The British sci-fi series “Supacell,” created by Rapman (Andrew Onwubolu), has taken Netflix by storm, topping charts globally and earning a perfect 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. This captivating show follows a group of South Londoners who develop extraordinary abilities such as superhuman strength, speed, teleportation, premonitions, and flight.
“Supacell” goes beyond the fantastical to address real-life issues faced by Black Britons. The series subtly incorporates themes of casual racism, healthcare bias, gender inequality, and primarily, sickle cell anaemia—a health challenge affecting Black communities. Since its release, “Supacell” has garnered over 18 million views in its first few weeks and currently holds the No. 1 spot on Netflix’s global top 10 list.
In an exclusive interview with BellaNaija, Rapman, the show’s mastermind (showrunner, creator, writer, and lead director), shares his inspiration. He explains his desire to challenge the perception of sickle cell anaemia as a weakness, stating, “I never understood a disease that predominantly hurts black people. Because our skin is dark something is making us weak. So I said, let me do something. Instead of making us weak, let me do something to make us strong. If something can make us weak, then something can make us strong.”
Rapman also discusses the love story between Dionne and Michael, the importance of infusing African culture into the series, and the possibility of a second season.
Watch the full interview below: