Youngers
{{Short description|British comedy drama series}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| image =
| caption =
| alt_name =
| genre =
| creator = Benjamin Kuffuor
Levi David Addai
| writer = Levi David Addai
Benjamin Kuffuor
Mark Catley
Georgia Lester
| director = Anthony Philipson
| creative_director =
| presenter =
| starring = Ade Oyefeso
Calvin Demba
Shavani Seth
Arinze Kene
Joivan Wade
Percelle Ascott
Dee Kartier
Little Simz
Michelle Ndlovu
| judges =
| voices =
| narrated =
| theme_music_composer =
| opentheme =
| endtheme =
| composer = Aiden 'S.K.I.T.Z Beatz' Hogarth
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| num_series = 2
| num_episodes = 16
| list_episodes =
| executive_producer = Luke Alkin
Kenton Allen
| producer = Radford Neville
| editor =
| location = Peckham, United Kingdom
| cinematography =
| camera = Multi-camera setup
| runtime = 30 minutes
| company = Big Talk Productions
| channel = E4
| first_aired = {{start date|2013|3|20|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2014|6|25|df=y}}
| related =
}}
Youngers is a British comedy drama series created by Benjamin Kuffuor and Levi David Addai. It began airing on E4 on 20 March 2013. It is produced by Big Talk Productions.{{cite web|url=http://www.bigtalkproductions.com/big-talk-makes-e4-music-drama/ |title=Big Talk makes E4 music drama / Big Talk Productions |publisher=Bigtalkproductions.com |date=1999-02-22 |access-date=2013-04-01}}
The series has been picked up for international distribution by BBC Worldwide.
Premise
The series follows a group of south-east London teenagers aiming to become the next big thing on the urban music scene. It opens with Yemi (Ade Oyefeso) and Jay (Calvin Demba) on their way to school to collect their GCSE results. After collecting the results, Yemi finds out he has had straight A's, whilst Jay receives poor grades. Jay then receives a leaflet about a local music competition, and pays to go and perform at the competition. At the reception, a grumpy receptionist soon enlists them as 'youngers', on the performers sheet. They deliver an excellent performance, and slowly, rise to the top of the music charts. Yemi adds his secret-crush Davina to their group, who loves Jay. Getting managed by their good friend Ash, the Youngers slowly make their way to the top of the music charts in London, however, the higher they get, more problems emerge. Slowly, the group starts to fade away, as Jay and Davina get into a secret relationship to hide things from Yemi.
Production and cast
The series was greenlit for an eight episode order in August 2012.{{cite web|last=Munn |first=Patrick |url=http://www.tvwise.co.uk/2012/08/e4-orders-urban-music-drama-youngers/ |title=E4 Orders Urban Music Dramedy 'Youngers' |publisher=Tvwise.co.uk |date=2012-08-23 |access-date=2013-04-01}} Producer Luke Alkin said in an interview that the series is inspired by the mainstream success of British urban music, citing artists such as Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah as models for the lead characters of Jay and Yemi.{{cite web|url=http://www.cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/4563-e4-orders-new-teen-drama-youngers |title=E4 orders new teen drama 'Youngers' |publisher=Cultbox.co.uk |date=2012-08-23 |access-date=2013-04-01}} Well respected UK composer Aiden Hogarth aka S.K.I.T.Z Beatz was brought in to create the original soundtrack.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/urban/9226-interview-skitz-beatz|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007094751/http://www.mtv.co.uk/music/urban/9226-interview-skitz-beatz|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 October 2013|title=Latest Music News, Charts, Playlists and Videos}}
There was an open casting call in early 2012 for the lead roles of Jay and Yemi, where over 350 actors were seen.{{cite web|last=Khalsa |first=Balihar |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/commissioning/big-talk-makes-e4-music-drama/5045552.article |title=Big Talk makes E4 music drama | News | Broadcast |publisher=Broadcastnow.co.uk |date=2012-08-23 |access-date=2013-04-01}} To audition, it was required that the actors have some rap or musical background. After Ade Oyefeso and Calvin Demba were added to the cast, the series was filmed between September and November in Peckham.{{cite web|author=20 hours 12 min ago. |url=http://www.urbandevelopment.co.uk/blog-categories/news-events/news-e4-drama-youngers-extras-casting_4323 |title=NEWS: E4 Drama 'YOUNGERS' Casting Extras! |publisher=Urban Development |date=2012-09-13 |access-date=2013-04-01}} The final cast was made up of predominantly new talent including YouTube act and Brit School graduates Mandem on the Wall.{{cite web|last=Sigel |first=Tego |url=http://www.rwdmag.com/film-and-tv/article/mandem-on-the-wall-graduate-to-e4-in-upcoming-series-youngers |title=Mandem on the Wall Graduate To E4 in Upcoming Series Youngers | Film and TV | RWD |publisher=Rwdmag.com |date=2012-08-23 |access-date=2013-04-01}}
Broadcast
{{update|date=July 2015}}
The series was declared a 'hit' after a 450,000 viewer turn out for the first episode. E4 have said, "Youngers has been a huge success, but we have to let time tell the tale from here, as the following episodes will have to be even better for it to continue."{{cite news|last=Kanter|first=Jake|title=Youngers draws 450,000 to E4|url=http://m.broadcastnow.co.uk/5053178.article|access-date=27 March 2013|newspaper=Broadcast Now|date=21 March 2013}} On 27 June 2013 it was announced by Morgan Jeffery on the Digital Spy Website that E4 have ordered a second series for Youngers. It was broadcast in June 2014 with 8 new episodes with Calvin Demba, Ade Oyefeso and Shavani Seth returning, along with YouTube sensation Mandem on the Wall.
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| style="width:10%;" rowspan="2"| Series
! style="width:15%;" rowspan="2"| Timeslot (GMT) ! style="width:7%;" rowspan="2"| # Ep. ! colspan=2| Premiered ! colspan=2| Ended ! style="width:20%; background:#ffdead;" rowspan="2"| Viewers |
|---|
| Date
! span style="width:7%; font-size:smaller; line-height:100%;"| Premiere ! Date ! span style="width:7%; font-size:smaller; line-height:100%;"| Finale |
| 1
| {{center|Wednesday 7:30 pm}} ! 7 | style="font-size:11px;line-height:110%"|{{center|20 March 2013}} ! 450,000 | style="font-size:11px;line-height:110%"|{{center|8 May 2013}} ! TBA ! TBA |
Episodes
| color1 = #4646C8
| link1 =
| episodes1 = 8
| start1 = 20 March 2013
| end1 = 8 May 2013
| color2 = #FF8000
| link2 =
| episodes2 = 8
| start2 = 7 May 2014
| end2 = 25 June 2014
}}
Season 1
{{Episode table |background=#4646C8 |overall=|title= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=South's Finest – Part One
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2013|3|20|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= It is GCSE results day, and friends Yemi and Jay nervously make their way to school to find out what the future holds.
|LineColor=4646C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=South's Finest – Part Two
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2013|3|27|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Jay and Yemi enter the world of Boxes nightclub, determined to win Mic Star. The competition does not seem as heavyweight as first expected, but the hostile crowd reaction lets the boys know that this will not be easy.
|LineColor=4646C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=For Man-dem Only
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2013|4|3|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= After the Boxes debacle, Jay attempts to get his phone back from Jodie, but she's not going to give it up easily.
|LineColor=4646C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=Enigma
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2013|4|10|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Jay begins his first day working with his dad, which brings an opportunity that he believes will propel the Youngers into the big time.
|LineColor=4646C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=A to B and the Apology
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2013|4|17|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Jay takes it upon himself (with a little help from Davina) to create a music video to make amends for Enigma. However, without Yemi, who is struggling to get to grips with his college work, he makes a mess of things.
|LineColor=4646C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=Money Mad
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2013|4|24|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Davina has an idea to help boost the Youngers' profile and get more online hits for their music video.
|LineColor=4646C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7
|Title=It's All About Love
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2013|5|1|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Davina's school performance approaches, but she can not get Jay out of her head. Jay does his best to be loyal to Yemi, while Yemi takes the plunge and asks Davina out, but soon discovers the real reason for her rejection.
|LineColor=4646C8
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8
|Title=United We Stand
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2013|5|8|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Ashley lines the Youngers up as special guests at the Avengers Krew mixtape launch night concert. But unbeknown to the others, Yemi has already started work with AK, so Jay and Davina have a heart-to-heart. They are soon offered a record label.
|LineColor=4646C8
}}
}}
Season 2
{{Episode table |background=#FF8000 |overall=|title= |airdate= |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=1
|Title=Divided Ain't Cool
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2014|5|7|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Jay tries to work with a new producer on his first solo track, while Yemi struggles as the leader of his youth choir. With Davina out of the way can the two put the past behind them and move on?
|LineColor=FF8000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=2
|Title=Boss Lady Business
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2014|5|14|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Davina gets a job at the local gym but her patience is tested by her crazy boss. Ashley makes amends with the Youngers to secure a record deal.
|LineColor=FF8000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=3
|Title=This Is Where The Magic Happens
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2014|5|21|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= The Youngers are on a deadline to produce a new track but are feeling the strain of working together again. Ashley comes face to face with a shady old friend who could be the answer to his problems.
|LineColor=FF8000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=4
|Title=Professional Problems
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2014|5|28|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= The rivalry between Jay and MC Mar-Lon intensifies and threatens to mess up the band's first paid gig – along with the Youngers' big chance of finally getting signed.
|LineColor=FF8000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=5
|Title=Links
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2014|6|4|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Yemi chaperones the pastor's daughter around Peckham and has no idea what he's let himself in for. Mar-Lon and Davina enjoy their first date, but Jay is resentful.
|LineColor=FF8000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=6
|Title=What Happened To Keeping It Real?
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2014|6|11|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= Ashley masterminds a new plan for success but gets in deeper with Benny to help him along. Bangs' track becomes an unexpected hit around town.
|LineColor=FF8000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=7
|Title=Hotter Than The Sun
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2014|6|18|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= While Ashley appears to be solely focused on Bangs, whose track has gone big, Davina is devoting all her time to Mar-Lon. Yemi is totally caught up with Abena.
|LineColor=FF8000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber=8
|Title=Hook of Revelations
|OriginalAirDate={{Start date|2014|6|25|df=y}}
|ShortSummary= The Youngers, Bad Breeds and Bangs are due to perform at the opening party for Benny's studio. But Mar-Lon and Jay compete for Davina's affections and put each other at risk.
|LineColor=FF8000
}}
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|id=2783314|title=Youngers}}
- [http://whatsgoodonline.com/film-and-tv/shavani-seth/ What's Good? Online | Interview with Shavani Seth]
Category:2013 British television series debuts
Category:2014 British television series endings
Category:British English-language television shows
Category:E4 (TV channel) dramas
Category:Television shows set in London
Category:British comedy-drama television shows
Category:British teen drama television series
Category:British television series about teenagers