Noughts + Crosses
A reverse-race love story in an alternative history.
In this alternate-history drama, black "Cross" people hold power over white "Noughts". The show is based on Malorie Blackman's novel series. Its first episode aired on BBC One on 5 March 2020, with the rest of the series released on BBC iPlayer that same day. A second series was later commissioned in May 2021.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Alternative history; Drama
- Based on
- Noughts & Crosses, Malorie Blackman
- Writer
- Lydia Adetunji
- Nathaniel Price
- Rachel De-lahay
- Benji Walters
- Jerome Bucchan-Nelson
- Director
- Julian Holmes
- Koby Adom
- Kibwe Tavares
- Starring
- Jack Rowan; Masali Baduza
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Language
- English
- Series
- 2
Facts from the source article.
Setting
The series takes place in present-day London in an alternative history where, 700 years prior, nations in present West Africa formed the African Empire and colonised Europe. After the Great World War, Europe is split between African factions: mainland Europe is under the Malian Empire and the Moors, while Albion (Great Britain and Ireland) and parts of Scandinavia remain under the African Empire. Russia and the Balkans are in active conflict with the colonisers, their borders pushed back. The Ottoman Empire still controls parts of the Middle East. As of 1950, racial segregation is rigidly enforced between wealthy African descendants (Crosses) and poorer native Europeans (Noughts).
Production
The BBC first announced the adaptation in 2016, with Levi David Addai and Matthew Graham attached to write. They later stepped down, and Toby Whithouse took over in 2018. Roc Nation, Jay Z’s company, and Participant Media co-produced. Jack Rowan and Masali Baduza were cast as Callum and Sephy in November 2018, with filming starting that same month in South Africa. A second series was ordered on 18 May 2021.
Distribution
In New Zealand, the series streams on TVNZ On Demand. In Australia, it first aired on BBC First in September 2020 and is also distributed by Foxtel; it premiered on ABC Television in November 2021 and became available on ABC iview. The series was added to Peacock in the United States in September 2020. It streams on SonyLIV in India and on HBO GO in Hungary.
Reception
The Guardian's Josh Lee gave the first series four out of five stars, calling it a "reverse-race love story that is vital viewing" and praising its depiction of racism in a world of African supremacy. The Guardian's Jack Seale gave the second series two out of five stars, noting that the show's aim to be "a chilling fable, a talking point, a shaming call to action" was undercut by confused priorities as an adaptation, airing late and featuring too much swearing, violence and politics for a young audience while perhaps not being brutal enough for an adult saga.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes of Noughts + Crosses are there?
Noughts + Crosses has 10 episodes across 2 seasons.
When did Noughts + Crosses end?
Noughts + Crosses last aired on 17 May 2022.
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