adventures as a low-level drug dealer and Michael and Andre Simpson's attempt to lead regular lives, this show focuses heavily on the ups and downs of South London's Black working-class community.
"We do call [South London], like, the seventh character," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "Yeah, you could put Supacell somewhere else. No doubt. We could do Season 2 in the States, because sickle cell is everywhere. But the south London energy is unmatched. I’ve had people from the States say they want to come to South London. They want to come party in South London now. And that’s the South London that I remember, that energy you see in Supacell."
12.At the show's core is family and camaraderie. Each of the characters is intertwined through a shared family history of sickle cell.
And after activating the supercell, it's imperative that they work together to avoid the threats of Health & Unity. Beyond that, the show delves into their personal relationships, whether it's Michael and Dionne's relationship troubles amid discovering his superpowers or Rodney's somewhat strained relationship with his mother, each character faces turmoils in their personal lives that motivate them in their battle against Health & Unity. Sure, the plot will have you at the edge of your seat, but there's a good dose of heartfelt moments that cut through the tension at the right times, even if it's just for a moment.
13.The show's best quality is how it subtly weaves social commentary that impacts the Black community in the UK through the protagonists' lens.
Whether it's the microaggressions that Sabrina faces as a nurse or Andre Simpson's efforts to protect his son from negative influences, Supacell nails the social commentary.
14.Most importantly, it sheds light on sickle cell and spins it in a positive light.
Rapman explained how it was a critical aspect of the show. As explained in the season finale (SPOILER!!!), supacell is actually a mutation of sickle cell. Those who inherit supacell have at least one parent who had sickle cell.
There's a general lack of awareness surrounding sickle cell, Rapman explained during his appearance on Seasoned Sessions. "Living with sickle cell is hard, but if it means your child becomes super, that’s a win," he said. "So, I was wanting something to boost people up, and the biggest thing was to raise awareness. Even when I was doing it, a lot of people on the show had never heard of it before, so that was crazy to me. So, I was like, you know what, this is going to start the conversation again with people."
In that same episode, he said that Netflix loved that idea, too. "I made the title years ago, and that was one thing that never got pushed back. Netflix loved it from the jump. They just loved the whole sickle cell, supercell comparison, and it just stuck forever," he said.
15. If you're still not convinced, maybe Skepta will convince you.
Supacell is amazing. I’m watching the season a 2nd time to catch the nuances and references I missed and I’m still amazed. Rapman is one of them for sure ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
— Big Smoke - (@Skepta) July 11, 2024
@Skepta / Via Twitter: @Skepta
The UK grime legend is a man of taste, as we've seen throughout his efforts in music, fashion, art, and more. So, his applause for Supacell shouldn't be taken lightly. "Supacell is amazing. I’m watching the season a 2nd time to catch the nuances and references I missed and I’m still amazed. Rapman is one of them for sure," he wrote.
16.Have you seen Supacell? What did you think about it? Let me know in the comment section below.