Ashley Walters Reveals What Happened Behind The Scenes of Top Boy

[@Ghost-of-a-man]

This answers a few questions regarding the final series that I think the long term fans wanted answering. Explains why the series felt a little off and the reasons why. But it also shows how hard Ashley and Kano fought to make it show as authentic as possible for the fans. Both top men who give their all to what they do.

[@Jimalo6071]

🎉 18:53 🎉

[@Jimalo6071]

😊😊

[@therealist2000]

Authentic? lol

[@YouCantSayThat]

@@therealist2000i was bout to say if two men from ends tries to be the main plug and go against Albanians, Irish gangs etc they would be dead in under 24hrs 😅🤣

[@Tomc12345]

Dushane was always a serious thinker all the way through and last series becomes a frantic thoughtless madman

[@Baman21]

He was having anxiety attacks and trying to balance two worlds I think the stress just made him crack.

[@LeeRock5]

I remember meeting Ashley as a kid on the drama school circuit and he told me, "I'm going to be famous one day." and he wasn't wrong. I'm so proud of the man and Actor he has become. Love and light!

[@tasbhu764]

ashley went to drama school?? aren't they expensive or are they free in the uk

[@vish6659]

They are free

[@EeEe-yz8nx]

Shut up man

[@Rebel-IV]

So So Solid

[@marc7983]

@@tasbhu764 bender

[@jeremycunningham7897]

Top Boy British drama at its best - well done everybody involved! Thank u

[@julieuk5855]

I hope everyone seeing this interview, has seen the Portrait of a Top Boy exhibition at Somerset House. The portraits were acquired by the National Portrait Gallery. Congrats to all of the artists!

[@stuboy13]

I haven't. What is it?

[@PoopFrogg1]

Channel 4 KICKING itself right now 😂😂😂

[@73tydy]

The writer's definitely went off script when allowing Dushane to leave his money in the hands of people he really didn't know! Then allowing the woman to go home and saying he's coming back tomorrow 🤣🤣🤣🤣 really!

[@Akboxing44]

Would never happen in the hood ever😂

[@Kevinjj1991]

Satirical to Dushane's character

[@Marlontje.]

What episode was this again ?

[@donttalkwet1]

Yeh like he'd just leave and let lyfe get away and the other woman the Irish one. Dumb script. All the other series were great

[@bungle3912]

@@Akboxing44Rubbish. You have to do that. I knew a guy who had a designer clothes shop who sold kilos of cocaine and he had too much money to push through that shop, so he had to trust people with his money. When you’ve got A LOT of drug money, unless you know people to wash it, you have to trust new people.

[@JoJo-ui3wu]

I’m so so very proud of the talented top boy cast who brought such a great story to life - to feel like real life in London! It’s a whole vibe. Class A actors. Don’t sleep on them 💯!

[@orinorio1]

Kano and Ashely along with the rest simple just played themselves.

[@michaelduda787]

​@orinorio1 I'm not sure what you are saying here . If they are playing themselves are you saying they are all drug dealers who would kill for money. Or just that they understand the way people are in that game in East London?

[@orinorio1]

All Great actors become bring a part of them into the character. The cast all understood the gang cutler in London. Ashley Walters did jail time when he was younger. the cast all crew up in London so they would have had to acted how they do in Top Boy at some point of their lives. @@michaelduda787

[@skillsmachine9164]

Only came across topboy because some scenes popped up in my KZbin feed. Went back from the start with summerhouse and rolled straight into s3 and 4 binge style. Was bloody great! From an aussie

[@nebexdoesnt8336]

This guy will go all the way to Hollywood and crush it, his vibe & talent makes him one of the best British actors. Now he does not have the contract restrictions, cant wait to see what he does.

[@Toronto_James]

Top Boy has to be one of the best tv shows ever. Fantastic from the first episode to the last. Brilliant stories & acting.

[@seven-tq7jr]

huge stretch my boy. topboy was mid at most

[@lindaleTH]

Not a fan of that genre at all. Some episodes were well written I give it that. However, its time to see other parts of our culture. It was more depressing rather than uplifting in any way

[@gudduwonka5586]

all due respect but if you compare top boy to shows like breaking bad and the sopranos its a mid show

[@MayorSom]

@@lindaleTH How do people even get through such a depression inducing contents? Not watched a single ep. Love Ashley and Kano though!

[@dylanmulroe9978]

@@seven-tq7jrnah the first 4 seasons were top quality, that last season was dead though

[@raidor09]

Legendary series shame how it ended but it doesn’t take away how good it was!

[@hisdness1]

Wow, Ashley Walters is so intelligent. Very pleasant to listen to.

[@frozengamer3030]

They were all excellent in this show.

[@CN-kf1me]

The actors in top boy really done amazing very moving performances by all the cast

[@shaquilleburton1611]

Me personally I liked the last season I thought it would of had a couple more episodes but I still enjoyed it I enjoyed the whole show every season.

[@tashblatcher2846]

He’s so perfect for the role I swear to god

[@sherileenlambert2784]

I really enjoyed listening/ watching this episode. It was a very real, down to earth and inspiring interview.

[@shashaworld4283]

Totally agree.

[@moneymayweather123]

They never should of killed off Jamie.. and what they did to Ashley’s character was a big let down.

[@memibrowne1945]

Realistic though sometimes the people that live that type of live die senseless death I liked that it wasn't polished or grand

[@obed7272]

Killing Jamie off wasnt the wrong it was just what they did with it in the last season

[@PullThatUpJamie]

Jamie tried to kill Sully and then tried to snake them again

[@jwabella]

I understood why Sully off’d Jamie. The character dev for Dushane Sully & Jacque in the final season was a bit disappointing though

[@ladysimsim1]

Jamie needed to be killed off because realistically that is the nature of street life. Its a dangerous game

[@tehf00n]

Really liked this show. Was hoping for another season.

[@PullThatUpJamie]

The summerhouse seasons were so real

[@Annointedxx]

Love the awareness Top Boy brought. Love all the actors 💯

[@mintyscampingadventures]

Hats off to everyone involved in topboy they all did a out standing performance and showed alot of what ppl don't see what goes on. On a council estate. Ashley is very grounded and so is kane big respect to where they came from to what they have achieved hope there is a another series cos are they both dead or is it open big respect to all ❤❤️

[@raffspromos8055]

Feel bad for Ashley and Kano you could tell Ashley had his concerns about the final season in this interview and it clearly didn’t end the way he wanted too

[@albertroan24]

And for alot of other people too. Watching it you could tell that their were aspects suddenly thrown in that didn't fit just yet.

[@activistbook3809]

True But it was epic Summer House edits and vibes No flash glorification Felt the most realistic of the 3 seasons

[@skillsmachine9164]

​@@activistbook3809nah...thought it was the worst. Dushane not cleaning up a crime scene, jaq returning the bag to sully when she knew she was dead...none of it made sense.

[@ianmiles4447]

​@skillsmachine9164 agreed Jaq taking the bags in the first place didn't make sense.

[@activistbook3809]

@@skillsmachine9164 he didn't clean up the crime scene because it wasn't planned He was desperate and irrational Makes perfect sense to me. Same with Jaq losing her sister - acting out of character. Her returning the bag and facing consequences is totally logical. This season was way more realistic than Season 1 or 2

[@OldManSteveandMe]

Ground breaking show ❤

[@DAVIDRAINWATER]

Great show! Really special y'all

[@PHlophe]

Shalom, Bruder David, its hands down the best show of the summer despite its little shortcomings.

[@RileyFreemanJP]

Man this guy is an elite actor I want to see him in bigger things too

[@Msburke.78]

We want more TOPBOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!❤

[@Newman10steps]

Salute to Ashley🙏🏾I know a lot of people love Sully and Jamie, rightfully so, but his characters journey and his acting might’ve resonated with me the most.

[@g-harly4560]

Dope segment 🔥🔥😤

[@Dilanalikurt]

What a journey sad it’s over

[@ShareReachCommunity]

I’m glad you brought this guy in this interview, never expected.

[@aanchaallllllll]

0:12: 📺 The actor reflects on the journey of the show and how it changed his life. 4:23: ! The speaker was initially hesitant to take on roles that portrayed black boys from inner city London as drug dealers or criminals, but the script for this particular project stood out to them and they knew they had to do it. 7:56: 🎥 The plots, storylines, and characters in the show are deep and engaging, with an emphasis on mental health and other important issues. 12:27: 😢 The actor expresses mixed emotions about the final season of the show, feeling bittersweet about the end but also sad about losing connections with the cast and crew. 16:22: 🎨 The artist reflects on the positive impact of focusing on their art and pushing for their vision in the final season of the show. Recap by Tammy AI

[@raven4545]

Thanks for this appreciate the effort putting time stamps

[@brianchimombo9417]

thank you

[@SutekhDaSteemroller]

Im a New Yorker and know little about London and I know some things got Americanized (like more gun play) but I still enjoyed the whole series Summer house and Netflix seasons , immensely. And Ashley and Kano are outstanding actors. Salute

[@shaheemshakur6719]

Don't get it twisted London has a alot of gun play!

[@Claireradusha99]

We have more guns than you think

[@mjkrbjcw]

There’s as much gunplay in the big cities it’s just the general public that don’t carry guns openly

[@briton3851]

plenty of shotguns and rifles where i live🤣

[@shaheemshakur6719]

@@briton3851 lol you must live in Essex or Kent smh

[@elhar5966]

One of my fav shows 💯

[@kurterfmann5594]

ash and kano defo need another show together down the line.. maybe completely different on the other end of the lane like bulletproof

[@michaelduda787]

Why would be want another bulletproof. Its been done

[@PeakyParker91]

Loved Ash as an actor since i saw Bullet Boy, massive talent

[@stewartlawrence3042]

I'd love to see Kane and Ashley team up again - maybe in a creative capacity for some kind of spin off - or something along those lines. Was a tremendous series and they should both be proud of what they contributed.

[@shayolola]

A great actor 🎉

[@shayolola]

@madmick9737 highly disagree. If you have nothing positive to say, keep it to yourself 😃

[@jonesconrad1]

I agree with you he's a great actor. But we are all entitled to our own opinions and to express them.

[@MillennialRabbi]

My favorite show

[@jphommahaxay5023]

I hope 50 brings him into the power universe 🙏

[@chaneladdict7246]

That will be sooo cool

[@patricestyveschef]

Happy to hear that You Ashley you have moved on from this space. my take on this : Performers may find themselves wrestling with feelings of sadness, anger, or fear long after the cameras stop rolling. In some cases, the line between an actor and their character can blur, leading to identity confusion and psychological strain.

[@rankobarensic]

Zo mooie serie...seizoen 3 uitgekeken in a heartbeat❤ COYI⚒️⚒️

[@kylereece1979]

Love that the lads put everything into making the final season as good as they could. But theres some insight here too about why the season itself just feels a bit rushed. It really felt like another 4 episodes could have been added to everything. The Irish angle was gone before it really had potential to be a main feature of the series, and a lot of the season in general just felt too rushed, as though scenes, episodes worth of plot and character development was omitted. I liked the season a lot overall, but something did fell off, rushed.

[@mrdubplate9601]

Agreed, 6 episodes wasn't nearly enough for the storyline and subject matter.

[@briton3851]

horrible writing init, irish angle couldve been massive, turned it off after jonny died couldnt watch them waste such a good character

[@CraigWrightStraygoat]

Agreed, that's how I felt. Also was hoping the undercover police operation from previous series would come into it. Enjoyed it still, but 4 more episodes would have let it breathe.

[@deschanelgordon7564]

​@@briton3851xx

[@shynnobi]

Agreed, I couldn’t believe I was watching the final episode during the 6th, I was expecting 8/10 eps 😟

[@nomsantuli6023]

Legendary guy

[@simoncarydice7676]

They have become big stars now every top actor has such moments Big Screen next you guys can really act it felt real

[@Mr79Shahin]

It’s sad that the legacy of this amazing series was tarnished by this final season. Dushane’s decisions were completely out of character from the calculated, smart, even ruthless guy we came to know. Sully’s character development from the previous 2 seasons post-Summerhouse was washed away. Jaq deciding to steal from Sully was a ridiculous plot device, especially since she had already done them wrong by aiding Lauren’s getaway previously. The whole Rwanda thing felt contrived. The only redeeming aspect were the deaths of the Dushane and Sully - both done well and rightly without any fanfare

[@danielmcdonald9917]

There characters are forced to change though as the seasons go on , because in the original summerhouse sully was a nutcase and didn’t think mature about his actions, as they get on in the series he has to mature they all do as they have to control the youngens coming up.

[@JustSendMeLocation]

The final season was shit tbh, they focused too much on Jaq and Keiron

[@joslo5514]

It’s Entertaiment innit

[@gazbo81]

I agree mate. There's no way dushane would've just lost his rag n killed geoff without planning and jaq wouldn't have robbed sully no way

[@jamieboi11]

The season wasnt great, but not because of what you mentioned, the characters different traits were fitting actually. Dushane going from top boy to the fear of having nothing made him act like that. Jaq the same, she didnt steal from Sully to start beef with him, she had always turned a blind eye to what the drugs were doing in her community until it affected her, then she snapped, she wanted to get rid of the drugs, not profit from them. The season was a mess because they introduced new characters to kill them off, the undercover cop story just disappeared, Dushane getting scammed the way he did just wouldnt work, they killed off Jamie for shock value and then had no idea where to go, awful decisions.

[@TheDiaryOfACEOClips]

WATCH THE FULL EPISODE HERE NOW: kzbin.info/www/bejne/anSakoqHZcaGi5o

[@glynburchell6716]

Best show ever bar none

[@chaneladdict7246]

I love him he’s a great actor

[@rawlings1979]

I rate ash as an actor he is so dedicated, ive been on many sets and seen lots of actors but he stood out for me , so many times he would be telling the director no scrap that i can do it much better and he knows cause he's grown up doing it , nice guy

[@azizcook1651]

I understand why Ash feels the way he does about the how the final season ended, but here's another perspective. Another recurring but subtle theme in top boy is the absence and moving on of certain characters like Ranell and Gem. They wanted it to be as real as possible, and in real life some people leave the hood and never come back. Whoever is left that remembers them eventually fades into obscurity as well. With the amount of characters not returning and the dwindling down of the ones we came to love it really didn't need to be dragged out. Last but not least, that first murder Dushane and Sully ever committed against Sean came back full circle for both of them in the end.

[@AS-xk2gj]

Their compensation for rushing the last season needs to be them making a movie for us😫😫😫😫

[@Kikyo.]

Need the Kane interview

[@MrNiceHk]

The last season was empty but the first 4 are straight up Masterpieces up there with the Sopranos

[@TeekayPlayz]

I think people don’t realise that they could easily do spin off series if they want but the main show needed to finish.

[@sarahsshoe]

They did Dushane dirty disappointed with his ending of TopBoy.

[@jakehope6811]

Crazy the work he put in to play crackhead Craig gizzzz a pound😂 and Dushane and Kano worked hard for top boy man 🤝

[@Weare30186]

This will always be number two behind The Wire…Really good series!

[@seanjohnbig2664]

Subscribed to this channel

[@Jack0503]

it makes no sense how they had so much creative freedom in every other season. And then the final and probably the most important they didnt really get what they want. Yet they had the same writer in Ronan Bennett who did great as Ashley has said before in writitng a really realistic script and taking storys from people in that life and area and using that to help with making it as authentic as possible. And then the last season not being as good as the rest.

[@d-cype8129]

Coz when they made jaq a top shotter they couldn't make it real.... they wanted to push an agenda

[@1jackroo]

Bullet Proof was great too though.. and not a bad boy role 👍

[@bettybobbitt]

The last series felt rushed. They could have had the Liverpool mob out for revenge or Rynell coming back, could have been deeper, but overall, 12 years of amazing show.

[@luke-ti3fu]

I could see what they were attempting to achieve with the ending but it was just executed poorly. They failed to really pull out the terror of the environment in the final few episodes and had far too much going on. Just wasn't believable. This kind of clears it up as to why that might of been the case. Class series none the less.

[@jaycostewart8]

A bullet boy 2 would be good though can't lie. Nuff new actors out here now so in my humble opinion, a second one from the little brothers point of view would be blessed. Big up yourself Ash, for giving us these specials..💯👏🏾👏🏾

[@jcboys7581]

We can definitely tell that y’all didn’t have the ability to be as hands on as you wanted so many head scratching moments this season such a shame

[@CN-kf1me]

Never ever sign away your right to have final say on your project

[@iskuly]

They must be pissed the negative reviews on the last season. Can you imagine if they didn't offer any resistance at all it would of probably been awful

[@mekemeke8497]

Top Boy, Ozark, and Breaking Bad are my top 3.

[@devondetroit2529]

That sugarhouse film he did was classic too

[@advancepainters]

Man did good 😮

[@SteCollects]

Last season was such a waste, writers ruined it man. S3 was elite. Loved all the actors work though

[@andrewharris9105]

Really wanted to like the final season but it just lacked any coherence. The Irish- oh good, over by episode 3. Dushane losing all coolness which was so unrealistic. Sully just becoming a monster - what happened to his Polish burd? The undercover cops- where are they? Sexy Lizzie just gone. Only decent story was Jax. Poor final season and was clear it just ran out of steam. Also very telling Kano has done NO publicity around this season.

[@mrchickenwing121]

I was thinking about the undercovers too but I think Dushane knew about them from when he was sat in the courtroom last season & I’ll have to re watch it but I swear they’re sat in the car watching when Shelly’s friend goes to Dushane’s house to pick up the passport & money

[@memibrowne1945]

The loss of 16 million yeah he lost it

[@alanhansen3230]

The woman wasn't Polish, she was French.

[@BatulleyaaRose]

everyone’s mad they killed off everyone but people need to also remember that the show killed off pretty much everyone because the point was to show the generation what happens when you get involved in the streets. it was to teach people a lesson not to have a good ending

[@reidgrant7036]

I was saying the other day, with all the people Sully upset, it's unrealistic he made that long

[@abccinema1]

I love the show but that last season just didn't land for me, now I sorta understand why...

[@paulcurtis5317]

Ive only just watched it (binged it all). Series 1 2 is some of the best telly ive ever seen, the acting is astounding from everyone. The netflix ones were good, acting brilliant and that. I thought the best of the netflix was the uk bits and could have done without the abroad stuff (just my opinion, the jamaica sfuff was ok)) but overall it was prety bloody excellent

[@BlaqueCute29]

The Jamaica parts were good, the Spain and Morocco we could have done without.

[@Jlangdon92]

Top Boy wouldn’t be the same without sully and dushane!

[@Kingtrollface259]

What now though? Top boy America? Brum,Manchester,Liverpool ? -the show has so much scope to keep going with fresh characters in a different city or even country

[@sirob9532]

Lets not forget this guy has acted with 50 cent

[@dsi1998]

Dushane definitely gave “ghost” vibes giving that he always played chess in order to win. The divisions made in the final season definitely were shocking

[@shamram6200]

TB; Educational.😊 Survival of the fittest and the maddest.

[@AdeleKakwandi]

*Spoilers* 🚨🚨🚨 Dushane's ending was brutal and poignant. He lost millions, the woman he love, and ended up stealing from his friend. He died like a complete goof crying and bleeding behind a gate after being shot by his friend. Brutal but brilliant end.

[@Piranha-10]

yes, I completely understand you, but I was really very angry and I will explain why. the subject millions you are talking about that he lost because of lizzy waae, that subject remained in the series. it disappeared in one fell swoop after he was told you have to flee. You haven't heard anything more about Lizzy and that whole subject, which I thought was a shame. I would have liked to see Lizzy get caught by that secret detective, but that's my opinion. otherwise one of the best series ever

[@davidchristopherphotograph8972]

exactly it was a great ending with a lot of meaning

[@jayasmiah6617]

Was sad ending Dushane

[@RedlineRacers]

i think they just had to find a way to end the series because in reality aint no way afterhe killed jeffrey he would leave that mess like that. they showed him cleaning like a kitchen counter but not where he slide his face n beat his ass with that pan. and leaving the pan... like cmon n didnt he have a vest on at the end so how come when he got shot he just bled out.

[@AdeleKakwandi]

@@RedlineRacers Yeah it was not rushed ngl but I think it pointed at the unpredictability in life. Yes Dushane was usually smart and careful but losing £15 million put him over the edge and made him sloppy and careless. It happens, even the big dons like El Chapo slipped up and are in cells. Lastly I don't think he was wearing the vest at the end the only time he had a vest was when he and Sully moved on the Irish.

[@Professional_Youtube_Commenter]

they came to my block and did at least 6 or 7 days of filming, i watched the whole series to look for glimpses. but it was over in 10 seconds of viewing. pretty disapointed. possibly used some of the properties inside. but there is just 1 scene of sully and dushane driving through the road. and a nother scene of dushane running out of the house from police. that was it.

[@Takeru9292]

Cool did you meet the actors?

[@Professional_Youtube_Commenter]

@@Takeru9292 no fuck them. I changed my wifi to topboy is shit. So they can see. All the yutes loitering around in the area, their film crew taking all the bays. Showing up unannounced in random days to film. Good riddance.

[@scottbellman980]

Best gritty drama of all time

[@XORTION]

I’ve been watching the latest top boy seasons instead of the first top boy summer house seasons grrrr

[@Hakspheenom]

And Channel 4's Summerhouse were only 4 episodes a piece but superior. Yeah Jamie was a good addition to the Netflix era, but Season 3 was simply rushed, should have been atleast 8-10 episodes for a finale... Did ceo forget The Wire.. 😉 another masterpiece..

[@Tan-ns2hr]

Clearly the budget wasn't there for more episodes/higher quality episodes eurgh, they shouldn't have put a last season out if producers weren't gonna go harder. Previous series' were even filmed in spain, jamaica etc cmon now

[@LukeBowes]

The budget was there the producers just ruined it the show was run by Netflix and Drake ffs course the budget was there

[@AC-mr7om]

Top Boy = Another nail in the coffin of the Cockney/ London accent. RIP London town 🙏🏻💔

[@Remstamusic]

That crackhead roll was for anuvahood loool

[@5thdawg917]

I wouldn't call it first of its kind in London. I think Kidulthood started the London urban drama of what goes on.

[@heartleysamson4228]

They need to do more things together

[@dead-but-laughing3464]

I always throught Ashley didn't want to do it no more but after I watched this, the decision to leave at season 3 don't think was his choice, there could of been 10 plus seasons to this and it could of ran for years and years shame it come to a end and season 3 I'm sorry was not on par with the other seemed rushed and you can tell the script was changed him production. Big up top boy

[@Wm8882wdm]

It’s been on 12 years and 5 seasons

[@dondrevlogs6573]

U could tell that they didn’t get the full support they needed in this last season so much was wrong in my opinion

[@JL-us4bh]

Last season turned into Eastenders

[@junk_rig_sailor1698]

I half expected Sully to come in with a gun in tow asking Dushane why he talkin' to thie podcaster...

[@kayemm5331]

😂

[@Goddess-Reign]

😂😂

[@Joe-rr8ls]

Don’t think Ashley and kano were happy with Sully killing Dushane

[@saeedalg4360]

He was but didn't want it to happen the way it want

[@iskuly]

It's mad last season they didn't even get that much screen time together Dushane and Sully

[@aaronkonasik4709]

Completely let their characters down with how they went out!! They deserved so much more both smashed it they’ll always be Dushane and Sully not asha and Kano 💯

[@brycedelano6518]

👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@Rivelino824]

Watched the 3rd series got to be honest it was average. Expected better to be honest.

[@Kikyo.]

Story was average 100%, but the acting was phenomenal icl. Peak the story line was mid for the last season.

[@briton3851]

@@Kikyo. not just the story, the writing was terrible aswell, completely wasting numerous new characters that couldve made the rest of the season hit hard