Top Boy fans can hardly contain their excitement as the latest series lands on Netflix.

Season three will spell the end of the Netflix series once and for all, wrapping up kingpins Dushane (played by Ashley Walters) and Sully’s (Kane “Kano” Robinson) stories for good.

Star Ashley is at the heart of the London drug-dealing drama, but his real life couldn't be more different from his character's.

Here's a look at Ashley's life off screen…

Early life and career

Ashley was born in Peckham, south-east London, to Jamaican parents. He was raised by his mother, Pamela Case, a local government officer.

He attended St. Georges CE Primary School, Camberwell, from the age of four. He then went on to Pimlico School, now known as Pimlico Academy. He completed his GCSEs, receiving top grades in all 10 subjects.

Music lovers will best recognise him as Asher D, from British rap group So Solid Crew.

A 17-year-old Ashley and the rest of his bandmates won a Brit Award for their No.1 hit song 21 Seconds which came out in 2001.

In 2002 Ashley was jailed for 18 months after he was found to be carrying a loaded air pistol. It was following his release from prison that he decided to take a step back from the world of rap and pursue acting instead.

Ashley went on to get his big break as Rick in the 2004 movie Bullet Boy, which was inspired by his own experience as an ex-offender trying to rebuild his life after prison.

Family life

Away from fame, Ashley is a doting dad to his eight children.

The actor has two sons, Shayon, 21, and 18 year old Panera, as well as daughter China, 20, with his ex-partner Natalie Williams.

He went on to have daughters Antonia and Ashleigh with another woman before eight year old Amaiya-Love and five year old River with actress Danielle Isaie who he married in 2013.

He is also the step-father to his wife’s child from another relationship and so is a father-of-eight, in addition to becoming a grandfather to Neveah Jade Walters, when he was 38.

Ashley lives in Herne Hill, London with Danielle and his kids. He opened up about their busy family lifestyle to The Guardian.

He said: "It can be crazy, juggling it all, both of us working, too.

"I’ve called two of my children this week, but I need to call the others.

“I find it a challenge sometimes to have all that responsibility."

Top Boy season three premieres on Thursday, September 7, on Netflix

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