Supacell: The Black Superhero Show I Didn't Know I Needed

 A series about all-black superheroes in South London, with a link to an under-discussed disease that black people predominantly suffer from? Am I watching? Yes! 

The Plot  

When I first heard about Supacell I honestly didn’t want to watch it. I hate jumping on trends when it comes to watching things and Netflix always pisses me off when it comes to series about black people so I ignored it at first. 

But I can’t lie it’s summer. I’m bored at home, and The Boys isn’t coming back until 2026 at least so I thought I’d try it.  

For those who aren’t familiar with the show, it focuses on five individuals who unknowingly have superpowers. Michael, a delivery driver who can manipulate time and teleport., Sabrina, a telekinetic nurse, Andre, a super-strong ex-convict who’s trying to get back on his feet for his teenage son, Rodney, a drug dealer with superspeed, and Tazer, a gang member who can make himself invisible. After being transported to the future by his future self, Michael, the group's leader, must fight to find four superhumans. His mission is to prevent his fiancée's death and protect the superheroes from mysterious hooded attackers. 

It’s good right?! 

I was drawn in from the first episode because of black people with superpowers, obviously, but also because I knew that it was one of those shows that had plot twists, humour and drama all in one, without dragging it out to the point that each episode is 50 minutes.  

What makes Supacell stand out is its ability to merge the elements of superhero stories with the real-life challenges of black people living in South London. The show goes beyond flashy powers and dramatic showdowns, delving into the personal and societal issues each character faces. Their superpowers are intertwined with real struggles and their personal development. As the story progresses, we see them navigate their new identities while confronting their harsh and challenging lives. This fusion of the extraordinary with the everyday makes Supacell not just a superhero series but an accurate portrayal of people authentically living in the background of South London with supernatural powers and regular problems.  

The Characters  

The characters are a mix of hard-working and down-on-their-luck black people, to be honest. It’s not the dumb stereotype that all black people who live in London are poor or on road and struggling. It’s realistic, yet significant to the separate plots of each character.  

Take Andre, for example. Like many ex-convicts, he can’t find a job, even though his situation wasn’t entirely his fault, and he does whatever he can to get money for himself and his son.  

Sabrina doubts she can land a lucrative job in the medical field simply because she’s Black; a real-life fear that many black people face regardless of their experience or merit.  Rodney initially comes off as an annoying weed dealer, but we soon learn that his tough exterior hides a painful past—his mother abandoned him simply because he’s mixed race and she felt he wouldn’t fit into her new family. (Omg I wanna hug Rodney and smoke a j with him—I love that man lol). We’re only in season one, but we’ve already gotten glimpses into their backstories, which makes me love them as a team. Everyone except Andre in my opinion. Something about him rubs me the wrong way idk what it is but I’ll find out in season 2.  

Through every episode, we see them as day-to-day humans. They’re superheroes, but they’re not just saving random people.  They’re already caught up in their struggles—Andre trying to keep up with child support, Tazer navigating gang conflicts, and Sabrina doing everything she can to elevate herself at work. With so much on their plate, the last thing they have time for is helping someone save their fiancée or fending off mysterious figures hunting them down. They're simply trying to make it through the day. Their greatest battle isn’t just against villains but against the everyday challenges of life itself. 

Overall, Supacell masterfully blends Black representation with real-life challenges faced by Black and mixed-race Brits, making it a 10/10 for authentic storytelling and diverse characters. 

Sickle Cell Disease  

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders that affect haemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen through the body. Normally, red blood cells are disc-shaped and flexible enough to move easily through the blood vessels. In sickle cell disease, red blood cells become crescent- or “sickle”-shaped due to a genetic mutation. These sickled red blood cells do not bend or move easily and can block blood flow to the rest of the body. The blocked blood flow through the body can lead to serious problems, including stroke, eye problems, infections, and episodes of pain called pain crises. 

Sickle cell disease is particularly common among people of African or Caribbean descent. In

Supacell, it’s revealed that the character’s powers are triggered by sickle cell anaemia, a genetic trait passed down through their families. I love how the show subtly ties their abilities to sickle cell, reflecting a reality many Black people face. Often, individuals discover they carry the sickle cell gene through their parents or other relatives. For instance, Michael’s mother suffered severely from the disease, while Andre shares a memory with his son about his grandfather, who died from the illness, recalling the sound of his laughter. 

The show serves as a launching pad for the recognition of sickle cell disease as it is a highly unknown but deadly disease that affects thousands. Rapman brilliantly connects sickle cell to superheroes, transforming something often seen with negative connotations into a source of power.

As I watched, it felt like the stigma around sickle cell was stripped away, making it appear more like a superpower in the context of the show. 

John James, CEO of the Sickle Cell Society, has noted that Supacell was a success regarding his organisation, noting that it has seen about a 20% increase in inquiries since the show’s release. "Sickle cell gets very little attention," he said, and this series offers a new lens on a condition many know little about. For some, it’s eye-opening: "People who know very little about the condition will think, ‘Wow, this is a different way to portray this condition.’ 

The creativity in the portrayal of the sickle cell disease makes me give this show even more flowers.  

Its Symbolism  

For me, I saw Supacell as a symbol of black people with underlying health conditions being brought to light but I also noticed the small link to black people being used. Michael's mother was contacted by a private healthcare unit that helps people with sickle cell disease. However, the plot twist at the end of the show reveals that the doctor in charge of the unit is actually capturing people with the supacell trait and using their powers for her gain. This kind of links to the way that black people are used as experiments and test subjects by many ill-informed medical professionals. The exploitation of sick black people to get to the supacell individuals links this show not only to sickle cell and its effects but also to the exploitation of black people in the medical field.  

Conclusion  

I give Supacell a full 10/10. Its such a creative, fresh take Oma superhero show, as well as a perfect way to include diversity and put South London on the map without it seeming forced or changing it the way that Netflix usually does. I finished it in a day and I cant wait for season 2. I'm so excited for more plot twists, more character development, more Rodney!!! 

As well as being funny, entertaining and representative, this show also helped so many people with sickle cell and sickle cell trait. Its known now, thousands more people can understand it, and as well as that people who have sickle cell or know someone close to them with sickle cell  can connotate it to superpowers.  

Rapman never misses, and he did his thing with this show. All I want now is more shows like this, shows that present the normal, genuine representation of black Londoners and more recognition and true to life portrayal of us.