Watch the First Trailer for the BBC Adaptation of 'Noughts and Crosses'
The first look at the BBC's upcoming adaptation of Marjorie Blackman's award-winning book series Noughts + Crosses is here and from what we can tell it's going to be a uniquely intriguing production, that's totally unlike most science fiction currently on-air.
The series, which takes its title from the first novel in Blackman's five-book saga, is set in an alternate world where racism divides society. Sephy Hadley is a "Cross", a member of the black ruling class and daughter of a prominent politician. Callum McGregor is a "Nought," a member of the white underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood, but their relationship grows ever more complicated as they come of age and their two families become increasingly separated by power and prejudice.
Because, naturally, noughts and crosses are never meant to be together, romantically speaking. They certainly aren't allowed to fall in love. Set against a background of civic unrest and powerful rebellion mounting on the streets, Sephy and Callum's passionate romance will lead them both into terrible danger.
The six-part series stars Jack Rowan and Masali Baduza as Callum and Sephy, respectively, and they'll be joined by an all-star ensemble that includes Paterson Joseph, Bonnie Mbuli, Kike Brimah, Helen Baxendale, Ian Hart, Josh Dylan, Shaun Dingwall, Jonathan Ajayi and Rakie Ayola. Being Human's Toby Whithouse penned the series and also serves as one of Noughts + Crosses's executive producers.
If the trailer is anything to go by, the story promises plenty of dystopian drama, as well as romance and social commentary.
Noughts + Crosses is currently set to air in the U.K. this March. As yet it doesn't have an American distributor - a shocking fact if you ask me, particularly given how critically acclaimed Blackman is as an author and writer. (She even penned an episode of Doctor Who last year!) But, hope springs eternal I suppose. It feels like a great fit for a streaming service like Netflix or a prestige outlet like HBO, but I suppose we'll have to wait and see how this all shakes out.
Have you read the Noughts + Crosses books? What do you think of the look of this adaptation? Worth the wait? Let's discuss in the comments.
