Jamie Tovell is one of the main characters in Top Boy, serving as the main antagonist in Season 3, the tritagonist in Season 4 and the posthumous overarching antagonist of Season 5.
Jamie is a gangster and leading figure in the narcotics distribution ring of Hackney, London. Originally a member of the London Fields gang, he was embroiled in a power-struggle for leadership following the arrest of its leader Morris "Modie" Gregory, and began aggressively monopolising the local drug market with the reformed ZT crew. His organisation dominated until his narcotic supplier was hijacked and he was deposed by his rivals Dushane "Top Boy" Hill and Gerard "Sully" Sullivan, co-leaders of the expansive Summerhouse gang.
Eventually Sully, having discovered Jamie's plan to regain power, and feeling increasingly patronized by Dushane, murdered Jamie and deposed Dushane as leader of the Summerhouse gang.
Although much of Jamie's criminal career was defined by ruthlessness and violent ambition, his close paternal relationship with his brothers Aaron and Stefan, as well as his inner sense of justice, largely characterised his character dynamic and role within the wider power struggle. He also served as the main antagonist/anti-hero in Season 3, one of the main protagonists in Season 4 and the posthumous overarching protagonist in Season 5.
Biography[]
Background & Past[]
Jamie Tovell was born on the 3rd of June, 1997 to a married couple in Hackney. He had two younger brothers: Aaron and Stefan Tovell. In 2015, Jamie's parents both contracted cancer and died within months of one another, prompting Jamie to take legal ownership of his younger brothers and see to their upbringing. Jamie formed a particularly close attachment with Stef, who had been a small boy when they were orphaned, and whom at 10 years old sees Jamie as a father figure.
In order to provide for his family, Jamie turned to the streets with his childhood friend Kit, eventually becoming a major figure in the local drug trade and landing a position as a valuable capo within the London Fields gang, founded and run by the unhinged Morris "Modie" Gregor.
Season 3[]
Jamie is seen living with his 2 brothers Aaron and Stefan who is a legal guardian for after their parents passed away. Jamie also had big plans for his gang's drug business. After Modie is sent to prison and appoints Leyton as the leader, Jamie then self appoints himself and takes the leadership off Leyton. Jamie then factions the Fields gang to ZT.
Jamie and Kit meet up with Lizzie and Jeffrey asking to sell their product across London. As the deal is agreed Jamie and Kit go to kill the Turks who were currently supplying the London gangs.
Jamie and Kit make their way to see A-Roadz leader Cam, Jamie then chats up Tilly at her workplace, then as Jamie approaches Cam and tries to sell Lizzie's drugs to him. Cam took an offense to Jamie's offer. As Jamie meets up with Tilly, Cam then finds Jamie and he retaliated, injuring Tilly, the gang starts a war with the A-Roadz gang until then Lizzie encouraged Jamie to eliminate Cam for good. Jamie and his gang kidnap Cam and they beat him throwing off the building in front of Cornell who then agrees with Jamie's deal.
Jamie and Dushane meet to lay down the law after Jamie hears about Dushane and Sully back on top and running Summerhouse. Jamie then sends his gang down Summerhouse to run them off stabbing Romy and pouring acid in Rowmando's face. Jamie thought of that idea to Lizzie after Dris and Jaq kidnapped Lizzie as Jamie said Dushane will have a problem with his suppliers instead. But then Leyton decides to kill Sully, Jamie had to go into hiding to avoid Sully. Jamie then visits Ruben to hack the CCTV camera so he can look out for his brothers.
Jamie's old boss Modie escaped from jail and demanded all of Jamie's earnings. When the police finally caught up with Modie, Jamie and Lizzie killed Jermaine and Jamie then had only one problem which was Dushane and Sully. Jamie demands his gang to kill them both immediately. With the help of Dris and Dushane knew about it, Dushane had a plan to use Stefan's best friend Ats to hide a gun in Jamie's home to set up Abby, Aaron and Stefan. Police found the gun and arrested Aaron, Stefan and Abby. Jamie then takes the fall to save his brothers from going to jail.
While Jamie is in prison, he gets a prison visit from Dushane and offers Jamie a way out, but he had one request.
Season 4[]
Jamie agreed to Dushane's offer and the charges were dropped. He is picked up by Aaron and Kit. Jamie meets up with Farah, Tyrone, Si and the other gang members, Jaq, Kieron and Romy come to the Fields to tell Jamie to meet Dushane at Number 1 Caff. Jamie meets Dushane and accepts to work for him.
Back at home, things are strained with his 2 brothers. Jamie told Stefan to forgive Ats for betraying them. Ats was later found murdered and dumped in a skip bin.
Dushane needed Jamie to go to Morocco to settle a problem. Lizzie suggested double crossing Dushane. Out in Morocco meeting Mounir and Chaash, Jamie advised to take his shot. Jamie made a new deal by meeting up with Juan el Bueno to make a new deal for Dushane and Jamie then makes a secret deal for himself as Jamie intends to get back on top again with Juan el Bueno. Sully then flies to Spain to overlook Dushane's new deal. As Jamie, Sully and Emilio meet Juan el Bueno and his 2 bodyguards, Sully susses out that Jamie was making a secret deal with Juan. Sully and Emilio kill Juan and his 2 men.
Back in the UK things turned sour for Jamie, After finding out that Kit ordered Dexter to kill Ats and Kit killed Dexter before Dushane got to him, Dushane then gets Jamie to investigate. Kit admitted to Jamie that he got Ats killed and told Jamie that it was because Ats was dissing Stefan but didn't mean to have him killed.
Jamie tells Dushane that Kit admitted having Ats killed but reasoning why. Dushane then tells Jamie that he has to kill Kit. Loyal to his friend, Jamie planned to escape London and move to cardiff with Kit's cousin. Jamie's plan caused a rift with his brothers. Aaron was sick of Jamie ruining his life and Stefan found trouble while trying to sell a gun to A-Roadz member Tunde. Jamie saved Stefan and realised he couldn't ruin his brothers' lives.
Promising to put his family first, Jamie then turns his loyalty with Dushane and kills his best friend Kit. With their problems settled, Dushane had big plans for Jamie. Jamie and Jaq are working under Dushane's wing.
Jamie's death after getting shot in the head by Sully
At the end of season 4, Sully then couldn't let go what happened, Sully knocks on Jamie's door at Jamie's flat, as Jamie answers the door Sully then shoots him in both sides of the chest and one in the head in front of his brothers.
Kill count[]
Murders committed by Jamie[]
- 3 Turkish gangsters: All shot to death alongside Kit, just so Jamie to monopolise the drug market. (27/9/2019)
- Cam: Beaten to death alongside Kit, Si, Leyton, Tyrone, Farah & 2 ZT gang members for shooting Tilly and refusing Jamie's offer. (30/9/2019)
- Jamaal Green: Shot in the back of the head believing he was Sully. (5/10/2019)
- Kit: Shot in the head for being partly responsible for the death of Ats and proving his loyalty to Dushane. (23/5/2020)
Murders connected to Jamie[]
- Leyton: Shot in the back of the knee by Farah as punishment for going against the gang but Leyton then bled to death. (5/10/2019)
- Ricky: Shot in the chest by Jermaine, as Jamie, Modie and Jermaine find Dushane and Sully's safehouse attempting to get at them. But Dushane and Sully get away in time.(10/10/2019)
- Gerry: Shot to death by Modie, as Jamie, Modie and Jermaine find Dushane and Sully's safehouse attempting to get at them. But Dushane and Sully get away in time.(10/10/2019)
- Juan el Bueno & his 2 men: All shot by Sully and Emilio, Jamie was there when it happened (21/5/2020)
Possible murders by Jamie[]
- Jermaine Newton: After Jamie and Lizzie had a fight with Jermaine, there maybe a possibility that Jermaine was either killed by Lizzie or Jamie.
Trivia[]
- Jamie does everything to make sure his two brothers don't get involved in the street life. He wants his younger brother Stefan to do well in school and keep his attendance high. He also made sure his other brother, Aaron attended University.
- After Jamie's death, Si runs the gang and recruited his younger brother in the gang.
- Stefan and Erin share a moment talking about Dris and Jamie as they know Sully killed them both.
References[]