From the brilliant creative mind of Writer/Producer and Director Rapman-MBE (Andrew Onwubolu), who came up with the concept for Supacell 5 years ago, comes a new alternative take on the superhero genre set in the streets of South London, with everyday working people gifted with superhuman and extraordinary powers, whose powers activate by their eyes glowing golden yellow, under extreme emotional states and confrontation connected to sickle cell. The only thing they all have in common is that they are all black and reside in South London, from different walks of life. Under the Netflix banner of original series, we are taken on a journey of these individual’s lives and everyday battles. In spite of the drama and turbulence going on, Rapman does a really good job with a talented young British cast to inject comedy in the midst of this chaos, action and drama. The five reluctant heroes are Michael, Tazer, Sabrina, Rodney and Andre. During the month of July, Supacell became the number 1 show globally on Netflix, and as I write this is still in the top ten shows with Netflix giants like Cobra Kai and Bridgerton. This is an amazing feat, considering we just had San Diego Comic-Con and Supacell is still making its mark worldwide amongst other giant franchises. Supacell has elements of TV series Heroes, Misfits and Attack The Block, but modernised through a new perspective of storytelling by Rapman. Supacell has been confirmed for season 2 officially from Netflix which is great news as we will get to further follow the adventures of Michael, Tazer, Rodney, Sabrina and Andre as they hone their newfound gifts in the Supacell universe.
During the Press tour Rapman spoke about the show’s origins and it’s connection to Sickle Cell, a disease which is particularly common to people predominately from the African and Caribbean community. (Read Below):
Rapman:
“I wanted a Super Power that came from something real, and sickle cell to me was something I never understood.” – The Breakfast Club
Rapman explained that he was using new technology to highlight black actors much better on screen, which has been a issue in film and TV. Using innovative technology in an interview with Metro.co.uk, Rapman added (below):
‘Makeup artists can only do so much’, so the camera technology is ‘game-changing.’
Supacell’s Director of Photography Aaron Reid went into more details with Metro.co.uk about the new technolgy (Read below):
‘Our camera on Supacell is the newest Arri camera on the Market, the Arri 35. Supacell was the first show in the UK to use this camera, which was quite incredible.’
‘We chose the Arri 35 because of how great it was at not over exposing highlights, this meant we could expose our camera to the majority Black cast’s skin tones and not have our highlights blown out.’
‘In terms of a look to complement Black skin tones, I set out to create a LUT [a colour grading system] with my colourist Joseph Bicknell. I think we were successful with this, and this set the tone to the look of our show.’
Michael (Tosin Cole) stars as a delivery driver from South London who’s engaged to his childhood sweetheart, a social worker named Dionne (Adelayo Adedayo) living a happy existence, but everything changes when his abilities start to manifest and he is teleported to the future. There he meets his future self, along with Tazer, Sabrina, Rodney, and Andre who have all mastered their powers and are battling mysterious super-powered foes in an abandoned Piccadilly Circus. He’s then told that his fiancée Dionne will die in a few months unless he can unite all five to face a bigger and greater threat than imagined, which is connected to his mother who suffers from sickle cell. He teleports back to the current timeline in shock and confusion, and he attempts to confide to his best friend and bar owner Gabriel (Michael Salami) who thinks Michael is having a breakdown until he showcases his abilities. They go on a mission to find Tazer, Sabrina, Andre and Rodney for a battle they may not be ready for and learn to become the leader they will all need him to be, as all individuals that possess supernatural abilities are being hunted.
POWERS & ABILITIES: Teleportation and Time Manipulation
Tazer (Josh Tedeku) plays a young teenage gang member and leader of the Tower Boys Gang. He is street smart, ruthless, adept at surviving the streets, and loyal which he equally demands in return. He struggles to trust people out of his circle of friends, and he lives with his elderly Nigerian grandmother who raised him ever since his mother disappeared. He also looks after his grandmother, showing a softer side that many don’t witness. His powers manifest when he is involved in fight with a rival gang. But things take a turn when his he has to face his old mentor and now arch nemesis, the evil, and calculated Gang Leader Krazy played by the charismatic UK music grime rapper Ghetts, who’s always flanked by his enforcer, the mysterious Energy Hunter (Sanchez Brown). Tazer will have to learn to trust Michael, Sabrina, Rodney and Andre if he is to survive the battles ahead.
POWERS & ABILITIES: Invisibility
Sabrina (Nadine Mills) is a very compassionate, equally fiery when provoked, talented nurse, who is always overlooked at her job. She lives with her younger sister Sharleen (Rayxia Ojo), whom she looks after and who she has always been there for since they were kids and vice versa. When Nadine finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she tracks him down. This in turn sets off a chain of events in which her powers manifest and changes the trajectory of her life onto a far greater purpose than she could of ever imagined.
POWERS & ABILITIES: Telekinesis
Rodney (Calvin Demba) is the the cheeky chappy loner and speedster. He is young man who’s always wheeling and dealing to make ends meet. When he develops the power of superhuman speed which also gives him the ability to heal at superhuman speed, he starts to make money selling weed and gaining popularity due to his speed from clients. But this begins to draw attention from Krazy’s gang, and he is also being pursued by these mysterious figures who are kidnapping the superpowered. When his best friend Spud (Giacomo Mancini) is brutally attacked, Rodney realises that his unique gifts will be needed for a higher purpose.
POWERS & ABILITIES: Superhuman Speed, and lightning manipulation
Andre (Eric Kofi Abrefa) Is the muscle of the crew. He is a Double Glazing salesman and former convict, who is trying to be the best father he can be to his teenage son AJ (Ky-Mani Carty) and appease his ex. But every time he thinks things are improving, he loses his job and more obstacles come his way. His friend and confidant John played by the hilarious comedian Travis Jay tries to keep his spirits up. When Andre gains superhuman strength, he sees a way out and a better life for his family, until he realizes his higher purpose and destiny to his community and humanity.
POWERS & ABILITIES: Superhuman Strength and Durability
Supacell is available to stream on Netflix
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