FIRST LOOK Boarders

Time for one final term at St Gilberts.

BBC Three has released several first look images from the upcoming third and final series of its hit comedy-drama Boarders, which returns in March.

Written and created by Daniel Lawrence Taylor, who also co-stars in the series as Gus, Boarders follows five talented black inner-city teens transported to an alien world – an elite British boarding school – after gaining scholarships to the prestigious St. Gilbert’s.

Now they’ve made it to the final term, exams are looming, and the pressure is on. They’ve set their sights on big futures - but new dramas are erupting everywhere. A shocking school rivalry brings violence, love triangles and shattered friendships. Can the scholarship kids conquer the madness to come out on top?

Returning to St Gilbert's for the final series are Aruna Jalloh as Femi, Jodie Campbell as Leah, Josh Tedeku as Jaheim, Myles Kamwendo as Omar and Sekou Diaby as Toby.

Also back are Niky Wardley as Carol, Assa Kanouté as Abby, Tallulah Greive as Beatrix, Rosie Graham as Florence, Ruxandra Porojnicu as Yelena, Georgina Sadler as Mabel, Zheng Xi Yong as Xiang, Kendra Brown as Devonyé, Archie Fisher as Cheddar, Andrew Harmon-Gray as Graham, Maxim Ays as Felix, Al Foran as Stanley, William Andrews as Mackers and Yuriri Naka as Ms Kaneko.

The final series of Boarders will also introduce a host of new characters to St Gilberts including Rufus Jones as George Tramley, Cheddar’s MP father; Patrick Baladi as Carol’s ex, Alfie Watlington-Geese; Fatiha El-Ghorri as formidable rival headmistress Mrs El-Fassi, Kenyah Sandy as Leah's new love interest Benjamin, Daisy Jacob as Pixie, a new girl who quickly catches Femi’s attention, Louis Thresher as Jonny, Omar’s new friend who wants to be more than just friends, and Nagaieh Dad as Yusef, an unpredictable agent of chaos who pulls Abby into his orbit.

The third series promises a bold, funny and emotionally charged conclusion, to bring the story of Boarders to a fitting and unforgettable close.

Speaking ahead of the final series airing, writer, creator and executive producer Daniel Lawrence Taylor, said "I can’t wait for audiences to dive into our third and final season of Boarders. This final chapter delivers all the fun, funnies and messiness that fans have come to adore. I’m incredibly grateful for the love and support the show has received - it’s truly been a labour of love. Here's to one last ride!"

To which Studio Lambert's Creative Director, Scripted, Madeleine Sinclair, added "We’ve been so lucky with our hugely talented cast on Boarders, from our brilliant returning characters to the exciting new faces joining for series three. This final term at St Gilbert’s goes out with a bang, as Daniel’s scripts take us on a wild journey of ambition, rivalry and mayhem. We’ve pulled out all the stops to give Boarders the send-off that this special show, and its wonderful fans, deserve."

Made by Studio Lambert, Daniel Lawrence Taylor serves as lead writer, with Cherish Shirley, Temi Wilkey, Alex Straker, Emma Dennis-Edwards and Yemi Oyefuwa writing additional episodes.

The upcoming series has been directed by Yero Timi-Biu and Satya Bhabha, produced by Ali MacPhail with Carleen Beadle-Larcombe as line producer. Mykaell Riley will also return as Musical Director and it'll be executive produced by Daniel Lawrence Taylor and Madeleine Sinclair for Studio Lambert, and Nawfal Faizullah and Katherine Bond for the BBC.

Boarders returns soon to BBC Three