Supacell

Supacell is a British superhero television series, created by rapper and filmmaker Rapman, who also serves as showrunner, writer and lead director. The series streams on Netflix.

Premise
A group of seemingly ordinary black people from South London, unified by a family history of sickle cell disease, unexpectedly develop superpowers. They discover each other, and fend off entrapment by a secret organisation seeking to control them.

Cast

 * Tosin Cole as Michael Lasaki, a delivery driver, and a super with the ability to teleport and manipulate time.
 * Adelayo Adedayo as Dionne Ofori, Michael's fiancée. She is a social worker.
 * Eddie Marsan as Ray, a leading member of the organization hunting down the supers.
 * Nadine Mills as Sabrina Clarke, a young woman living with her sister, and a super with the ability of telekinesis.
 * Eric Kofi-Abrefa as Andre Simpson, a financially struggling father, and a super with the ability of super strength.
 * Calvin Demba as Rodney, a young drug dealer, and a super with the ability of super speed.
 * Josh Tedeku as Tayo "Tazer" Amusan, the leader of a small gang rivaling Krazy's and Krazy’s former protégé, and a super with the ability of invisibility.
 * Rayxia Ojo as Sharleen Clarke, Sabrina's sister
 * Giacomo Mancini as Spud, Rodney's friend
 * Michael Salami as Gabriel, Michael's friend
 * Travis Jay as John, Andre's friend
 * Ghetts as Craig "Krazy", the leader of an older gang rivaling Tazer's who is also Tazer’s former mentor, with the ability to absorb powers and is working for the organization hunting supers.
 * Digga D as Chucky, a member of the Sixers, a gang rivaling Tazer’s.
 * Robbie Gee as Mr. Johnson, the bereaved father of a missing girl whom Dionne attempts to track down.
 * Akai Coleman as Tiny, youngest member of the Tower boy gang.
 * Andy Thompson as Twosie, a notable member of the tower boy gang
 * Xavien Russell as Dotz, a member of the tower boy gang.
 * Mickira Oji as Skreamer, a member of the tower boy gang.
 * Sian Brooke as Victoria Kesh

Production
The series was announced as commissioned by Netflix in November 2021 with Mouktar Mohammed and Henrietta Lee of New Wave as executive producer and associate producer. Also executive producing are Anna Ferguson and Steve Searle of Netflix with Mark Hedges as series producer. It was reported that the production was using a specialised Arri 35 camera which has been designed to show Black skin in the best and most complimentary way.

Casting
In August 2022, Tosin Cole was announced in the lead role along with a cast that included Adelayo Adedayo, Nadine Mills, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Calvin Demba, Josh Tedeku, Rayxia Ojo and Giacomo Mancini. It was later revealed that Eddie Marsan had joined the cast as Ray.

Tosin Cole also starred along side Adelayo Adedayo over a decade ago in the movie Gone Too Far.

Filming
Filming took place between 4 July and 10 December 2022 in South and South East London. Filming locations included Thamesmead, Peckham, Bermondsey and Deptford. Filming had wrapped by April 2023. Sebastian Thiel also directs three episodes.

Broadcast
The series was broadcast on Netflix on 27 June 2024.

Reception
Leila Latif of The Guardian awarded the first episode four out of five stars, dubbing it 'an absolute riot, strikingly performed and bracingly plotted'. Aramide Tinubu of Variety praised the series' unique perspective on the genre with its characters and settings, remarking '“Supacell” considers how individualism has caused fractures in Western societies, specifically in Black communities that previously thrived because of collectivity. The show also reflects on why our dependence on technology undoubtedly comes at a cost.'