21 February 2020
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.
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.
Where to stream Noughts + Crosses
Watch Noughts + Crosses online from 23:00 on 12 March 2020 – it’s coming express from M-Net.
Original African stories by local talent
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
Made in South Africa
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Made in South Africa
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Made in South Africa
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Thursday.
Made in South Africa
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
Made in South Africa
Cheta M
Cheta M explores the love story between Adanna and Nnanna, young lovers who battle the spiritual and political forces in their way. Stream now, with new episodes Wednesday to Friday.
Made in Nigeria
Youngins S1
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins, with three new episodes every week.
Made in South AfricaThe Roast of Minnie Dlamini: The roast everyone's been waiting on
Empini, coming soon
More Mzansi gold
Youngins Season 1 Episodes 34-36: The heist
After Khaya reveals that he saw underaged photos in the principal’s messages, he and his friends plot revenge in episodes 34-36 of Showmax Original Youngins.
Made in South Africa
Laugh Africa Presents: The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini
The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini unleashes the wrath on the media personality, which sees a star-studded line-up with comedy heavyweights Tumi Morake and Jason Goliath as Roast Masters.
Made in South Africa
The Mommy Club Season 2 Episode 10 recap: Getting to the bottom of it
In episode 10 of The Mommy Club S2, Hermajesty and Mrs Sande go head-to-head and Nozipho confides in Mrs Mops. New episodes land every Monday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa
The Real Housewives of Durban S4: Nonku and Slee’s friendship is dead and buried
In the finale episode of The Real Housewives of Durban S4, all is laid on the table at the ladies’ dinner. All episodes are now streaming on Showmax.