Noughts & Crosses: Series One REVIEW

In 2001, novelist Malorie Blackman published Noughts & Crosses, a widely successful dystopian tale of forbidden love - flipping history on its head and looking at racial and social prejudice through a different perspective. Set in a dangerous, alternate Britain where racism divides society in which a black ruling class wield power over the white underclass, while two star-crossed lovers, Sephy and Callum, connect across racial divides.

After the first book, four more books were published - Knife Edge, Checkmate, Double Cross and Crossfire (Blackman has confirmed that the sixth and final book Endgame is currently being written) - which spans across three generations of characters, all directly (or indirectly) affected by the consequences of Sephy and Callum’s relationship. Naturally, this series has the potential to be a long-running drama and as an avid fan of the books, this was a highly anticipated show for me.

However, after watching all six episodes on BBC IPlayer, I was sadly disappointed.

I will say the visual aspects and world-building of this production were stunning - I loved the influence of African culture that Albion was built on, as well as it giving beautiful costume and scenery, it highlights the racial divides in a way the books couldn’t. And I was overall happy with the cast, I was particularly impressed with Helen Baxendale and Ian Hart as Meggie and Ryan McGregor, Paterson Joseph as Kamal Hadley and Rakie Ayola as the Albion Prime Minister - these actors were brilliant in their respective roles.

So you may be wondering why I didn’t like the show if everything I’ve listed so far is positive... well, my issues with the show truly lies within the writing.

As a reader and screenwriter myself, I know that an adaptation can’t be a cut and dry interpretation of the book - things have to be changed, expanded on or combined to work within a film or television narrative. However, I couldn’t help but disagree with many of the creative changes that seemed to hinder the story rather than enhance it.

For starters, Sephy and Callum are older (roughly the age they are in the third act of the first novel) - this I do not have a problem with nor do I take issue with them starting episode one with them reunited after time apart. But Callum clearly states they hadn’t seen each other since they were ten and in one line of dialogue the foundation of their relationship was hastily built on screen to little effect. In the book, we actually watch Callum and Sephy age from childhood to adulthood, more specifically that loss of innocence and becoming more aware of the racial prejudice they face. Obviously, there is no way to delve into this without casting younger actors or having flashbacks, but couldn’t their time apart be more realistic? - for example Sephy’s studies or Callum’s military training could’ve caused them to drift apart, but we still get the sense they spent their formative years as teenagers together, which would’ve made the relationship and conflict far more believable. Also, the fact they didn’t recognise each other solidified that their relationship was rushed in the show without any hint of authentic emotional intimacy and history there.

The supporting characters were also a let down. With such rich characters to delve into from the books, I feel the writers on season one took the surface level of some characters with no real development (Jude and Kamal were far too sympathetic for the vile characters they are destined to become and Minerva was a shallow archetype compared to her much layered book counterpart) or completely rushed their arc entirely (Jasmine was played brilliantly acting wise, but her storyline was so rushed and it could have been so impactful to watch play out on screen across at least three seasons).

There were also characters that were added which served no purpose - Sephy’s boyfriend Lakan was just the jealous bad boy third wheel of a love triangle we’ve seen many, many times. With so much going on, the Sephy/Callum/Lakan angst was something that could’ve been cut entirely. Or characters that were totally omitted from the source material, like Callum’s sister - Lynette’s story had such potential and would’ve really delved into the trauma of Callum’s family.

Although this show had some great performances throughout the six episodes, there was a lot of on the nose dialogue/moments - mainly telling instead of showing what our characters were thinking or feeling.

However, the real disappointment came towards the ending of the finale. Everything was wrapped up a bit too nicely, it actually felt like a happily ever after - which anyone who has read the following books, knows that’s far from the case. What truly worries me is that it looked like they ended it as a safe conclusion, just in case. But by omitting the ending, they’re omitting the stakes for future seasons. Also if we’re looking at the plot of Knife Edge as a potential structure for series two, Sephy and Jude are nowhere near the dark psychological and emotional places they need to be and other key characters have either had bizarre redemption arcs or are have healed from their past traumas already. Only Meggie feels consistent in terms of characterisation.

A part of me genuinely, genuinely hopes that the BBC renew this for another season, as it has so much storytelling potential and we do absolutely need to see more diversity in front of and behind the camera. However, the writers need to approach future episodes with a subtlety that unfortunately this season didn’t deliver - overall, I felt that character and plot aspects were sacrificed to make this a bit more commercially appealing, but this is the type of show that should be taking risks in their storytelling.

Noughts and Crosses is currently airing on Thursdays at 9pm and available to stream on BBC IPlayer now.