Noughts + Crosses

Firstly, the way the series set itself up was excellent, with scene setting and background to make the viewer understand that typical western race roles had been reversed through African conquest. However, the script-writers tried to shoehorn in too many lazy stereotypes that don't exist in the modern world. It would have made sense had this been set in 1900 London, as it would represent the equivalent reversal of 1900 colonialism. Set in the present day it felt like the writers were trying to make too many political points rather than a drama. Once one realises this it becomes more enjoyable, but it's so blatant that it spoils too many of the situations as they couldn't contain themselves. On a more positive note the main characters were well played, and the family dynamics of the two main parts also excellent.

A fantastic concept often let down by a somewhat clumsy and obvious storyline.

I love the concept and take great joy in the nuances and small details of the world. The adoption of African cultural dress and hair styles, the music, the ceremony, everything quintessentially English replaced by an alternative culture is so well done. The attention to detail is laudable........

......if only the characters and storyline weren't so hamfisted this would be a 10/10 show for me.

I guess the pedestrian nature of the actual plot is to do with the original text being aimed at young adults.

Back on a positive note though....anything that enrages the right wing, racists, Daily Mail readers, whining man-babies and angry man-boys has got to be worth supporting and this show certainly seems to have done just that.

Well done BBC :)

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.

Compelling characters in a terrifying situation that highlights the opposite terrifying situation still alive to a significant degree today :-( Shines an ugly light on racism, police brutality/bias, and segregation.

What an intriguing plot - a world where whites are the underclass. It's set in modern times, but without the civil rights movement. So there's an interesting mix of then and now issues, flipped on their head.

The characters are like-able and believable. Until they aren't. Characters are complicated. You can't just have them do whatever you want because you need it for the plot. These characters change so fundamentally from episode five to six, it really pulls you out of the story. This is a Dany-season-eight-of-Game-of-Thrones level change.

I did finish the season, may or may not continue, but the writing just didn't hold up to the end.