Malorie Blackman’s award-winning Noughts + Crosses books are being adapted into a six-part TV series for BBC One, and the cast list and a first pic have now been released. Written by Toby Whithouse (Being Human), Lydia Adetunji (Riviera), Nathaniel Price (Tin Star) and Rachel De-Lahay (Kiri), the story is set in an alternate world where racism divides society.
Noughts + Crosses follows two young people Sephy and Callum, who are divided by their colour but united by love. Sephy is a ‘Cross,’ a member of the black ruling class and daughter of a prominent politician. Callum is a ‘Nought,’ a white member of the underclass. The two have been friends since early childhood but their relationship grows ever more complicated as they come of age. It’s the story of two families separated by power and prejudice but forever entwined by fate.
It’s been revealed that Jack Rowan (Peaky Blinders) will star as Callum McGregor opposite newcomer Masali Baduza as Sephy Hadley. Paterson Joseph (Peep Show) is Sephy’s dad and British Home Secretary Kamal Hadley, Bonnie Mbuli (Wallander) is her mum Jasmine and Kike Brimah (Love Type D) will be her sister, Minerva. Additionally, Helen Baxendale (Cold Feet) and Ian Hart (The Last Kingdom) are to star as Callum’s parents Meggie and Ryan, and Josh Dylan (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) will play his brother, Jude.
“I’m thrilled that the TV dramatisation of Noughts + Crosses has such an amazing cast to bring the story to the screen,” said author Malorie Blackman in a statement. “It will be so exciting to see how the writers and actors open up the world I created, adding new breadth and detail.”
Production on the new series has kicked off in South Africa, directed by Daredevil‘s Julian Holmes, and it should appear on the Beeb some way into 2019.
More as we get it.