Noughts & Crosses
As Malorie Blackman’s classic Noughts & Crosses finally makes it to TV, Imani Cottrell asks how the adaptors captured the spirit of a much-loved book
The world turned upside down
T
he TV adaptation of Noughts and Crosses, the first novel in Malorie Blackman’s cult dystopian series for young adults, is one of the year’s most hotly anticipated new dramas. Airing this month on BBC One, the six-part series, made by Mammoth Screen, boasts an impressive cast, including Helen Baxendale, Ian Hart
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and Paterson Joseph, and a cameo from Stormzy, who plays newspaper editor Kolawale. Executive producer Preethi Mavahalli, whose credits include BBC Two’s NW, describes it as “an alternate-world show”, one in which white and black people are segregated, but the ruling class (the Crosses) is black and the white Noughts are subjugated. At the heart of the narrative are
childhood friends who become lovers, Sephy (Masali Baduza) and Callum (Jack Rowan). Sephy is a Cross and the daughter of a prominent politician. Callum is a Nought, whose mother used to work as a nanny for Sephy. When their friendship starts to change, the pair embark on a passionate but dangerous romance. Their bond is put to the test by the pervasive racism and violence.
