The final season of Top Boy came with explosive drama, heartbreak, and an unforgettable conclusion that left fans debating long after the credits rolled. Among the most talked-about moments was the shocking death of Sully, a central character whose presence had shaped much of the series. His complex arc and ultimate fate were critical to the emotional weight of the ending. But one question stood out among viewers: who killed Sully at the end of Top Boy?
The Complex Legacy of Sully
Sully, played by Kane Robinson (also known as Kano), is one of the most iconic and troubled characters in Top Boy. Throughout the series, Sully walks the fine line between ruthless gangster and conflicted human being. His relationship with Dushane, loyalty to family, and personal demons made him both a feared and sympathetic character.
As Top Boy evolved from its earlier Channel 4 version to the grittier Netflix revival, Sully’s storyline became even more intricate. His decisions often set major plot events in motion, including betrayals, alliances, and acts of violence that impacted the entire Summerhouse community. His death, therefore, was not only a narrative turning point but also a symbolic end of an era.
Sully’s Final Actions
Before his death, Sully makes several major moves that put a target on his back. He eliminates key rivals, double-crosses allies, and becomes more isolated from those around him. His decision to kill Jamie, a fan-favorite and rising leader, further complicates his standing in the criminal world. Although Sully justifies the killing as necessary for survival, it sets off a chain of resentment and revenge among Jamie’s younger brothers and allies.
By the end of the series, Sully finds himself increasingly paranoid, hardened by his choices but also clearly worn down by the cost of the life he leads. His conversations grow darker, more reflective, and it becomes apparent that Sully is aware he may not survive much longer.
The Shocking Death Scene
In the final moments of Top Boy, Sully is sitting in his car after a long and emotionally draining day. Just as he seems to be letting his guard down, a hooded figure approaches from behind. A single gunshot rings out, and Sully is killed instantly. The scene is chillingly silent, with no music or dialogue just the finality of his death.
The killer’s identity is not revealed in the moment, leaving viewers stunned. The ambiguity was clearly intentional, sparking widespread debate about who pulled the trigger and what it meant for the show’s message about the cycle of violence.
The Main Suspects
Several characters are suspected of killing Sully, each with a potential motive:
- Stefan: Jamie’s younger brother had the strongest personal reason to want Sully dead. After Sully killed Jamie, Stefan was devastated. While he initially seemed innocent and unwilling to follow in his brother’s footsteps, grief and trauma can change a person. Stefan confronting Sully near the end of the show hints that he might be capable of revenge.
- Aaron: Jamie’s older brother, while less central to the narrative, also had cause to retaliate. Though not as emotionally intense as Stefan, Aaron had lost his younger brother to Sully’s cold decision. If anyone helped orchestrate the killing behind the scenes, Aaron is a possible candidate.
- Jaq: A key player in the Summerhouse crew, Jaq had grown increasingly disillusioned with the violence around her. She was especially shaken by the collateral damage Sully’s actions caused. Could she have turned against him in a moment of moral reckoning?
- The Irish gang: Sully and Dushane’s conflict with the Irish drug syndicate escalated significantly in the final season. They had both made enemies who might have taken the opportunity to strike when Sully was vulnerable.
Theories and Interpretations
While the show doesn’t confirm who killed Sully, many fans believe the most likely person is Stefan. His transformation across the series from a hopeful young boy to someone confronting the harsh reality of gang life mirrors the loss of innocence seen throughout Top Boy. In one of the final scenes, Stefan is shown walking away with a dark expression, shortly after Sully’s murder.
This ending ties into the broader theme of Top Boy: violence begets violence. The young are shaped by the choices of the old, and even those who want peace may be driven to kill. If Stefan is the killer, it is not simply revenge it is a tragic evolution, showing that no one escapes the cycle unscathed.
A Deliberate Mystery
The creators of Top Boy chose not to reveal the killer for a reason. By keeping the identity hidden, the show forces viewers to sit with the consequences of Sully’s actions, rather than focusing solely on who got revenge. The silence in his death scene speaks volumes this is not a triumph or a cliffhanger, but a grim reality.
Just like real life, Top Boy offers no clean resolution. There are no heroes or villains, only flawed people trying to survive in an unforgiving world. The show’s refusal to give easy answers reinforces its authenticity and hard-hitting storytelling.
The Legacy of Sully’s Death
Sully’s death marks the end of one of Top Boy’s most iconic characters, but it also serves as a warning. The criminal world he lived in left no room for trust, love, or peace. His choices caught up to him, and whether it was revenge or justice, the end was inevitable.
The finale invites viewers to reflect on broader issues: the impact of trauma, the cost of power, and the way communities are broken by cycles of crime. Top Boy never glamorized gang life instead, it exposed its emotional and psychological toll, particularly on Black British youth.
What the Ending Means for Fans
For many fans, Sully’s fate was a bitter but fitting end. His journey had always been one of internal conflict, and in the end, there was no redemption. Some may feel unresolved without knowing who killed him, but the emotional weight of the story doesn’t depend on that detail it lies in everything that led to it.
Whether it was Stefan, an enemy, or someone else entirely, the end of Sully’s story completes a narrative arc built on loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of a violent life. Top Boy closes with a message that lingers: in a world defined by survival, death is not just an ending it’s part of the cost.