Top Boy cast bios

9 August 2013

Ashley Walters (Dushane)
Ashley was a graduate of The Sylvia Young Theatre School, and already a teen actor in Grange Hill when he shot to fame as Asher D in So Solid Crew. His lead role in Bullet Boy won him Best Newcomer at the British Independent Film Awards. He also appeared in Get Rich or Die Tryin' alongside rapper 50 Cent and House of 9 alongside Dennis Hopper. TV credits include the long-running BBC series Hustle, 2009’s TV adaptation of Small Island, BBC 1’s Inside Men and True Love, BBC 2’s Family Tree with Chris O’Dowd and Dr Who. Ashley has just finished filming The Musketeers and Truckers for BBC.

Kane Robinson (Sully)
A promising youth footballer, Kane Robinson, 26, also made a name for himself as a rapper on the UK grime scene as Kano or Kane-O from East London’s N.A.S.T.Y. crew. In 2005, Kano was nominated for 4 MOBO Awards, winning the award for Best Newcomer, and nominated for a BRIT Award for Best Urban Act in January 2006. He was named as one of "London's Heroes of 2005" by then Mayor of London Ken Livingstone. Since then, Kane has begun to make a transition into acting. He appeared in Rollin’ with the Nines in 2006, a British film about a rap group who turned drug dealers, and in 2007 was in the short Point Blank. Top Boy was Kane’s first major acting role and he has just completed filming season two of the drama.

Lorraine Burroughs (Rhianna)

Since graduating from RADA Lorraine has showcased her talent across a variety of television, film and theatre projects. In 2010 she was nominated for an Olivier award for Best Actress for her role in The Mountain Top, and played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet at Shakespeare’s Globe. TV credits include Spooks, New Tricks and The Shadow Line. Lorraine was last seen on TV screens in ITV drama The Ice Cream Girls and on the big screen starring as Trix Warren in the British film Fast Girls alongside Noel Clarke and Lenora Crichlow.

Shone Romulus (Dris)
Shone Romulus grew up in Hackney and appeared in the first series of Top Boy via the street casting process. In the second series, Dris replaces Sully as Dushane’s right hand man, and is feeling the pressure of his new role. As well as keeping the gang in check, he has sole responsibility for his young daughter Erin – how will he manage, especially now the police are closing in?

Sharon Duncan-Brewster (Lisa)

Sharon has a wide range of TV credits, including an eight-month stint in EastEnders and the first four series of the ITV prison drama Bad Girls. She has also appeared in Dr. Who, Casualty and Waking the Dead.  She recently appeared in the British independent horror film Blooded and in the short A Blues for Nia. On stage she has featured in Tiger Country at the Hampstead Theatre and There is a War and The Swan at the National Theatre. She is currently performing in A Season in the Congo, directed by Joe Wright, at the Young Vic.

Paul Anderson (Mike)

Paul Anderson’s feature film credits include Nick Lowe’s The Firm, Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, The Sweeney and Brian De Palma’s Passion. On television he has appeared in Peter Kosminsky’s The Promise, as well as Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Ashes to Ashes and Doctor Who. He has recently completed filming on Peaky Blinders for the BBC, alongside Cillian Murphy and Sam Neill.  Theatre credits include Major Barbara and Market Boy at the National Theatre, and On Tour at the Royal Court.

David Hayman (Joe)
David Hayman is an acclaimed television and film actor, best known for his role as Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Walker in Lynda La Plante’s Trial and Retribution on ITV. Other TV credits include Henry IV Part I, Robin Hood and The Paradise. On the big screen he has appeared in The Jackal alongside Bruce Willis, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and 2012’s The Domino Effect. He is a regular contributor to BBC 2’s Review Show.

Xavien Russell (Michael)
Xavien has appeared in the BBC comedy Me and Mrs Jones, and the short film What If, produced as part of the Cultural Olympiad 2012. He featured in Plan B’s music video for Ill Manors. He featured in the Through the Ages ad campaign for John Lewis and has made multiple stage appearances at the Hackney Empire. Xavien continues his role in Top Boy as Michael, though in the second series he is moving up through the ranks, becoming one of Dushane’s most trusted crew members.

Malcolm Kamulete (Ra’Nell)

Malcolm’s first professional acting appearance was in the first series of Top Boy as Ra’Nell. In this series Ra'Nell is determined to keep his head down and practise every day for trials for the upcoming football youth squad. But when best friend Gem just can’t seem to stay out of trouble, Ra’Nell is drawn in with him.

Giacomo Mancini (Gem)

After being given his first taste of acting when he appeared as Gem in the first series of Top Boy, Giacomo has gone on to feature in the BBC TV series Ripper Street. He has also appeared in the short films Cocoons and Orthodox – Orthodox was turned into a feature film which he shot earlier this year. In the second series of Top Boy, luckless Gem has found himself on the bad side of local dealer Vincent, and as he sinks deeper into danger, he must turn to best friend Malcolm for help.

Ashley Thomas (Jermaine)

Ashley Thomas is a London based recording artist and actor, also known by his stage name Bashy. His first studio album, Catch Me If You Can, was released in 2009. As an actor, he has appeared in films including Shank, Cockneys vs. Zombies and My Brother the Devil. He played the lead role in the 2012 film The Man Inside. On television he appeared in C4’s Black Mirror. He was one of Screen International's Stars of Tomorrow 2012.