Champion: entertaining BBC rap drama set in south London
Malcolm Kamulete and Déja J. Bowens star in Candice Carty-Williams’s new series
This “consistently entertaining” BBC drama was written by Candice Carty-Williams, whose 2019 novel “Queenie” was a publishing sensation, said Ellen E. Jones in The Guardian.
The plot revolves around two rival siblings: Bosco Champion (Malcolm Kamulete), a 25-year-old rapper who is fresh out of prison (“trumped-up charges, M’lud”), and his sister Vita (Déja J. Bowens). She is rumoured to have written many of his best bars, but she has never made it in her own right – until a rival of Bosco’s gives her a shot. Like the hip-hop saga “Empire”, the series is “satisfyingly soapy”; and the soundtrack is full of “certified bangers”.
The BBC announced “Champion” as part of a raft of shows that it said would “push the boundaries”, said Anita Singh in The Daily Telegraph. “This is TV code for ‘if you’re middle-aged and from Middle England, you won’t like it’.” Despite being older than its target audience and so “un-edgy that one of my greatest thrills is a scone and pot of tea in a John Lewis café”, I rather liked it. The performances are “excellent”; the drama’s portrayal of south London life seems authentic; and “you’ll be rooting for Vita from the start”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“Ironically for a show about rap”, it is rather “let down by some verbose scripting, contrived plotting and lax pacing”, said Dan Einav in the Financial Times. “Repeated arguments and recriminations soon become wearing, while even quieter moments can suffer from characters spelling out obvious thoughts and emotions.” Still, it “comes alive whenever it brings the music to the fore”.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Italian senate passes law allowing anti-abortion activists into clinics
Under The Radar Giorgia Meloni scores a political 'victory' but will it make much difference in practice?
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Magazine interactive crossword - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine solutions - May 3, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 3, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Sarah Langan recommends 6 women-centric horror books
Feature The horror novelist recommends works by Stephen King, Gillian Flynn, and more
By The Week US Published
-
6 spacious homes for car lovers
Feature Featuring a 14-car showroom in Oregon and a Bentley-style apartment in Florida
By The Week Staff Published
-
6 serene homes in Vermont
Features Featuring a four-level Shaker barn in Hartland and a Scandinavian-inspired home in Stowe
By The Week US Published
-
Amanda Montell's 6 favorite books that will expand your knowledge
Feature The linguist recommends works by Mary Roach, Alice Carrière, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Aitch or haitch: the linguisitic debate that 'matters a lot'
Talking Point 'University Challenge' host Amol Rajan has promised to change the way he pronounces the letter 'H'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Rowan Beaird recommends 6 compelling books from the 1950s
Feature The author recommends works by Patricia Highsmith, Shirley Jackson, and more
By The Week US Published
-
6 spacious homes with great rec rooms
Feature Featuring a suspended fireplace in Arizona and a marine-themed home in Maine
By The Week Published
-
The Secret Army: the IRA propaganda film forgotten for almost 50 years
Why Everyone's Talking About 'Chilling' BBC documentary reveals how US TV crew documented the inner workings of paramilitary group in 1970s
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published