This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
*When “Boarders” first hit the small screen, it broke ground with a story rarely seen in British television — one that centers young Black teenagers from inner-city London navigating life at an elite, predominantly white boarding school. Now, as the comedy-drama returns for a second season on Tubi, creator and executive producer Daniel Lawrence Taylor dives deeper into themes of identity, belonging, and resistance within systems designed to exclude.
The idea for “Boarders” began with an article Taylor read that resonated with his experiences during his formative years. “The very nugget of the idea was from an article that was sent to me, which was about five young Black teens that were given a scholarship to a private school in England,” Taylor says. “As I was reading the article, a lot of the experiences resonated with my own experiences… It was just a world away from where I grew up. A lot of the things that they were talking about really resonated with me. It just seemed like the perfect fish out of water story to tell.”
Season one introduced that fish-out-of-water premise–five uniquely drawn teens finding their way in an unfamiliar world. Taylor was intent on showcasing the diversity of the Black experience. “I wanted to make them very unique and very different because I wanted to show how Black people move in these spaces because we all do it in a different way,” he says. “There’s no right or wrong way.”
As season two begins, the stakes are even higher. With the headmaster who brought the students in now suspended, the acting headmistress makes it clear: the students are no longer welcome. But rather than focusing solely on survival, Taylor explains, this season is about growth and connection. “Series one was definitely like surviving,” he says. “Series two was much about them thriving… It’s more about them coming out of their shells and being able to be just teenagers a bit more.”
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That coming-of-age experience is layered with nuance, especially against the backdrop of an institution that’s still deeply resistant to change. “I wanted it to be about them finding their home and their tribe and their connections,” Taylor adds. “Even though you’ve got this strong propulsion at the beginning of only three of you are surviving… they’re still the Black kids in this very white, rich world.”
Known for his award-winning comedy “Timewasters,” Taylor brings a mix of humor and heart to “Boarders,” though this series veers into drama more than his previous projects.
“This one’s slightly different because it’s a comedy-drama,” he notes. “I just love telling Black stories because I feel like our stories are so interesting… What connects my shows is that I always talk about the Black experience.”
Authenticity is a driving force in “Boarders,” especially in its casting.
“It was very important,” Taylor says of finding the right actors for the five leads. “I made sure I did my research. I went into schools. I made sure I watched all my programs and let the lingo of young people [inform the show].” He also gave the actors room to make the dialogue their own. “I gave all the actors a lot of freedom in terms of the language and how they said their lines, because I wanted it to feel authentic and I wanted it to feel real.”
That authenticity pays off in the emotional core of the show, as well as in its social commentary.
“I think what’s so amazing about this show is those five characters… they just show a young Black experience and they do it with so much joy and laughter,” Taylor says. “But then I also… I think you kind of take away a better understanding of what it’s like for these kind of characters to navigate their way through these institutions. I’d like to show on screen that it’s not always the individual. Sometimes it’s the institution itself that is the problem.”
At its heart, “Boarders” remains a compelling blend of sharp storytelling, character-driven drama, and unapologetic insight. And as Taylor says, the message is simple: “First and foremost, it’s a piece of entertainment and I want you to enjoy it. But also — learn something at the same time.”
“Boarders” Season Two will premiere all six episodes on Thursday, April 17, on Tubi.
Watch our full conversation with Daniel Lawrence Taylor via the clip below.
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