UWE Bristol alum stars in new BBC comedy

UWE Bristol alum, Myles Kamwendo, is one of five actors in the main cast of the new BBC series Boarders.

Myles, who graduated from UWE Bristol with a BA in Drama and Acting in 2022, plays comic-obsessed Omar in the series, which centres around the experiences of five Black students at prestigious private school St Gilbert’s.

Boarders has already received excellent reviews for its ‘sharp confrontations on privilege and tokenism’, and Myles commented on the way the series opens up these conversations:

“As actors, you want to be involved in projects that speak to a lot of people, that start up conversations – whether it’s race, institutional racism, or class divisions – these are things that need to be talked about openly.

“What Boarders does so well is hit you with those hard truths with the lightness of comedy – so it’s very digestible as a show.”

The series was filmed in Bristol, with Clifton College providing the backdrop for St Gilbert’s. Having grown up in Bristol, Myles was enthusiastic about the opportunity to film in his home city, a world away from long periods away for previous jobs.

The cast of five formed a close bond off-screen too, which Myles said enhanced the experience:

“From the very first time we met… we just clicked. The first thing we did after the chemistry reading was all go and get food together, and that set the precedent. You hear stories of castmates not getting along – but we just gelled from day one, and we’ve been close ever since.”

Boarders is now available on BBC iPlayer.