Vincent, also known as, The Chinaman, is a character in Top Boy, serving as a supporting character in Season 1 and a major antagonist in Season 2. He is portrayed by Benedict Wong.
Vincent was a Vietnamese shop owner and drug dealer who was willing to buy Heather's cannabis from her flat. Following Heather's departure, Vincent buys the flat and brings on Gem and Chantelle to run the cannabis farm.
In Season 2, Vincent is stabbed in the leg by Gem's father after learning of Vincent's abuse towards his son, accidentally severing an artery. Dushane and Dris who were present (on behalf of Ra'Nell's mother) during the attack also fled the scene. Vincent presumably bled to death on the floor of his shop.
Biography[]
Background information[]
Nothing is known about Vincent other than he is involved with other Asian associates and gangsters and has apparently known Heather before the series began. It is not revealed until season two he owns a pound shop.
Season 1[]
Vincent is at Heather's flat and reassures her she won’t have to do anything with the weed. Vincent says he will buy it off Heather for a good price, but does not specify how much. Vincent goes to see Heather at a later day and spots Ra'Nell Smith working the farm. He asks her why he's there, but Heather insists he’s a good kid. Vincent says he’ll pay her £3,000 a kilogram of crop although Heather wants £4,000. Vincent tells her £3,000 is a good price and that she can "take it or leave it." Ra'Nell wants to sell the weed to Dushane Hill for a better price, though his close friends Gerard Sullivan and Dris Wright intercept Ra'Nell and fatally shoot Leon during a fight.
After Heather's departure for a better home, Vincent purchases the flat. Ra'Nell's friends Chantelle and Gem Mustapha meet Vincent. He tells them it will cost £10,000 to setup, but the two don't have that much money. Vincent compromises, saying he’ll do everything for free but he will take the first crop.
Season 2[]
Vincent intercepts Gem before he gets to school. He inspects the faulty crop and says he’s owed 25 grand minimum. At a later day, Gem walks with Ra’Nell to school but Vincent is waiting for him. Vincent gives him a package to keep in his school locker then deliver, before meeting him at the shop.
When Gem returns to Vincent’s shop, he gives Gem some cigarettes. Gem tries to leave but Vincent pulls him back and smacks him. He says until Gem pays him back, Vincent owns him. In a strip club, Gem witnesses a buyer chop off Vincent's associate's arm during a deal. Gem tells Ra'Nell about the situation, and the latter goes to Vincent's shop to confront him. Vincent brutally beats up Ra'Nell and shoves Gem away when he tries to intervene. He then tells the duo to never come to the shop. Ra'Nell's mother Lisa goes to visit Vincent later but witnesses him berating shop suppliers and decides to walk away.
As Gem walks out his father's fish and chip shop, he unexpectedly sees Vincent waiting for him. Vincent bullies Gem, gives him a new package, and tells him to wait for his call. Lisa goes and sees Mr. Mustapha at his chip shop, and he gives her free food. She tells him about Gem's involvement with Vincent. Lisa had also asked Dushane for help with talking to Vincent. Dushane accepts the favour after finding out that Vincent beat up Ra'Nell. When Mr. Mustapha returns home, he finds Gem in bed drugged up. The next morning Gem wakes up and finds the drugs. Gem tells him it was Vincent.
Death[]
Vincent is in his store when Dushane and Dris come to confront him for beating up Ra'Nell. Mr. Mustapha then storms up to Vincent and stabs him in the leg, telling him to stay away from his son. Dris and Dushane pull him off and the three flee the scene. Vincent is last seen bleeding out on the floor begging for help.
Kill count[]
Proxy[]
- Unnamed associate: Forearm chopped off by a buyer during a drug deal.