Netflix Orders 'Top Boy' Prequel 'Jonny Boy' With Barry Keoghan Starring and Producing
Netflix has greenlit a five-episode prequel to the BAFTA-winning crime drama 'Top Boy,' with Barry Keoghan reprising his role as Jonny McGee and serving as an executive producer through his Wolfcub banner. Original series creator Ronan Bennett returns as writer, while Drake and Ali Abbasi are attached as executive producer and director, respectively. Production is scheduled to begin in 2027.
The prequel marks a significant expansion of the Top Boy universe, which originated on Channel 4 for two seasons before Netflix revived it in 2017 following Drake's advocacy. Keoghan's character Jonny McGee only appeared in the show's fifth and final season, which aired in 2023 and later won the BAFTA for best drama in 2024. The actor's producing career has been shaped by collaborations with LuckyChap and Element Pictures, and he has described using those experiences to inform his work through Wolfcub, which he co-founded with Des Byrne. Keoghan's upcoming commitments include portraying Ringo Starr in Sam Mendes' Beatles biopics, making this prequel part of a busy production slate.
This prequel could extend the cultural conversation around British crime dramas, which have historically drawn large international audiences on streaming platforms. The involvement of Drake and SpringHill Studios may broaden the show's appeal beyond its original U.K. fanbase, potentially introducing the gritty Summerhouse estate narrative to viewers unfamiliar with the source material. For Keoghan, the project may further cement his transition from actor to producer, while the 2027 production timeline suggests Netflix is investing in long-term franchise building that could influence how other streaming services approach reviving dormant intellectual property.