BBC's Boarders Season 2 Locks April Release Date in the US (Exclusive)

Get ready to head back to St. Gilbert's because Boarders season 2 is headed our way in the US — and we finally have a release date and exclusive clip to celebrate.

Just a few months after the British coming-of-age drama first hit our screens, BBC announced season 2 was officially a go, and it shouldn't have come as a surprise given the rave reviews season 1 got. (ICYMI: the series boasts a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.)

Created, written, and executive-produced by Daniel Lawrence Taylor, who also stars in the show, Boarders should be on your to-watch list if it isn't already. “Bringing the new season of Boarders to life has been an incredible experience, especially with the exciting addition of new faces to the cast," Taylor said in a press release released by BBC and Tubi on October 15, 2024. "Watching the actors effortlessly return to their roles, as if they had never left, has been an absolute joy. We hope you enjoy this second helping of the series as much as we’ve enjoyed creating it!”

Below, find out everything we know so far about Boarders season 2, including its confirmed release date in the US, new and returning cast, first-look photos, trailer, and more.

Boarders is a comedy drama produced by Studio Lambert and airing on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer in the UK. The six-episode series follows the story of “five underprivileged Black students from inner-city London who win scholarships to an elite boarding school, stepping out of the urban metropolis and into a world they can only describe as something out of Harry Potter.”

Speaking to the BBC when the series was first commissioned, Daniel Lawrence Taylor said: "As the Black Lives Matter movement continues to grow momentum, and the world is becoming more aware of black struggles in white institutions, a show like Boarders has never been more relevant or ripe for comedy. Working with Studio Lambert and the BBC has been an absolute joy, and I’ve also bagged myself some of the most exciting Black British voices to help me bring this show to the screen."

Following its premiere in the UK on February 2024, the first season of Boarders premiered on March 8, 2024, in the United States via Tubi.

The BBC announced Boarders had been renewed for a second season on June 4, 2024. Much like season 1, Boarders season 2 was produced by Studio Lambert in tandem with All3Media International for BBC Three and BBC iPlayer and is expected to hit Tubi for United States watchers, too.

“The response to the first series has been incredibly inspiring, and I'm thrilled to announce the arrival of our second,” Daniel Lawrence Taylor said in the series announcement. "What I've cherished most about creating this series is showcasing Black experiences on screen and seeing how it resonates with everyone. While race can sometimes divide us, the emotions of feeling different, isolated, or trying to fit in are truly universal. I'm especially excited to collaborate with the cast again; they are all budding superstars, and I'm overjoyed to see them bring my words to life once more! I can't wait for you to see it!”

“I’m just happy that we get to give the fans season 2 since the reception was so amazing for the first,” Josh Tedeku, who plays Jaheim, tells Teen Vogue. “Usually, things like this don’t even get commissioned, let alone get a season 2, so yes, feeling good."

To accompany the news of the renewal, the cast also filmed a short but sweet video thanking viewers and crew for making season 2 a reality, which you can watch above.

Courtesy of Tubi

Boarders season 2 premiered in the UK in February 2025. However, fans in the US have been waiting for a while, and the wait is almost over. As of March 25, Teen Vogue can exclusively report that season 2 of Boarders will hit Tubi on April 17, 2025. Much like season 1, season 2 features six 45-minute episodes in total.

“I’m so excited to be bringing Boarders to the US again,” creator Daniel Lawrence Taylor tells Teen Vogue. "The response to season one was amazing — it honestly blew me away. I got so many messages about how much people were loving it, even if they had to keep the subtitles on to catch all the South London slang. It’s a real testament to how universal the themes and characters are. Hope the second season is enjoyed just as much!"

“I’m excited for the US to see the journey our characters go on this season, there are so many great storylines and new characters that add so much to the show,” Jodie Campbell, who plays Leah, adds. “I was super excited to hop back into the world of St Gilbert’s as Leah this season, as it’s great to reunite with the fantastic cast and crew. Also, the feedback from season 1 was so positive I felt really encouraged to bring the energy back this year.”

Pro tip from Josh Tedeku: pay attention to Femi’s arc. “I’ve definitely enjoyed seeing people's reactions to that in the UK. the most,” he tells us.

Courtesy of BBC/Tubi

Season 2 of Boarders picks up where season 1 left off. “Series one saw these five outsiders begin to thrive. Series two asks how much they’re willing to sacrifice just to survive,” the series' logline reads. According to a release shared by the broadcaster, Boarders season 2 focuses on a new era for St Gilbert's following headmaster Bernard's suspension and his interim replacement acting headmistress Carol Watlington-Geese (a.k.a. the mother of Jaheim's nemesis, Rupert), who wants our leading quintet gone from the school.

“We’re so excited to be returning to the world of Boarders for the BBC. Series one saw our five leads navigating the complicated world of St Gilbert’s in their own unique ways. Series two will follow their journeys across a new term of challenges as they strive to succeed. Daniel’s fantastic scripts continue to offer an irresistible blend of comedy and drama, and our gift of a cast is back to make us laugh, cry, and thoroughly entertain," Madeleine Sinclair, creative director and executive producer for Studio Lambert, says about season 2.

There is, indeed. The trailer for Boarders season 2, which you can watch above, was released on Jan. 24, 2025, and reveals the plot twist for our five scholarship students. At the end of the term, only three scholarships will be available, so let the academic games begin.

Previously, on October 15, 2024, BBC and Tubi shared a slew of first-look photos for Boarders season 2, which you can see below:

Courtesy of BBC/Tubi

Courtesy of BBC/Tubi

The main five — that is, Josh Tedeku (Jaheim), Jodie Campbell (Leah), Sekou Diaby (Toby), Myles Kamwendo (Omar), and Aruna Jalloh (Femi) — have all reprised their roles for Boarders season 2. Series creator and executive producer Daniel Lawrence Taylor also returns as the quintet's mentor, Gus, alongside additional returning supporting actors Harry Gilby (Rupert), Tallulah Greive (Beatrix), Rosie Graham (Florence), Assa Kanouté (Abby), Georgia Sadler (Mabel), and Niky Wardley (Carol Watlington-Geese).

Additional cast members from season 1 reprising their roles are Zheng Xi Yong (Xiang), Dillon Mitra (Dilton), Archie Fisher (Cheddar), Andrew Harmon-Gray (Graham), Ruxandra Porojnicu (Yelena), Kye Malcolm (Caleb), Llewella Gideon (Sylvie), Mohammed Mansaray (Malachi), Niyi Akin (Koku), Maxim Ays (Felix), Al Foran (Stanley), William Andrews (Mackers) and Yuriri Naka (Ms. Kaneko).

On October 15, BBC and Tubi announced that Boarders season 2 will welcome BAFTA-winner Wunmi Mosaku (Loki, Deadpool & Wolverine, Black Mirror) as Jaheim’s mum, Grace; Cara Theobold (Downton Abbey) as St. Gilbert’s new writer-in-residence Jude; Michael Salami (Supacell) as Femi’s Uncle Teju; and Kenda Brown in her debut on-screen role as the new American exchange student, Devon’ye.

Courtesy of BBC

Courtesy of BBC

On January 8, BBC also revealed the additions of EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy and The Traitors star Alan Cumming. According to a press release, Cassidy will play Sharon Hail, “a teacher at a rival school,” while Cumming will play a man named Alan who has “very high standards for both the party he’s hosting and the St. Gilbert’s students who find themselves there.”

“I loved series one of Boarders and was so thrilled to be asked to appear in series two," Cassidy said about joining the show. "There is such talent amongst all the cast and crew and I loved playing a very eccentric teacher. Don’t miss it!”

“I've always said that letting people know you are a fan of theirs is a good idea,” Cumming added about his own casting. "And, so it was with Boarders. I mentioned this to the producers (who also happen to produce The Traitors), and very soon after, I found myself on the set having such a fun time!"

This story will continue to be updated as new information about Boarders season 2 breaks.