'Noughts + Crosses' Set For September 4 Debut

 

 

Timely and thought-provoking young adult drama series NOUGHTS + CROSSES is set to launch on Peacock on Friday, Sept. 4. This six-episode Peacock Original flips the racial power structure in an alternate world, following the love story of two star-crossed young adults who are divided by their color but united in their love for one another.   Adapted from the first book in celebrated British author Malorie Blackman’s award-winning breakthrough YA series, NOUGHTS + CROSSES  imagines an alternate universe in which history happened in racial reverse. In this world, Africa – or “Aprica” – invaded Europe centuries ago, enslaving its people. In present-day London, “Albion,” slavery is an institution of the past, but Jim Crow-esque segregation laws maintain the power dynamic: a ruling class of Black “Crosses” control the country’s politics, wealth and culture over an oppressed, impoverished underclass of white “Noughts” who are at the brink of revolt.  Against this backdrop, a forbidden love story unfolds.     In NOUGHTS + CROSSES, Callum McGregor (Jack Rowan) is a Nought, and Sephy Hadley (Masali Baduza) is a Cross and the daughter of a prominent politician. Destiny crosses their divergent paths, and they’re swept away in a romance that seems doomed from the start.      The series stars Jack Rowan, Masali Baduza, Jonathan Ajayi, Helen Baxendale, Paterson Joseph, Josh Dylan, Shaun Dingwall, Jonathan Ajayi, Kike Brimah, Rakie Ayola, Bonnie Mbuli and Ian Hart.   NOUGHTS + CROSSES is produced by Mammoth Screen, Participant and Roc Nation and is distributed internationally by ITV Studios. Lydia Adetunji writes alongside Nathaniel Price and Rachel Le-Lahay. The series is directed by Julian Holmes and Koby Adom and produced by Johann Knobel. Jeff Skoll and Miura Kite executive produce for Participant; Kibwe Tavares, Preethi Mavahalli and Damien Timmer executive produce for Mammoth Screen.