Jump to content

Noughts + Crosses (BBC)


LondonScribe

Recommended Posts

  • Members

After a commission by the BBC four years ago, lots of planning, delays and false starts (following on from a limited-run play and an abandoned attempt at a film), a 6-part TV series, based on a trilogy of famous books by author Malorie Blackman, began broadcast this week. The whole of series one is now up in the BBC iPlayer. I say trilogy, because a 4th book was released last year, inspired by Brexit.

 

I don’t know how the initial books were received in America, but it can’t be overstated the impact and significance of the books in the U.K early to mid 00’s.

 

Though aimed at teenagers and young adults, the themes are universal and presented controversially.

 

The ‘controversy’ (certainly observed by the right-wing press since the 1st book in 2001) is the fact the books are set in an alternative reality where the ruling ‘Crosses’ are black, and maligned, racially abused, segregated and targeted ‘Noughts’ are white. There’s violence, corruption, political intrigue and ultimately love, where childhood friends Sephy (a privileged and principled Cross, the daughter of a high profile politician) and Callum (son of Sephy’s family housekeeper) reconnect and bond in the midst of growing tension up and down the county.

 

Having watched just episode one so far, it’s visually beautiful and I can see the story from the book, but it has changed quite a bit from the source material, likely for maintaining the story.

 

Anyone else watched?

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 8
  • Created
  • Last Reply
  • Members

I liked it, and given the number of changes the TV series made from the 1st book, I was surprised by how much I did.

 

It has a stellar cast (Paterson Joseph is brilliant as Home Secretary Kamal Hadley) and is visually beautiful. 
 

The storytelling won’t reinvent the wheel, but for me, it’s the whole experience.

 

However, I’m not 100% certain it will sustain enough viewers to guarantee it a second series.

 

The whole series is on the BBC iPlayer now, though 1 episode a week will be shown on BBC1 in the U.K.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Members

I’d say it’s reasonably fast paced but can stand still when it needs to.

It’s certainly escapist in setting, but the set-up/overarching theme is very topical.

 

I’d certainly say watch it if you can, so you can all make your own determination

Please register in order to view this content

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.



  • Recent Posts

    • I know this isn’t a usual or anywhere near universal take, but I loved the relatively brief Hal/Emily relationship/marriage more than I ever thought I would have with KMH/BH.
    • In my field (not that) I've written my share of dreck when it's what people wanted vs. something good. In the end what matters is the check. These pilots may not be great, but whether or not those writers intended otherwise they got paid.
    • I think there is plenty to critique and/or roast about the show, but I think there's also good bones and a lot of progressive improvement. It's the Bell/B&B formula and house style that is hardest for it to shake and the most necessary IMO, as well as some dead weight actors or characters, but that formula also apparently works for a lot of general viewers and I suspect CBS. OTOH it's also very modern in certain ways (sometimes overly hip dialogue, and some story) that still make it feel like a show that's bouncing between distant past staples of soap opera fundamentals and the present moment. And the old fashioned product placement is fun but also so goofy, while material like June is hysterical. Imagine leading with 'the underpass is where I live, and I like it there!' It's an unusual show in that way, because its identity and tone is still not fully formed. You don't know what it'll be. But that's normal at this juncture. The closest thing to a glimpse of the future foundation, I think (besides the obvious core family setup that's been there since Day 1), is the rivalry and future familial bond - and likely love/hate relationship - between Kat and Eva. A la many central sisters or siblings throughout soap history.
    • I loved Kelley Menighan! She was an MVP, especially during the show’s last few years. I always looked forward to anything she did with MM, BH, CZ, MW,  and the two grownup Alisons. Wasn’t a big fan of her with RH’s Paul. I always admired how she balanced being a vixen and being neurotic.
    • LLC can be a lot (lady definitely doesn’t phone it in), but her scenes with Rena made me wish they played actual sisters on a better platform.  Aside from JE, who is a legend so it’s no surprise when she’s excellent, Amanda Setton is my MVP of this story and she hasn’t always been great in this role. You see so much happening in her face as she’s navigating the shifts and layers of this story. She’s fully locked in. Glad Rory Gibson is getting his due on GH. I knew he had more to give than what Y&R was giving him. The writing will be a factor here as well because the character of Michael hasn’t been written well in ages (if ever, arguably). GH just can’t sustain the good stuff for more than a few weeks. Alexa Havins is a very good actress and was widely embraced as Lulu initially, but the character’s one-note abrasiveness has a lot of folks wishing she was gone at this point. 
    • It's pilots like "Hurricane Sam" and "Anything for Love" that makes me so afraid to write professionally, because, my God, what if I actually tried and came up with something just as awful, if not worse (if that's even possible)?
    • JANUARY 1974 SPECIALS ADDED... Here are the January 1974 specials which have been added to the yearly list on page 76:

      Please register in order to view this content

       
    • Wow, you have the patience of a saint watching through this period. I think the show does get better but it takes a while.  I won't give any spoilers about Zachary, but I will drop a slight hint: GL was probably trying to get a ratings boost by doing a story inspired by one of CBS's few primetime hits in the mid-1990s. And no, Zachary does not turn out to be a Texas ranger. 
    • Love makes everything possible.

      Please register in order to view this content

    • Please register in order to view this content

         
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy