Airdate: Noughts + Crosses

2020 UK drama Noughts + Crosses premieres tonight on ABC.

In a dystopian London, Sephy and Callum fall in love despite the odds. Can they breach the divide between the black elite and white underclass?

Based on Malorie Blackman’s novels the six-part series is written by Lydia Adetunji (Riviera), Nathaniel Price (Tin Star) and Rachel De-Lahay (Kiri).

The cast features Jack Rowan (Peaky Blinders, Born To Kill) as Callum McGregor, and newcomer Masali Baduza as Sephy Hadley.

It has been renewed for a second season.

Over 700 years ago the Aprican Empire invaded Europe. Aprica colonised the continent and reached as far as Albion. Albion has been under Aprican rule ever since.

Noughts + Crosses follows two young people, Sephy and Callum, who are divided by their colour but united by love. Sephy is a Cross, a member of the black ruling class and daughter of a prominent politician. Callum is a Nought, a white member of the underclass. The two have been friends since early childhood, but their relationship grows ever more complicated as they come of age. It’s the story of two families separated by power and prejudice but forever entwined by fate.

Paterson Joseph (Timeless, Peep Show) plays Sephy’s father, Home Secretary Kamal Hadley. Bonnie Mbuli (Invictus, Wallander) plays her mother Jasmine, and her sister Minerva is played by Kike Brimah (Love Type D). Helen Baxendale (Cold Feet, Cuckoo) and Ian Hart (The Last Kingdom, The Secret Agent) play Callum’s parents Meggie and Ryan, and Josh Dylan (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, The Little Stranger) plays his older brother Jude.

Shaun Dingwall (Goodbye Christopher Robin, The Long Firm) is Liberation Militia leader Dorn. The cast also features Jonathan Ajayi, Rakie Ayola (Harry Potter And The Cursed Child, No Offence) and British musician Stormzy as newspaper editor Kolawale.

9:35pm tonight on ABC.