Supacell

The entire premise is built on a genetic trait that exclusively gives black people superpowers. The show uses this science-fiction element to explore racial inequality, black identity, and the daily struggles of black British communities in South London. It blends classic superhero tropes with social commentary on the black experience, making identity-driven themes a core part of the narrative.

The show critiques Western systems, like the medical establishment and the police. The police are portrayed as unhelpful or actively biased against black youths. The ultimate villains run a medical research facility that experiments on and exploits black individuals. A main character struggles with bias within the National Health Service. These elements frame Western institutions as untrustworthy.

Some viewers on social media platforms criticized the series as pushing a woke agenda due to its exclusively black cast and the scientific explanation that only black people get superpowers. Others complained that the depiction of white clinical villains exploiting black victims felt divisive. However, the backlash remained relatively minor, with many viewers focusing on the sci-fi action.

Creator Rapman and director Sebastian Thiel have a strong history of producing projects focused on black representation and urban struggles. They have both partnered with major platforms on diversity initiatives to hire black television candidates behind the camera, indicating a strong commitment to industry DEI priorities.