Boarders creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor: “TV has taken a step back, but a lot of us have pushed through and shown that we can tell our stories well”

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Originally, ‘Boarders’ was a passion project for Daniel Lawrence Taylor, created as a personal outlet. It’s now become a hit show, drawing in well-known guest actors and recently concluding with a deeply moving finale.

It’s true – the show Boarders has finished after three seasons. In today’s TV world, where even popular shows aren’t guaranteed another season, Boarders was a real highlight for BBC comedy. While fans will be sad to see it go, the final episodes perfectly capture that familiar time in all our lives when we finish school, say goodbye to friends, and look forward to the adventures of adulthood – often including university.

For Femi, Leah, Jaheim, Omar, and Toby, this season feels like a journey come full circle. We first met them as they began their time at the exclusive St. Gilbert’s boarding school, and now we’re watching them grapple with big life changes – relationships, exams, and what comes next. It’s a perfect ending to the series, as it marks the end of their time in boarding school altogether.

Was this storyline, spanning three seasons and ending with the characters going their own paths, the original intention for the show?

To be honest, I tend to focus on one TV series at a time. When I began the first series, it felt very personal – almost like I was just writing it for myself. It was helpful to ignore external expectations and create something that truly resonated with me. But I also realized, both consciously and subconsciously, that I was writing for others who shared my interests, too, Taylor explains.

Taylor realized the series was a success once he saw how much people enjoyed it. This positive response allowed him to move forward with a second season, focusing on how to develop the story further.

By the time we started season three, it felt like the right moment to end the show. I knew I wanted to give the characters a satisfying conclusion. As you watch, they might not end up exactly where you—or even they—expect, but I believe there’s a hopeful outcome for everyone.

A big shift this season is that Jaheim, often considered the leader and central figure of the show, doesn’t appear as frequently. Following the season two finale where he was offered a chance to study in the US, the beginning of season three focuses on Jaheim keeping his decision a secret from his friends.

This decision will probably cause a big reaction from fans at first, but I really liked it. Jaheim’s storylines were definitely a major source of drama in the first two seasons. However, shifting the focus away from him is a brave choice that lets the other main characters take center stage – and they truly deliver.

Without Tedeku as a character this season, the show’s writers had more freedom to explore the stories of the other main characters, according to Taylor. She explains that it allowed them to develop those storylines more fully. Because the first two seasons had established a strong base for each character, the third season could focus on showing them in new and unexpected situations.

The intense stress of those final school years is something many people tend to forget, but it was a hugely formative period for a lot of us. That pressure really heightened the excitement and tension surrounding Boarders’ last performance.

Taylor explains that they wanted to explore a romantic storyline for Femi, as it’s something we haven’t seen with his character before, and to do so while he’s dealing with family expectations. Leah, who was previously focused on challenging authority, now faces a different struggle – balancing her principles with the demands of her career and future goals. She’s had to temporarily put her activism on hold to focus on this new, larger challenge.

Many Londoners who’ve seen the show connect with ‘Boarders’ because it reminds them of going to university. Like the characters, they left London for smaller towns and often found themselves among a different group of people. It makes you wonder if the creator, Taylor, has ever considered continuing the story by following the characters into higher education?

Taylor chuckled when I asked him that, replying, “You know what? I actually hadn’t thought of that before, but you’re right – maybe I will!”

Even though ‘Boarders’ is made for younger viewers, it’s surprisingly connected with adults too. Creator Daniel Taylor thinks this is because the show explores powerful institutions – like healthcare and the police – which many people can relate to.

A common thread throughout my work is the issue of institutional racism, and I expect it will continue to be. People seem to really connect with that theme. What I’ve noticed is that while everyday racism is often very clear-cut, the more subtle and complex nature of racism within institutions really resonates with audiences – not just Black audiences, but everyone. It’s a much more nuanced issue.

Many of the challenges the characters face stem from people like Bernard. The fact that Bernard has a Black child adds another layer to the story, and I think that’s a big reason why the show has resonated with such a diverse audience. It allows viewers to see the underlying dynamics and complexities that are usually hidden from view.

Taylor finds racism a surprisingly funny subject, describing it as “so stupid” and therefore ripe for comedy. He explains that while racism is deeply embedded in society, it lacks any real foundation. He enjoys highlighting this absurdity in his work, particularly in ‘Boarders,’ but emphasizes that his goal isn’t to educate viewers. He simply presents life as he sees it, leaving it to the audience to draw their own conclusions.

Before speaking with Taylor, I reminded him of the hopeful statements he made after receiving the 2018 BAFTA Breakthrough award. Back then, he’d expressed pride in writing complex Black characters, something not often seen on TV, and his desire to create opportunities for Black actors. Knowing he’s also the creator and star of the show Timewasters, I was curious to hear if he thought television had become more inclusive since he made those comments.

It’s strange, because it felt like we were making progress. However, it now seems like we’ve actually gone backwards. When the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum and people started recognizing the challenges faced by Black individuals in Britain and globally, many organizations – including the TV industry – felt a mix of hope and shame. This prompted a lot of self-reflection, with everyone asking themselves, ‘What can we do to improve diversity?’

It feels like there was a strong initial effort, but now people seem to think it’s been addressed and aren’t prioritizing it as much. There’s also a lack of accountability, meaning people aren’t challenged if they don’t follow through, which has led to a general slowdown in progress.

Taylor notes the recent focus on diversity is concerning, as history shows it’s often difficult to gain attention for important issues. She points out it was tragic that the death of George Floyd in 2020 – and the resulting global outcry against racism – was what finally brought widespread awareness to the challenges faced by Black people. Taylor hopes that future progress won’t require another similarly devastating event to prompt action.

This represented a major effort to increase diversity across many sectors, particularly in television, where those in charge began to recognize that certain stories were being overlooked. While it was the most significant push for inclusion Taylor had seen in his career, he acknowledges that, even now, real progress remains elusive.

He acknowledges a sense of melancholy, but is also optimistic about the accomplishments of show creators – including himself. He points to creators like Adjani Salmon and Michaela Coel as examples of Black writers who are building opportunities for the next generation of Black talent, both in front of and behind the camera.

You know, it feels like the window for certain kinds of films is closing, but I’m actually pretty optimistic. I’ve seen enough filmmakers and storytellers break through and prove that we can still make these films – and make them well. It’s a little bittersweet, sure, but seeing that happen definitely gives me hope. It proves there’s an audience and a real ability to connect with them.

Taylor is partnering with Studio Lambert on a new agreement, building on their successful collaboration on the drama series Boarders, which was the first show from the production company to be renewed for multiple seasons. Though Studio Lambert is famous for hits like The Traitors and Gogglebox, this deal gives Taylor priority consideration for future projects with them.

Taylor isn’t able to share many details yet, but he emphasizes his strong working relationship with Studio Lambert, who previously allowed him creative freedom with ‘Boarders.’ He envisions his next project as continuing to center Black stories, but on a larger, more ambitious, and innovative scale, as he puts it with a smile.

Saying goodbye to ‘Boarders’ is tough, I told Taylor, especially since the show was so well-received and feels like it’s ending at its peak. Over its three seasons, the series attracted some fantastic actors, including Alan Cumming, Rufus Jones, and Wunmi Mosaku – Taylor even admitted he initially thought getting Mosaku on board was a long shot for his casting director.

The last episode of season 2 featured touching moments between Mosaku’s character, Grace, and her son, as they dealt with a difficult relationship. While filming, Mosaku discussed her work on a show called ‘Sinners,’ but no one realized then that she would later receive an Oscar nomination for her performance.

Finishing a TV series is always hectic, and it’s been a whirlwind for Taylor with little time to reflect on the fact that ‘Boarders’ is ending. The final scenes of season three perfectly capture that bittersweet feeling of leaving school – a feeling many of us can relate to. This is especially evident in a longer scene where the five main characters, along with Taylor (playing his character Gus), share a minibus ride back to London together.

Taylor wanted to leave viewers with a feeling of friendship and an understanding that life is always changing. He says watching the series makes him happy because it shows characters who initially felt like outsiders finding their place and making a home, even while still pushing boundaries. When asked about the overall message, he hoped viewers would take away that sense of journey and belonging.

I can clearly remember times in my life when I faced difficulties because of my race, social class, or other forms of prejudice. Despite those challenges, this place still feels like home. It’s where I want to raise my family and where my friends are, and even though it’s complicated, it truly is home.

I hope people watch and realize that even when life is hard, you can still find connection and a place where you truly belong. And that place doesn’t have to be flawless to feel like home.

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Boarders season 3 is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer along with seasons 1-2.

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Authors

Morgan CormackDrama Writer

Morgan Cormack writes about TV and streaming drama for TopMob. Before that, she was an Entertainment Writer at Stylist. She also has experience in content marketing and freelancing, and holds a BA degree in English Literature.

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2026-03-16 15:07