NBC Universal introduces Peacock, the newest streaming platform offering hundreds of your favorite movies, sports, News, and binge-worthy tv shows including the groundbreaking show, Noughts + Crosses.
The thought-provoking series originally debuted on BBC One on March 5, 2020, and now this September the U.S. will have our chance to be blown away.
Noughts + Crosses follows two young people, Sephy [Masali Baduza] and Callum [Jack Rowan] living in present-day London in an alternate history where seven hundred years prior, several nations in West Africa combined to form a powerful African Empire that colonizes Europe. As of 1950, segregation has been strictly enforced in the self-governing colony of Albion creating a divide between those of wealthy African descent, known as Crosses, and the poorer native White Europeans known as Noughts. Sephy, a member of the Black elite class, and Callum who is a part of the White underclass share a forbidden love despite the rigid laws put in place. Will love prevail or will the star-crossed lovers be torn apart by violence and hate?
“I’ve never seen anything that flipped the races like this and had Black people, African people in positions of power and I thought that was such a fresh take on race relations and to see it through that lens was really great,” states Baduza. The British television show is based off of the Noughts + Crosses novel series written by Malorie Blackman which highlights the challenges that working-class people of color face in the real world through its depiction of reverse racism. The alternate world dominated by African supremacy is rather shocking yet has a soft way of lulling you into the captivating story and before you know it, you come to realize it has a strong message regarding current societal issues. “It’s such a smart way of doing it and I’m really grateful to have been a part of this,” shares Bonnie Mbuli who plays Jasmine, the mother of Sephy.
The Knockturnal had an exclusive interview with the leading cast members including Jack Rowan, Masali Baduza, Helen Baxendale, and Bonnie Mbuli, be sure to check it out. Noughts + Crosses will premiere on Peacock on September 4 and the greatest part is, it’s free! It’s simple, just create an account and enjoy the plethora of documentaries, cartoons, and exclusive originals.