Noughts + Crosses

This adaptation of the alternate-history YA series made big waves in 2020 with its contemporary soundtrack, bold afro-futurist designs and cool cameos (the legendary Stormzy shows up). The second series feels like a strangely sad and flaccid afterthought, reduced to only four episodes and clearly shot under restrictions so most scenes are tedious two-or-three person conversations in empty streets. The first series, although clunky at times, had some momentum and felt in comparison like a lost golden dream. The only real throughline here is the evergreen Paterson Joseph as the increasingly erratic and maniacal leader of Albion, pushing for independence to suit his own ends. There is some intriguing world-building here but sadly it seems like unfortunate circumstances and strange decisions have rather sunk the prospects of further visits to this dimension.

The story is over simplistic. Africa invaded Albion (England) 700 years ago, and whites are the oppressed and segregated. Throw in a mixed race love triangle with an aggressive bully. It's supposed to make you think, but is just a big cliche.

'Noughts + Crosses' is set in an imagined future where the prevelance of insitutitonal racism is somewhat more severe than it is at present, albeit less extreme than in, say Apartheid-era South Africa. The twist is that the story is set in a Britain that has been colonised by Africans. It's interesting to think about how African colonialism might have differed from the European form we actually had, but although the drama makes some nods in this direction, it's alternate history is insufficiently detailed to fully flesh-out a wholly different culture. Instead, the main purpose the swap serves is to force a contemparary white British audience to question our own assumptions about what is normal and natural. And there's nothing wrong with that, per se, but I found the programme rather obvious in its moral messaging, it's characters too embelematic to be cared about. One of the characters is even the Prime Minister, but the lack of detail in the policking we see is typical of the drama as a whole. To really tell a good story about racism (or indeed anything) in general, you need to have the confidence to tell a story in the particular; and that's what I didn't find here.

I was obsessed with the books growing up, I fell in love with the plot and how the story was told and how they used all the different perspectives. When I saw online they had the green light for a series I was excited.

I binged all 6 episodes on BBC iplayer back to back the weekend they were released. Whilst the show was amazing and addressed the issues well I do think it would be better as a stand alone drama rather than an adaptation of the series.

The show mostly focuses on the events of the latter half of the second book and the third. Where the cast were automatically aged up to 18/19 where the story on the first book focuses on their friendship and developing feelings as young teens. The third book which is what the series is mostly based on is a time jump where the social events is tearing them apart.

The time line of events in the show jumps around, which if they had stuck to the original order it may have been more gripping.

I stand by its an amazing show I just wish it was more true to the books.

A fantastic drama. Thought provoking and exciting. I'm a white guy who has no issue with seeing this alternate reality. We should never forget how we've treated others because of their race and how we continue to do so.

I do think people will find it uncomfortable to watch at times and it means it's highlighting something within. I especially love the subtle details they've written in. Fantastic. Brilliant.