Stream It Or Nah: Netflix's Massive Summer Hit, 'Supacell'

Set in South London, the new Netflix series Supacell follows a group of Black individuals who gain superpowers due to a sickle cell mutation. Unlike typical superhero narratives where characters excitedly experiment with their newfound abilities before using them to fight evil, the characters in Supacell approach their powers with wariness and fear.

Take Andre (Eric Kofi Abrefa), for instance. Unable to keep a job due to his criminal record, he accidentally discovers his super strength when, frustrated by his meager bank balance, he punches an ATM, causing it to dispense hundreds of pounds. Rather than seeing this as an opportunity, Andre is terrified of the consequences, fearing a return to prison.

Similarly, Michael (Tosin Cole) finds himself inexplicably transported several months into the future, standing over the grave of his fiancée, Dionne (Adelayo Adedayo). Far from being thrilled by his time-traveling ability, Michael becomes obsessed with preventing Dionne’s death — a storyline that drives much of the series. In this future, Michael encounters a version of himself who provides a list of names crucial to saving Dionne.

Among those named are Tazer (Josh Tedeku), an aspiring gang leader with the power of invisibility; Sabrina (Nadine Mills), a nurse whose sister Sharleen (Rayxia Ojois) is trapped in an abusive relationship; and Rodney (Calvin Demba), the sole character who genuinely embraces his superpower — super speed.

Created by British rapper and screenwriter Rapman (Blue Story), the series offers a unique perspective on the superhero genre, exploring the implications of ordinary Black individuals suddenly gaining extraordinary abilities. The antagonists are not just societal pressures but also a shadowy organization intent on imprisoning Black superheroes because they don’t trust them to exist safely within society.

While the six-episode series may not boast Hollywood-level special effects or action sequences — its budget appears more in line with typical British productions — it compensates with rich character development and social commentary. Rapman skillfully uses the superhero premise to illuminate the Black experience in England, thoughtfully examining what it means to be gifted and burdened with extraordinary abilities in a world that’s already challenging for its characters — creating a compelling series that has quietly become one of the summer’s surprise hits, topping the Netflix charts for the better part of the last month.