Noughts + Crosses is a British drama television series based on the first book in the Noughts & Crosses novel series by Malorie Blackman. The series is set in an alternate history where black "Cross" people rule over white "Noughts". The first episode aired on BBC One on 5 March 2020, and the remaining episodes premiered on BBC iPlayer on the same day.
Synopsis
The BBC synopsis reads: "Against a background of prejudice, distrust and powerful rebellion mounting on the streets, a passionate romance builds between Sephy and Callum which will lead them both into terrible danger".
Setting
The series takes place in a present dayLondon in an alternate history where 700 years prior several nations in West Africa combined to form the powerful Aprican Empire, and went on to colonise Europe. After a conflict known as the Great World War, control of Europe is split between different African factions, with mainland Europe under control of the Malian Empire and the Moors, whereas Albion and parts of Scandinavia remain under the thumb of the Aprican Empire. Russia and The Balkans remain in active conflict with the African colonisers, although since the Great World War their national borders have been pushed back. The Ottoman Empire also exists, controlling parts of East Africa. Albion appears to be a self-governing colony with its own Prime Minister and executive leadership, but is still accountable to the Aprican Empire based on the continent. As of 1950, segregation is rigidly enforced in the colony between those of wealthy African descent and the poorer native white Europeans.
Ore Oduba as Obiora Akintola, a news anchor for CAN
Episodes
Production
In 2016, the BBC announced they were producing an adaptation, to be written by Levi David Addai and Matthew Graham. They had to bow out and Toby Whithouse took over in 2018. Jay Z's company Roc Nation and Participant Media co-produced the series. In November 2018, it was announced Jack Rowan and Masali Baduza were cast as Callum McGregor and Sephy Hadley respectively. Filming for the series began in November 2018 in South Africa.
Distribution
In New Zealand, the series is available on the free streaming service TVNZ On Demand, while Foxtel distributes the series on their platform in Australia.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack, titled Noughts + Crosses: The Soundtrack, was released on BBC Sounds on 10 February 2020, without track one being available.
Reception
The GuardianJosh Lee gave the television series four out of five stars, describing it as a "reverse-race love story that is vital viewing." Lee praised the series for highlighting the challenges that working-class white people and people of colour share in the real world through its depiction of reverse racism in an alternate world dominated by African supremacy.
