Peacock drops trailer for provocative YA drama ‘Noughts + Crosses’

The series ponders what would happen if Africa colonized Europe

Aug 25, 2020

NBC Universal’s new streaming service, Peacock, just unveiled the first official trailer for its provocative YA drama, Noughts & Crosses, and we can’t wait to dive into this tale of star-crossed lovers in an alternate world.

Directed by Julian Holmes and Koby Adom, the series is comprised of six, hour-long episodes starring 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.

Here’s the synopsis:

Adapted from the first book in celebrated British author Malorie Blackman’s award-winning breakthrough YA series, 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. Noughts + Crosses is produced by Mammoth Screen, executive produced by Participant and Roc Nation and is distributed internationally by ITV Studios.

The six-episode series is due out September 4 on Peacock.

Check out the first official trailer:

Peacock is the latest new streaming service attempting to capture audiences with new content coupled with popular titles that have been around for years.

Some of the upcoming content viewers can expect to see in September includes several original films, like The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show and Black Boys, which is written and directed by Sonia Lowman.

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