Everything we know so far about Noughts + Crosses

Malorie Blackman’s hit series of novels for young adults, Noughts + Crosses, creates an alternative Britain where black people – the Crosses – rule over white people – the Noughts.

In this universe, Africa colonised Europe – not the other way around – and enslaved its people. Now, centuries later, slavery has been abolished, but policies of racial segregation are still in place, enforced by a brutal military and police.

With seething tensions between the classes, Albion is a powder keg waiting to erupt.

In the middle of it all are a Nought soldier, Callum, and the daughter of a powerful conservative Cross politician, Sephy. While Sephy’s family campaigns for the maintenance of the status quo, Callum’s brother and father have joined the revolutionary Liberation Militia.

Sephy and Callum are united by love, but divided by the colour of their skin. Will they be allowed to let their budding romance flourish in a world where being together is against the law? And how will Callum face up to his friends in the opposition movement? Where do his loyalties really lie – with Sephy, or with the revolutionaries who are fighting for justice? And what will Sephy’s father do when he finds out?

The six-part series was adapted for TV by BAFTA-winning Doctor Who writer Toby Whithouse, and, as you’ll notice immediately, was filmed in South Africa. Capetonians will recognise locations in the trailer, especially the Castle of Good Hope.

People are people. Noughts are Noughts, Crosses are Crosses. #NoughtsAndCrosses pic.twitter.com/K41XvZPNKs

— Noughts + Crosses (@noughtcrosstv) November 18, 2018

The first look at the gorgeous sets and costumes

The cast

Callum is played by Jack Rowan, whom you may recognise from Peaky Blinders. Newcomer Masali Baduza plays Sephy, and Josh Dylan (The End of the F**king World S2) stars as Callum’s friend who is instrumental in the opposition movement.

Sephy’s father is played by Paterson Joseph from Peep Show, The Leftovers and The End of the F**king World. Her mother, Jasmine, is played by South Africa’s own Bonnie Mbuli.

Helen Baxendale (Emily from Friends) stars as Callum’s mum, and there’s even an appearance by Stormzy the rapper, who is a huge fan of the novels. He plays a newspaper editor, a role that was created specifically for the show.

Stormzy will appear in Noughts + Crosses as newspaper editor Kolawale. 👊

The series is adapted from @malorieblackman's novels. Enjoy his set at @BBCR1 #BigWeekend. pic.twitter.com/IJn1MPTqxu

— BBC One (@BBCOne) May 25, 2019

Where to stream Noughts + Crosses

Watch Noughts + Crosses online from 23:00 on 12 March 2020 – it’s coming express from M-Net.