Boarders creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor talks ending his beloved comedy show: “I want to keep making work about the Black experience”

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A slightly uncomfortable moment happened during Sir Lenny Henry’s speech to the Royal Television Society in 2019. After enthusiastically praising Daniel Lawrence Taylor’s BAFTA-nominated show, Timewasters, he asked the ITV executives present if a third season was planned. The silence, filled with nervous throat-clearing, led Henry to discuss a pattern he’d noticed: shows with Black leads and writers often don’t get renewed beyond two seasons.

Fortunately, Taylor’s second show, Boarders, is a success – it’s been renewed for a third series on the BBC, seemingly breaking a pattern of short-lived projects. “It feels amazing,” says the writer and performer from her home in south London. Many Black creators have reached out to her about it, including Adjani Salmon, the creator of Dreaming Whilst Black, who recently told her he was impressed she’d achieved such longevity with the show.

Boarders, a new comedy-drama that premiered on BBC Three in 2024, follows five talented Black students who receive scholarships to an exclusive, predominantly white boarding school. The show is a heartwarming story about navigating different worlds, delivering a meaningful message with humor and charm.

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I wanted this work to reflect how a certain group of people sees the world, but also to capture the joy in life. Even though I had a tough upbringing, I always tried to stay positive and find humor in things. I truly believe that humor is a stronger tool than anger, and that’s always been my perspective.

The series originated from a news story about five Black boys who received scholarships to Rugby School. Creator Taylor, who has two young daughters with his wife Tess, felt a strong connection to the story. Although he didn’t attend boarding school, his own experience transitioning from south London to a mostly white, upper-class university (where he studied drama at Royal Holloway, Surrey) felt similarly isolating. He recalls feeling like an outsider and even changing the way he spoke after returning to London, an attempt to fit in and navigate a new environment.

Comedian Michael Taylor, known for his work with Ginger and Black, and appearances in shows like Uncle and The Inbetweeners, credits his mother with much of his success. She came to England from Jamaica as a child and raised five children on her own while working several jobs. She also sparked his passion for comedy.

When I was growing up, my siblings and I all slept in my mom’s bedroom. I’d sleep on the floor while my brothers and sister shared the bed, and we’d often watch old episodes of shows like Desmond’s, The Real McCoy, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I remember The Fresh Prince having these really positive Black role models – Uncle Phil was a lawyer and activist, and Aunt Viv taught classes about African-American culture. Even though it was a comedy, it felt important, and I think that’s really influenced my work ever since.

Seeing themselves reflected on screen is incredibly important, and the reaction to ‘Boarders,’ especially from young Black boys, has been fantastic. However, there’s still work to be done to increase diversity behind the scenes. As one of the few Black showrunners in the UK, I believe it’s vital to keep pushing forward so Black creators can share their unique and compelling stories.

The third and final season of Boarders follows Femi (Aruna Jalloh), Leah (Jodie Campbell), Jaheim (Josh Tedeku), Omar (Myles Kamwendo), and Toby (Sekou Diaby) as they complete their time at St. Gilbert’s. Creator Taylor explains the decision to end the show after three seasons was a creative one, allowing for a proper conclusion. “It’s rare for TV shows to get a satisfying ending these days, so I’m happy to be able to wrap things up and see these characters move forward,” Taylor says, adding that saying goodbye to the series is bittersweet.

After bidding farewell to the graduating class of 2026, Taylor is also focused on his own future. He’s signed a deal with Studio Lambert, the production company behind the hit show The Traitors. He jokes that they offered him a visit to the castle, which he took to mean he won’t be appearing on the show.

He says he plans to continue creating art that explores the Black experience and isn’t afraid to experiment. His next project will be more ambitious than anything he’s done before, and he’s looking forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Authors

Paul Kirkley

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2026-03-09 20:41