Top Boy’s Jaq Gets Her Own Netflix Series After Jasmine Jobson’s BAFTA Win

Jasmine Jobson is officially returning as Jaq, with Netflix giving one of Top Boy’s standout characters her own six episode series. It marks an impressive next chapter for a character who was originally expected to have a much smaller role before becoming a major part of the drama and earning Jobson a BAFTA.

Currently titled Jaq, the new series will follow Jacqueline beyond Summerhouse and continue her story after the events of Top Boy. Jobson will lead the series and also serve as an executive producer, with filming due to begin in 2027.

From smaller Top Boy role to her own series

Jaq’s rise within Top Boy is particularly interesting because creator Ronan Bennett has previously revealed that the character was initially envisaged as a lesser role. After seeing what Jobson could do with Jaq, the production decided to expand her part significantly.

That decision eventually turned Jaq into one of the show’s most recognisable characters. Jobson went on to win the BAFTA Television Award for Supporting Actress in 2024 for her performance, while Top Boy also won Drama Series at the same ceremony.

The new series now takes that progression another step further by moving Jaq from the Top Boy ensemble into the centre of her own story.

Jaq and Becks became an important part of Top Boy

Jaq was also significant as a lesbian character whose sexuality was part of her life without becoming the sole focus of everything she did. Her relationship with Becks, played by Adwoa Aboah, revealed a more vulnerable side to Jaq alongside the toughness viewers already knew.

The couple faced a disturbing storyline when they were attacked after kissing while walking home together, but their relationship was allowed to develop beyond that experience. Becks later became an increasingly important part of Jaq’s personal life as Jaq dealt with family tragedy and the responsibility of helping care for her nephew.

Netflix itself has brought Becks into the announcement of the new series by reminding viewers exactly where Jaq’s story finished.

By the end of Top Boy, Jaq had stolen 25 kilos of drugs from Sully’s stash before attempting to return them. Her final moments saw her lying beside a worried Becks and reassuring her that everything was going to be okay.

That ending now has considerably more significance because Jaq’s story is continuing.

Will Becks return in Jaq?

Netflix has not confirmed Adwoa Aboah for the new series, so Becks should not currently be treated as a returning character. With filming still some way off and the wider cast yet to be announced, there is plenty more information still to come.

Whether Jaq and Becks are still together will naturally be one of the biggest questions for viewers who followed their relationship in Top Boy. For now, all Netflix has confirmed is that Jacqueline’s life beyond Summerhouse will be the focus of the new drama.

When is Jaq coming to Netflix?

Jaq has been created and written by Ryan Calais Cameron, who will also executive produce alongside Jobson. Original Top Boy creator Ronan Bennett is among the returning executive producers.

Production is scheduled to begin in 2027, although Netflix has not announced a release date. The streamer is also developing Jonny Boy, a separate five episode prequel starring Barry Keoghan as Jonny McGee and directed by Ali Abbasi.

While Jonny Boy heads into the past, Jaq will move part of the Top Boy story forward. For a character who began with a comparatively small role before becoming a BAFTA winning fan favourite, getting her own Netflix series feels like a fitting next step.

For LGBTQ+ viewers, it also means Jaq’s story is not ending with the final episode of Top Boy. Whether Becks joins her remains unknown, but Jasmine Jobson is officially back and this time Jaq gets to take centre stage.

Top Boy and Top Boy: Summerhouse are currently available to stream on Netflix in the UK. Image credits -Netflix/