Written by Davina Nylander
The most groundbreaking works of art begin with a thought. For Rapman, the multi-talented mastermind behind Supacellthe idea was simple: “What if people from all over the world had superpowers?” When the idea came to him in 2019, the storyteller realized he had stumbled upon something special – and Netflix recognized it too.
Five years later, Rapman’s idea has evolved into a critically acclaimed series that has gone on to become a global hit and a monumental gift to black British television and beyond.
You won’t often catch me diving into a science fiction series, but when I was struck by the unique twist in “Supacell”s storyline, I had no choice but to tune in. As a black British doctor, few diseases move me more than sickle cell anaemia – it is the most devastating genetic disease affecting the global black community and I have seen its impact first hand. For me, the glory of Supacell is that it breaks open the narrative around sickle cell anemia and cements its role as more than just a superhero story. I binge-watched the series at my local hair salon and as my barber wove patterns into the cornrows of my Fulani braids, we got lost in the fascinating world on screen.
Supacell tells the story of five seemingly ordinary South London locals navigating newfound superpowers while battling the complexities of everyday life, from fatherhood and relationship issues to problems at work and gang culture. The story is entirely homegrown – Rapman reflects on his childhood in Deptford, weaving his own experiences with the stories of the people around him to paint a gritty and heartfelt picture of black South London.
As the story progresses, we eventually learn that the main characters are united by their DNA – they all carry a rare and mutated “Supacell” variant of the sickle cell gene that gives them supernatural abilities. Their eyes turn gold when their powers awaken, mimicking a real-life symptom of sickle cell disease: jaundice, or jaundice, caused by the destruction of their delicate red blood cells. By locating sickle cell anemia in the beating heart of the brain, Action, Supacell has turned this cruel situation into gold, raised awareness and sparked an important discussion in today’s pop culture.
Sickle cell disease is caused by a gene mutation that runs in families. If a child inherits the sickle cell gene from both parents, they will be born with the full form of the disease; if they inherit it from only one parent, they will be a sickle cell carrier. This gene mutation affects the oxygen-carrying part of our blood (hemoglobin), causing red blood cells to become deformed and bend into a sickle shape, like a crescent moon. These abnormal blood cells can wreak havoc on the body, causing serious illnesses such as strokes, anemia (low red blood cell count), and unbearably painful episodes called “sickle cell crises.” The disease mostly affects black people because this mutation may protect against malaria. Therefore, the sickle cell gene survives and continues to be passed on to people from communities where malaria is common—mainly in sub-Saharan Africa.
I have met thousands of patients in my career as a physician, but let me tell you about one I will never forget. During a night shift in the emergency room, a 17-year-old black boy with sickle cell anemia was admitted. He lay shaking and weakened by pain in his hospital bed, with no family or friends by his side. “Please, doctor,” he begged me, doing his best to hold back his tears. No medical exam can prepare you for the heartbreak of witnessing such suffering. I made sure his treatment plan was in motion before I returned to him, because I wanted to make sure he knew he was not alone. I held his hand and whispered, “I’m so sorry.” His skin was a similar shade to mine; he reminded me of my little brother. “It’s OK,” he said through gritted teeth, even though it wasn’t. “I’m used to it.” He spent most of his life in and out of hospital between blood transfusions and episodes of excruciating pain – no 17-year-old should be “used to” that. But this boy’s courage left me speechless. If his strength isn’t a superpower, I don’t know what is.
While we recognize the devastating impact of this disease, it is also important to us to encourage sickle cell disease survivors. The central tenet of Supacell is exactly that. Rapman has created a world where sickle cell anemia is more than just a plague, but a source of strength. The five main characters carry the sickle cell gene and therefore have superpowers; in other words, sickle cell anemia Is her superpower. Supacell inspires us to see the sickle cell community not just as victims of their DNA – but as who they truly are: supermen and superwomen, superboys and supergirls.
For more information about sickle cell anemia, see: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sickle-cell-disease
Many survivors of sickle cell disease depend on blood transfusions and therefore need our help. For more information about donating blood, visit: https://www.blood.co.uk
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