'Noughts + Crosses': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Peacock's alt-universe drama series

The show is going to 'flip the racial power structure in an alternate world and follow the love story of two star-crossed young adults who are divided by their color but united in their love for one another'
PUBLISHED AUG 26, 2020
(Peacock)
(Peacock)

Think Romeo and Juliet, but instead of family rivalry and dispute, this is a war on race where Africans colonized White people in an alternate universe. Such is the story of NBC's newly launched streaming portal Peacock's upcoming original 'Noughts + Crosses' arriving this September. Announced as a "timely and thought-provoking young adult drama series" the Peacock show is going to "flip the racial power structure in an alternate world and follow the love story of two star-crossed young adults who are divided by their color but united in their love for one another." Here's all you need to know about the upcoming series. 

Release date

Having initially arrived on the screen as a BBC drama, the streamer is adding the young adult series to its slate, rebranding it as an 'original'. 'Noughts + Crosses' drops with all six hour-long episodes on Friday, September 4, only on Peacock. 

Plot

According to the official synopsis offered by Peacock, '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."

(Peacock)

Cast

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. 

Creators

Adapted from the first book in celebrated British author Malorie Blackman’s award-winning breakthrough young adult series, 'Noughts + Crosses' is directed by Julian Holmes and Koby Adom, based on a script from Lydia Adetunji, Nathaniel Price and Rachel Le-Lahay. Produced by Johann Knobel and executive produced by Jeff Skoll and Miura Kite for Participant; and Kibwe Tavares, Preethi Mavahalli, and Damien Timmer executive produce for Mammoth Screen.

Trailer

The first official trailer for the series is out. In a very 'Les Miserables' meets 'Black Panther' atmosphere, we see the budding forbidden romance between two characters who couldn't be destined to be farther from each other. Check it out for yourself right here:



 

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