How does Supacell address sickle cell anemia through its superhero narrative? Explained

Netflix has recently added Supacell to its library. The first season of this show came to Netflix on June 27, 2024. Season one has a total of six episodes, and each episode is named after individual characters who feature in this series.

The series addresses sickle cell anemia through its superhero narrative by showing how the disease makes an individual extraordinary. The series shows sickle cell as the source of the superpowers.

Supacell is directed collectively by Rapman and Sebastian Thiel. It stars Tosin Cole as Michael Lasaki, Josh Tedeku as Tazer, and Yasim Monet Prince as Veronica, among others.

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How does Supacell address sickle cell anemia through its superhero narrative?

In this superhero series, the creators and showrunners have created an interesting narrative where people with a disease are shown to be extraordinary and to have superpowers.

Supacell is originally about a regular group of people who develop superpowers. The only similarity they share is their dark skin color. While some enjoy their newly acquired superpowers, others find it hard to control them.

The official synopsis of this series, as per Rotten Tomatoes, reads:

"In South London, a group of normal people suddenly develop superpowers, and the only apparent connection between them is that they are all Black; as they deal with the impact of their powers on their daily lives, one man must bring them together."

In the series, the characters develop superpowers like time travel, teleportation, flash-like speed, and others. Being misfits, they all have to struggle to fit into society, and they cannot flaunt their superpowers or use them publicly, as that might get them arrested.

In the series, as we already know, the five unconnected South Londoners who develop superpowers have one thing in common: their skin tone. With the whole cast being black, it makes it more relatable for the viewers, as people of Sub-Saharan and African origin are highly affected by sickle cell anemia.

Sickle cell anemia is a genetic disorder that affects the red blood cells, and they become sickle-shaped, which makes it hard for them to carry oxygen all around the body. The cells die and slow down or interrupt blood flow, which affects the individual. There is no cure for this disease to date. It can only be treated via medications and blood transfusions to some extent.

Rapman talked about this interesting narrative and explained how, through this series, he wanted to address a major disease that mostly affects people living in the Sub-Saharan African region. Speaking to the BBC at the London premiere of the series, the showrunner said,

"It's something that has always affected our community and I never understood it. I wanted to show how a disease like this can make you extraordinary."

Rapman also talked about Supacell to GamesRadar and said:

“I know the superhero genre, 100% that’s been done to death, but ... is different – it’s a superpower drama about normal people, real people, not people that are martyrs, not people that are going to save the world, just people that try to save themselves and their families. Just what normal people would do.”

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Who stars in Supacell?

The show stars Tosin Cole as Michael Lasaki, Nadine Mills as Sabrina, Josh Tedeku as Tazer, Adelayo Adedayo as Dionne, Calvin Demba as Rodney, Eric Kofi Abrefa as Andre, and Rayxia Ojo as Sharleen.

After season one of this all-black superhero series was acclaimed by fans and critics, its creator, Rapman, in an interview with the Radio Times, talked about the possibility of a season renewal and said:

"For the beginning of the show, I always tell everyone that season one of Supacell to me is like Batman Begins. It's just beginning. You've got to see where it goes next to see who these people really are."

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Season one of Supacell is now streaming on Netflix.