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Champion (British TV series)

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Champion
Created byCandice Carty-Williams
Written by
  • Candice Carty-Williams
  • Ameir Brown
  • Isis Davis
  • Emma Dennis-Edwards
  • Edem Wornoo
Directed by
  • John Ogunmuyiwa
  • Christiana Ebohon-Green
  • Caleb Femi
  • Adeyemi Michael
Starring
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Candice Carty-Williams
  • Bryan Elsley
  • Dave Evans
  • Danielle Scott-Haughton
  • Charlie Pattinson
  • Willow Grylls
  • Imogen O’Sullivan
  • Jo McClellan
ProducerJoy Gharoro-Akpojotor
Production companies
  • New Pictures
  • Balloon Entertainment
Original release
Network
Release1 July 2023 (2023-07-01) –
present

Champion is a British musical drama television series created and written by Candice Carty-Williams for BBC One. It began airing on 1 July 2023 and stars Déja J Bowens, Malcolm Kamulete, Ray BLK, Nadine Marshall, Ray Fearon, Jo Martin and Karl Collins. Set in South London, it focuses on the musical rivalry between two up-and-coming musicians, siblings Bosco and Vita Champion, and the ramifications and fallout of which could drive their family apart in their quest for musical stardom.

Synopsis

The Champion siblings of South London, Bosco, and Vita, risk a musical rivalry that could drive their family apart.[1]

Bosco has the fame but relies on his sister for support. Like a modern-day Cinderella, Vita sorts out his problems with stage-fright, writes his songs, and gets him out of the police station when he is arrested on his 25th birthday, but she gets no credit for any of it. Even her mother takes her for granted and favours her son. When Vita has the opportunity to record her own work she accepts even though it will be with Bosco's main rival.

Cast

Episodes

No. No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.K. viewers
(millions)[3]
11"Champion versus Champion"John OgunmuyiwaCandice Carty-Williams1 July 2023 (2023-07-01)N/A
As mentally unstable South London rapper Bosco Champion attempts a comeback upon his return from prison, his dutiful younger sister and songwriter Vita decides to pursue a solo music career, which causes friction between Bosco and her best friend Honey.
22"The Clash"John OgunmuyiwaCandice Carty-Williams8 July 2023 (2023-07-08)N/A
Under the management of Mark, the fiancée of Bosco's ex girlfriend and baby mother, Chantelle, Vita’s attempts to record her first single leave her at loggerheads with Bosco and a public revaltion during a freestyle battle between him and rival Birmingham rapper Bulla worsens things with the family.
33"Better Off on My Own"John OgunmuyiwaIsis Davis15 July 2023 (2023-07-15)N/A
As Vita’s fame rises and Bosco’s appears to fall, the siblings must decide what kind of people and artists they want to be – with potentially devastating consequences.
44"It's Big Rusty"Adeyemi MichaelEdem Wornoo22 July 2023 (2023-07-22)N/A
During touring, Bosco’s mental health strains and breaks as he is reunited with an old friend. Meanwhile, Vita makes a decision she may later come to regret.
55"I Love Her Man"Adeyemi MichaelEmma Dennis-Edwards and Candice Carty-Williams29 July 2023 (2023-07-29)N/A
Following the cancellation of his tour, Bosco's friendship with Memet strains after several incidents. Vita's plans to make amends with her mother don't go to plan. Beres receives devastating news from Jamaica.
66"Dat Is It"Caleb FemiAmeir Brown5 August 2023 (2023-08-05)N/A
Aria and Vita are forced together for the funeral of Beres' father in Jamaica. However, a family rapprochement is ruined when long-buried secrets come to the surface.
77"Moist Yute"Christiana Ebohon-GreenAmeir Brown and Candice Carty-Williams12 August 2023 (2023-08-12)N/A
Upon returning to London, Vita’s career goes from strength to strength but is faced with the decision to move away from her dysfuntional family. Meanwhile, Bosco’s life seems to fall apart upon learning that Beres is now controlling his career and Chantelle and Mark are taking his daughter Milan to New York City.
88"Rise of the Phoenix"Christiana Ebohon-GreenCandice Carty-Williams19 August 2023 (2023-08-19)N/A
Six months on, Vita realises she can't leave her brother behind. Meanwhile, Bosco’s healing journey changes everything.


Production

Candice Carty-Williams was revealed to be writing a London-based music drama for the BBC in May 2021.[4] Carty-Williams is also executive producer on the project which is coming from the production companies New Pictures and Balloon Entertainment, and produced by Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor. Executive producers also include Bryan Elsley, Dave Evans and Danielle Scott-Haughton for Balloon Entertainment, Charlie Pattinson, Willow Grylls and Imogen O’Sullivan for New Pictures, and Jo McClellan for the BBC.[5]

Writing credits on the series, with Carty-Williams, go to Ameir Brown, Isis Davis, Emma Dennis-Edwards and Edem Wornoo. Directing episodes are John Ogunmuyiwa, Adeyemi Michael, Christiana Ebohon-Green and Caleb Femi.[6]

Music

Ray BLK is making her acting debut on the series and is music executive on the project, along with Ghetts.[7] Candice-Williams wrote music for the series and had the music before the story and used it to help form the characters with their personalities matching their musical styles.[8] A song from the series written by Ray BLK, My Girl, was released as a single on 30 June 2023.[9]

Casting

In July 2022 the cast was announced to include Déja J Bowens, Malcolm Kamulete, Nadine Marshall, Ray Fearon, Jo Martin, Kerim Hassan, Adeyinka Akinrinade, Tom Forbes, Genesis Lynea, Karl Collins, Francis Lovehall, Corey Weekes, Rachel Adedeji and Ray BLK.[10]

Filming

Filming took place in Birmingham in July, through to September 2022. Filming locations included Selly Oak Corker.[11][12][13]

Broadcast

The series premiered on BBC One in the UK and Ireland from 1 July 2023, and repeated the following Tuesday on BBC Three.[14][15] In July 2022, Netflix bought the rights to the series outside the UK and Ireland.[16]

Reception

Hollie Richardson in The Guardian described it as having “sharp social observations” with “an impressive soundtrack”.[17] Dan Einav in The Financial Times criticised the “verbose” script but said that a “scene in which Bosco trades rapid-fire bars of improvised insults with his arch-nemesis Bulla is as exhilarating as any action-movie fight sequence.”[18] Anita Singh in The Daily Telegraph said “you’ll be rooting for Vita from the start, and Bowens is one to watch.” However, argued that the show would be better placed on the youth orientated BBC Three (which airs repeats of the series) rather than BBC One.[19] Emily Baker for iNews compares “Vita’s radio-friendly melodies to Bosco’s grime performances and clashes against other MCs” saying that the result is “authentic, varied and – crucially – a really good soundtrack.”[20]

References

  1. ^ Griffiths, Emmy (25 July 2022). "BBC's new drama Champion from Queenie author Candice Carty-Williams looks seriously good". Hellomagazine.com. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  2. ^ Cormack, Morgan (28 June 2023). "Meet the cast of Champion". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Weekly top 10 programmes | BARB".
  4. ^ Lloyd, Kate (20 May 2021). "'Queenie' author Candice Carty-Williams is writing a BBC drama about Black music in London". Time Out. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  5. ^ Goldbart, Max (25 July 2022). "Netflix Boards BBC Drama 'Champion' From 'Queenie' Writer Candice Carty-Williams". Deadline. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  6. ^ Lucas, George (12 May 2023). "BBC drama Champion unveils first trailer for new series". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  7. ^ Richards, Will (26 July 2022). "Ray BLK to make acting debut in BBC and Netflix show 'Champion'.The rapper will also serve as the music executive for the series alongside Ghetts". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  8. ^ Cottrell, Imani (9 November 2022). "Candice Carty-Williams talks Queenie, making history and believing in your unique voice". rts.org. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  9. ^ Day, Harvey; Lawton, Megan (1 July 2023). "Why BBC One's Champion will be 'a huge cultural moment'". BBC News. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  10. ^ "Cast announced for original new drama Champion from Candice Carty-Williams for the BBC and Netflix". bbc.com. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  11. ^ "Champion shoots in Birmingham for BBC One". filmbirmingham.co.uk. 8 August 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Champion shoots in Birmingham for BBC One". theknowledgeonline.com. 1 July 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  13. ^ Young, Graham (9 September 2022). "Champion BBC One series turns Selly Oak pantry into London cafe". birminghammail.co.uk. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  14. ^ Cormack, Morgan (8 March 2023). "21 TV shows written by women to look forward to in 2023". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  15. ^ Heritage, Stuart; Abbott, Kate (28 December 2022). "The 35 must-see TV shows to look forward to in 2023". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  16. ^ Ravindran, Manori (25 July 2022). "Netflix Buys 'Queenie' Author Candice Carty-Williams' BBC Drama 'Champion' for Global". Variety.
  17. ^ "TV tonight: Champion is a juicy south London drama about sibling rivalry". The Guardian. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  18. ^ Einav, Dan (30 June 2023). "Champion, BBC1 review — rap battles at gigs, family battles at home". The Financial Times. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  19. ^ Singh, Anita (1 July 2023). "Champion, review: for all its talents, this slick rap drama is too low-key for BBC primetime". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  20. ^ Baker, Emily (30 June 2023). "Champion, Daisy Jones and the Six, Mood: How TV is finally taking the soundtrack seriously". iNews. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
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