The show, being made for Netflix, is billed as a “grounded superhero show”
After leaving his Doctor Who role, Tosin Cole headed stateside to star in US crime drama 61st Street. Now, however, he’s back in Blighty leading a new Netflix superhero show filming on the streets of South London.
According to Deadline, Cole takes the lead role of Michael Lasaki in Supacell.
The show, from Rapman aka Andrew Onwabolu (Blue Story), sees six South Londoners developing superpowers. However, the show promises a more grounded take on the genre, as he says:
“… if I got powers, my first thing wouldn’t be to go and buy a spandex outfit. I was thinking ‘What can I use my powers for to put my family in a better position?”
Here’s the synopsis for Supacell:
A group of ordinary people from South London unexpectedly develop super powers with no clear connection between them other than them all being Black. As they deal with the impact on their daily lives, one man has to bring them together to protect the one he loves — all while avoiding the powerful and nefarious agents that have noticed their special abilities.
Tosin Cole’s character is described as a “van driver, an everyday working man, who’s deep in love” with Dionne, played by Adelayo Adedayo (The Responder).
Supacell’s cast also includes Nadine Mills, Eric Kofi Abrefa (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom), Calvin Demba, Rayxia Ojo and Giacomo Mancini. Rapman will direct half of the six-part series, with Sebastian Thiel (Dreaming Whilst Black) helming the remainder.
While Rapman serves as showrunner, Mark Hedges is the series producer and Sheila Nortley is Block2 producer and associate producer. Geraldine Hawkins serves as co-producer. Rapman serves as executive producer, with Anna Ferguson and Steve Searle for Netflix. Mouktar Mohammed of New Wave also executive produces, with Henriette Lee an associate producer.
Filming on Supacell has started – we’ll keep you posted.