The Cast Of 'Boarders' Reveals Behind-The-Scenes Secrets That'll Have You Binging Season 2 ASAP

The BBC comedy-drama Boarders has captivated us with its heartwarming, funny, and insightful portrayal of Jaheim, Leah, Femi, Omar, and Toby – five Black inner-city teenagers navigating life at the prestigious St. Gilbert's boarding school.

Mixing humour and real-life struggles around race, class, and identity, the show has sparked tons of conversations and earned plenty of praise. Season two brought even more twists and turns, leaving fans eager to see what happens next.

So before we dive into season two, let's just talk about the first season Did you expect the reaction to be so, so big and so broad when you were working on it?

Myles: Honestly, you never really anticipate how a show will do whilst you're shooting. All you know is you've got a script, you're surrounded by great actors, and you're essentially just throwing your shot in the air and hoping that people will receive it well. And fortunately, that happened with us. I think seeing the response after it aired was a bit surreal because you never quite know what people will latch onto.

Aruna: For me, I'm not going to lie, I actually thought it would be big. From reading the first draft and doing our first reading, I could tell by the reaction in the room that it would be received well. It still could have tanked, but it didn't. I think the combination of the writing and the chemistry between the cast really made it special.

Have you seen any of the reactions online? Do you have any favourites?

Aruna: Honestly, of course, it's cool to see the Jaheim stuff and Toby edits and the Leah and Femi stuff. They're trying to ship that. Seeing fan theories and edits on social media is so wild because it shows how invested people are. Omar's getting it this year. 

Myles: The Squidward one is making me crazy! Some of the memes are so creative – I honestly don’t know how people come up with this stuff.

Aruna: It's amazing to see how invested people are in these characters and how much love they have for them, even though some of them are harsh. It’s nice to see that the show has sparked conversations, whether it’s about relationships, identity, or even just the funny moments.

What aspect of the show did you guys relate to the most personally, given that it's a coming-of-age story?

Aruna: For me, it was like going to uni. The school I went to before was in South London, so drama school was a shock. It was about figuring out how to take up space and just be myself. That experience of being somewhere completely different and having to adapt without losing yourself – that’s something I think a lot of people go through.

Myles: I actually attended a private school, so it was more or less a flashback. It was about finding yourself and adapting, like the characters. It’s tough because you’re trying to balance fitting in with staying true to yourself.

Are there any particular characters besides Omar and Femi that you related to the most?

Aruna: I can see myself in all of them – Jaheim’s vibe, Leah’s activism, Toby’s smarts, Omar’s focus, and Femi stepping out of his comfort zone. They each represent different parts of what it’s like growing up and trying to figure things out.

Myles: I'd have to second that. Especially with Femi; figuring out where you fit in. His struggle with identity and belonging is something I think a lot of people can see themselves in.

By the end of season one, the group had found their spot in St. Gilbert's, but then season two hit them with the bombshell of losing the scholarships, and solidarity is a big theme. How did you work together to that believable?

Aruna: From day one, since the first read-through, the five of us have been tight. Bringing that chemistry on screen was second nature. I think that bond shows in the way the characters fight to stick together despite everything.

Myles: I second that. The playfulness, the jokes, the banter, the wisdom – it’s a family vibe. It’s rare to have that kind of connection with your castmates, and it definitely made the heavier scenes easier to film.

One of the most anticipated storylines was Omar's love life and his journey of embracing his sexuality. How was it to film those scenes, and what do you think about the fan theories shipping Omar and Rupert?

Myles: Honestly, it was great to expand on Omar and his relationship with Dilton. For Omar, it was about figuring out what he wants out of someone. That journey of self-acceptance was really important. About Rupert, I'm not really for it. Rupert's just trying to figure it out and he and Omar have a very particular friendship. I think it’s nice to see a friendship that isn’t forced into being something more.

Aruna: Yeah, I don't ship it. That's not a healthy relationship.

And with Femi, we saw in season one him struggling to find his Black excellence, then having to defend his path to his uncle in season two. How did you approach that storyline, and did you draw from personal experiences?

Aruna: I have a very supportive family who are in the arts, so I didn’t have those struggles. But I do remember a moment of standing my ground about acting despite what others said. Femi's struggle to prove himself and balance the expectations of others really resonated with me. I think his journey of finding a way to express himself authentically, especially in an environment that doesn't always understand or appreciate that, is something a lot of people can relate to. It’s about fighting for the space to be yourself without compromising.

How do you balance the comedy with the more serious themes of the show?

Aruna: That's the world of where the characters live. We add humour to tackle a lot of things. Sometimes we improv just to make things hit a bit more. It’s about finding light in dark places.

Myles: Life is serious and funny at the same time. I just root my character in reality and let the scene and the words do the talking. Playing the truth of a situation makes it land, whether it’s funny or heartbreaking.

What are you hoping to see for the guys and St. Gilbert's in Season 3?

Aruna: I'd like to go deeper into Omar's life, see more of Toby, and maybe let Leah have less stress! There’s so much more to explore with these characters.

Myles: Mainly, I'd love to strip down the walls and see who these young adults truly are. The more we understand them, the more real the stakes feel.