NETFLIX’S LATEST SMASH, Supacell, has had us all in a chokehold—all 33 million of us (and counting). The UK-based series tells the story of six seemingly ordinary strangers from South London who develop extraordinary abilities. While the superhero trope of people acquiring powers through random events is well-established, writer and director Rapman (born Andrew Onwubolu) deliberately chose to connect these unlikely heroes via a serious and genuine genetic blood disorder: sickle cell.
Representing people with sickle cell in mainstream television for the first time ever, the show invites us into a world where individuals with a history of the condition can produce offspring capable of extraordinary feats—like running from London to Edinburgh at the drop of a hat, or dashing a man twice your size against a wall without lifting a finger. Many shows of its kind have overlooked real-world issues, but Supacell tackling sickle cell has delivered a TV moment that is powerful, necessary, and—let’s face it—long overdue.
The plot centres on Michael (Tosin Cole), a delivery driver balancing care for his mother who has the lifelong condition of sickle cell disease, and his heartfelt romance with his fiancée, Dionne (Adelayo Adedayo). The first five episodes, each named after a lead character with the Supacell trait, delve into their personal lives: Michael discovers he can travel through space and time, Tazer (Josh Tedeku) uses invisibility to attack his enemies, Sabrina (Nadine Mills) has telekinesis, Andre (Eric Kofi-Abrefa) has mega-strength, and Rodney (Calvin Demba) has super-speed. We witness their intersections with loved ones and rivals and their struggles to integrate these newfound abilities into their daily lives.
The storyline crucially reveals each character’s link to sickle cell—whether through parents receiving treatment on-screen or mentions of childhood testing. Although the characters don’t delve deeply into the disease’s complexities, the show has succeeded at prompting viewers to seek further information. Google Trends reveals a significant surge in searches for “sickle cell disease” since the show’s release on June 27, 2024.
If you’re of African lineage, you’ve likely heard of or encountered sickle cell disease at some point in your life: the highest rate of cases are in West Africa, with the Caribbean and the UK not far behind. For those unfamiliar, sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder where red blood cells, normally round and flexible, become misshapen or sickle-shaped and block blood flow in vessels. It’s usually diagnosed in early childhood, and while some people lead normal lives, others face lifelong health complications. Sickle cell trait is found in 1 in 4 West Africans and 1 in 10 Afro-Caribbeans, and can also be found in people with Mediterranean, Asian or Middle Eastern ancestry.
A U.S. study found that of 74,817 hospitalised sickle cell patients between 2016 to 2018, 93.4% were Black, 4.8% Hispanic, and 1.8% White, highlighting significant racial disparities. Therefore, awareness and research—like the work being done by Black Blood Matters UK and the Sickle Cell Society—are crucial for improving treatment and quality of life. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, often requiring repeated hospitalisation. This can include painful episodes called “sickle cell crises” (also depicted in the series), anaemia, heightened infection risk, and jaundice—an affliction the series illustrates using the characters’ golden eyes when they activate their powers.
Supacell has truly changed the game: it features primarily Black characters in a genre usually dominated by white leads, touching on race struggles without making them the central theme. It also celebrates Black British culture with a dynamic soundtrack featuring UK stars like Ghetts, Giggs and Digga D, adding further depth to the cultural backdrop. More significantly, it sparks important conversations about a condition prevalent in Black communities and reminds us of our resilience in adversity.
Rapman makes a compelling choice to include the eerie scenes with Ray (Eddie Marsan) in the secret lab facility that intertwines science fiction with something very real. In the series’ opening, we see a Black woman being chased by agents as she attempts to escape the lab where she and countless other Black individuals undergo testing for their abilities.
There are many echoes of Black history in this one scene. Notably, the Tuskegee study, a 40-year experiment on African-American men in Macon County, Alabama, observing untreated syphilis. It involved deception, providing fake treatments, and withholding penicillin from patients after its discovery as a cure. Exposed in 1972, it resulted in 128 deaths, 40 wives infected and 19 children born with congenital syphilis, leaving enduring stigma. Participants received no compensation or medical care afterwards and, despite its horrors, it prompted vital reforms in research ethics.
While many Black stories have historically been overlooked in the media and the science fiction genre, Rapman’s creative storytelling proves the power of Black people crafting their own narratives and that genuine storytelling and representation are indeed commercially viable. Supacell is more than a TV hit—it’s a cultural milestone. As well as spotlighting sickle cell disease, it subverts stereotypes, opening the door to more inclusive storytelling.
Amidst the gang violence and the disappearance of Black people, this is the South London seldom shown. We encounter hardworking breadwinners within diverse family structures facing genuine challenges. We see emotionally scarred characters like Tazer, and the nurturing nurse and protective big sister turned “bad gyal”, Sabrina, all driven by the imperative to “protect the ones you love.” Hopefully, we will see more shows that blend social impact with entertainment in this way. Increased awareness could lead to better healthcare outcomes, more funding for sickle cell research, and greater empathy and community support for those affected.
Rapman’s project breeds authenticity within a fictional universe. Although it doesn’t thoroughly depict the daily realities of living with sickle cell (they have Season 2 to expand on that), Supacell serves as a beacon of representation and education for the disorder, extending the superhero narrative beyond the screen. So, the next time you watch a sci-fi show, remember: heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and red blood cell formations.
“We just be doing shit,” he says. “Sometimes I do a couple songs, sometimes I only do one song. Sometimes I do five songs. I work every day though, so I make a boundless amount.” Hopefully, the new artists around him are taking notes.
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