Donovan

**Donovan** was a supporting character in the third season of *Top Boy*. He is portrayed by Kimo Armstrong.

Donovan was Dushane Hill's cousin in Kingston, Jamaica who was bound to a wheelchair. He ran his father's car hire business with Dushane as an employee. While Donovan was not involved in criminal activity, he did associate with Lester, a member of the Yardies led by prison drug lord Sugar. Dushane was forced to shoot Lester during an attempted robbery, and the former fled to London to recompensate for Sugar's dead man.

Dushane told Donovan to hide with his aunt Bernadette because he was unsure whether he can pay Sugar the promised money by the end of the month. Sugar learns of this and later, on a video-call with Dushane, Donovan is murdered by a Yardie member under Sugar's orders as incentive for Dushane to pay.

## Biography

Donovan is likely the son of Pat Hill's sister. The reason why Donovan was in a wheelchair is unknown. Dushane sees the picture of a young Donovan at his mother's house, meaning he was born without the use of his legs, or he had suffered in accident in his childhood. By September 2019, Donovan was working at his father's business "Perry's Car Rentals" in Kingston, Jamaica. At some point between 2012 and 2019, Dushane arrives in Jamaica from London and works alongside Donovan.

Prior to the third season, Donovan met and began going out with Sheanay.

### Season 3

#### Episode 1: Bruk Up

Donovan is at a party with his girlfriend Sheanay and his cousin Dushane Hill. A man named Marlon recognizes Dushane from Summerhouse, and Dushane excuses himself to meet up with Lester, who tommorow plans to rob a post office for quick money.

The following day, Lester goes to Donovan's place of work and asks about the whereabouts of Dushane. When Dushane arrives, Lester hands him a drink and warns him about Lester, and more specifically Sugar, his boss, who is crazy. Marlon walks in with his girlfriend and is surprised to see Dushane working there. Outside, Dushane helps the man with renting a car, then rings Lester to pick him up.

The post office is closed, and Lester attempts to rob a grocery store instead. An employee is killed when he tries to stop Lester from shooting the elderly owner, and Dushane shoots Lester in the back. Dushane returns to Donovan at work and tries to convince him to escape Jamaica and come to London. Donovan says he does not have a passport and can't abandon his dad or his business.

Dushane goes to visit Sugar in prison. Sugar is angry that Lester has been killed, but Dushane tries to reason with him, saying that he was about to kill the old woman. Sugar is not having it however and says he won’t leave the prison alive. Dushane says Sugar isn’t selling in London. He knows Sugar has the drugs and Dushane has the people. Sugar reluctantly agrees before allowing Dushane to leave the prison. Dushane tells Donovan he’s going back to London, but Donovan reminds him of the problems he has over there. Dushane says he’ll deal with them.

Dushane and Donovan are together, but two police officers arrive. They order Dushane to put Donovan into the police car before getting in himself. They then drive off into the hills. The police stop the car as Dushane asks what’s happening. They refuse to tell him as another car pulls up. A man named Haze steps out, carrying a gun. They lead Dushane and drag Donovan into a clearing in the trees. Haze tells Dushane to get on his knees, pointing the gun at his head. Haze asks Dushane if he respects Sugar, before leaving with the two police officers.

Later, Dushane is seen carrying Donovan down the road on his back.

#### Episode 2: Building Bridges

In London, Dushane is round the lake in a meeting with Haze. He tells Dushane that the new shipment will be five bags of white and five dark. He tells Dushane the exact location and right time. He demands 10 grand off Dushane. He makes it clear that Sugar will get what is his, reminding Dushane about his cousin Donovan.

#### Episode 3: Big Flame

Dushane begs Gerard "Sully" Sullivan to partner up with him again in the drug game. Sully however is still upset with Dushane as Sully thinks Dushane is only out for himself. Dushane explains how he is 36, has no woman, no kids and sleeping on Dris' sofa. He tells Sully how a gangster (Haze) had a gun to his head and is threatening to kill Donovan if he doesn't come up with 10 bands. He explains how Jamaica changed him, however Sully doesn't want to forgive Dushane and refuses his big offer.

Later, Dushane is on a video call with Donovan, catching up. Donovan tells Dushane nothing has happened to him yet, and Dushane tells Donovan everything will blow over soon.

#### Episode 4: Bonfire Night

Haze and his bodyguard go over to meet with Dushane. Dushane tells Haze that there was no deposit, but Haze then tells Dushane that a new shipment is coming in at 7am at the Blue Sky Industrial estate. Haze tells him if he is late, or doesn't have 10 grand, then Donovan will die.

At night, Dushane pours out a glass of rum and walks out of Dris' flat to ring up Donovan. The two joke how the ladies in London are excited for Donovan's arrival. Donovan asks if Dushane has talked with an immigration lawyer, and Dushane tells him it will take some paperwork. Donovan tells Dushane he trusts him, and that Dushane has never let him down before.

#### Episode 6: Press Gang

Haze makes his way to the pick up. Haze tells Dushane that he is going to drop Dushane 20 kilos and reminds Dushane about promising Sugar that he will sell drugs all over London as he is in a middle of a drug war. Dushane picks up his shipment and goes back to his car with Sully. Sully reminds Dushane that Jamie needs to be dealt with ASAP in order to save Donovan from the Jamaican gangsters.

Later, Dushane is at the hospital. He tells Donovan on the phone to go their aunt Bernedette's. He also tells him that it might get heavy and to try not to be seen.

   Whilst the Summerhouse crew are testing out guns for an attack on the rival London Fields gang, Dushane pops outside and gets a video call from Donovan. When Dushane answers it happens to be an enforcer for Sugar. He points a gun at Donovan's head while Donovan pleads for his life, but shoots him. Dushane starts crying over his death, and Haze then sends a text message to Dushane saying "Don't try hidin a man from Sugar in his own yard."

### Post-mortem

When Dushane meets his mother, she is visibly upset with Donovan’s death and blames Dushane, thinking he was responsible for it. She tells him to leave. With avenging Donovan's death on his mind, Dushane shoots Haze in the head and Sugar is poisoned to death by Donovan's girlfriend Sheanay as she poses as a random prostitute. Sully tells Dushane that killing Haze is a big risk, but Dushane has no worries.

## Trivia

* Donovan's father Perry is never seen in *Top Boy*, however Donovan implies he is alive.

## References

1. ↑ According to Dushane's phone which reads 23:04.