Noughts + Crosses (2020– ) User Reviews (124)

Very interesting but also mundane at the same time

[kemmysunshine · 7/10 · 10 March 2020]

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 :)

Nice concept, uninspired execution

[paul2001sw-1 · 6/10 · 11 April 2020]

'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.

Good as a stand-alone but not as an adaptation

[jodie-ward91 · 5/10 · 8 March 2020]

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.

Alternative history

[mezzaitaliana-89131 · 6/10 · 11 March 2020]

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.

Groundbreaking

[StevieBaby09 · 8/10 · 6 March 2020]

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.

I really enjoyed the first half - then it fell off a cliff.

[addresscanonlybe30letter · 6/10 · 1 November 2020]

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.

Too many lazy stereotypes

[antonyfoster · 3/10 · 21 July 2020]

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.

Incredible watch

[shan1234 · 10/10 · 5 March 2020]

BBC have done an amazing job, this show is accurate to the books, well cast and detailed. It makes you feel uncomfortable, as it should and really highlights the issues that are reversed in our own world. Attention to detail from architecture to fashion to music is brilliant. Would definitly reccomend

Well-done alternate dystopian history swapping racial injustices :-)

[stevebondi · 7/10 · 25 March 2022]

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.

This could have been done better.

[Whataloadof123 · 1/10 · 11 April 2020]

Sadly the opportunity was not taken to show what it's like to be colonised. The noughts walk around as if they equal to the crosses. Which shows this program to be nothing more than upstairs downstairs. What's lacking is the psychological impact of being colonised of believing that you are inferior as you have been taught that for several generations by the colonisers. This would have been apparent if these white actors have been in contact with any black cleaners or any black workers on location in South Africa. I know this as my black Africa granny treats my white husband as next to god. She really can't believe the likes of me could be married to a white man.

Fantastic adaptation.

[mrwilson-64313 · 9/10 · 6 March 2020]

I can't wait to see where this one goes. But after episode one I am definitely intrigued. So far they have successfully shown some of the not so hidden racism that lots of people would prefer to ignore.

Albion Ascendant

[owen-watts · 6/10 · 7 June 2022]

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.

Revised review

[pwinding · 3/10 · 13 March 2020]

Having seen all 6 episodes, I end up quite disappointed. It builds up only to end like any other teen/Young adult lovestory. Too bad really, as it held a good promise. "We'll just keep on running" - seriously?

Great concept, well executed

[Sovietzz · 6 March 2020]

Great story of a dystopian alternate reality , many similarities to apartheid south africa in here . As a white south africa growing up in apartheid, I saw so many similarities that I could relate to here. I find it odd that some reviewers on here give it a bad rating and then state that they just don't like the idea of the story and how offended they are by it, but then probably go off and are pretty happy to watch a show like "Man in the High castle" (an alternative reality where the Nazis rule the world). Clearly indicating their bias...

Very good!

[muamba_eats_toast · 7/10 · 9 June 2020]

Had me hooked from episode 1. The series didn't quite blow me away but it was very very good and they transitioned quite well from teen book to mainstream audience quite well. Hopefully they continue the rest of the books and give us the full story!

Very good adaptation

[mirka-glassova · 10/10 · 7 March 2020]

Very good adaptation based even better book. The visual of the series is just stunning. Casting is excellent. Well done BBC!

Started with a lot of promise...then it fell.....off a cliff

[mattman_spurs · 6/10 · 20 June 2020]

This started off so impressively. A thought provoking alternative reality. Made even more powerful by recent events in the real world. A great concept, bought to life imaginatively with a great set. After the first episode I was so excited to see where this went. But oh my word did it fall away! I found episodes 2-5 boring and slow. Took 4 hours to tell what they could have done in half that time. I felt there was something in the story but the amount of padding out made it a very tough watch. Then we get to the final episode, which is an okay climax, but it suddenly feels rushed - and zips through what could have been a tense heart moving ending. Really poorly choices structure to the episodes.

I also agree with the consensus on here re the cast. I can't say I felt as strongly about Sefi as some have on here, but agree she's not great. My biggest issue was how Ryan McGregor seems to 'change' in the space of 30 seconds from a loving, emotional character into an LM thug. I thought the actor was doing a good job of the character, but the 'change' felt uncomfortable and impossible to believe from the outset. And then there's Stormzy. I didn't know it was possible to look wooden when you have 2 lines to read - but he managed it....and then became the poster boy of the show!

Basically I think there's a good story in here and I'd like to read the books, but this is poorly done, with a frustrating episode structure and a weak cast. Gutting after such an interesting 1st episode.

No depth

[imdb-yorm · 2/10 · 20 August 2020]

I agree with the earlier comments about lack of depth. Read the synopsis and imagine how it is fleshed out --- and you've got it. Heavy handed moralising.

Superb adaptation

[leanne-elizabeth · 10/10 · 6 March 2020]

I've been waiting since I was a teenager to see this on screen. Malorie Blackman's books are outstanding and this really brought them to life. All of the people writing reviews and claiming that it's "PC rubbish" are clearly feeling defensive about the reality of race in this country. I'm excited to see if they create a series for each book! Bravo BBC!

Good but...

[stig_of_the_dump2 · 7/10 · 15 March 2020]

It probably doesn't help that I read the book in one day, the day before binge watching the tv series. Whilst still a great watch, visually stunning I felt it missed a lot of characterisation that was present in the book. The decision to leave out key characters such as Lynette and the drastic change to the ending to make it happy rather than the bleak book ending was a bit frustrating. Overall worth watching though.

Wow

[jonnie-31228 · 3/10 · 6 March 2020]

Can we trust any reviews these days? They either seem to be 10/10 or 1/10. Both of which are complete nonsense, no doubt driven by personal politics rather than honesty. It's a mediocre book, a slightly better TV adaptation, but the acting is wooden, the general story an unimaginative cliche. About par for the BBC. If you're zoning out in front of the TV, it's ok. Definitely not worth changing any plans for though.

Absolutely amazing!!

[iijessicaii · 10/10 · 3 April 2020]

This tv series was absolutely amazing to watch!! The acting, architecture, music and costume was executed perfectly and you could see it was thought through with care. The storyline adapted from the book kept you hooked throughout as the story developed. It was so emotional to watch especially the heart wrenching moments and was thought-provoking and eye-opening. I would highly recommend many to watch this as many lessons can be learnt and conversations can be started. This series was so refreshing to see on the BBC, I need another series!!!

Helen Baxendale

[marklaw-37806 · 6/10 · 12 March 2020]

Was very brave to wear that awful wig! At least, I hope it was a wig! (gulp)

Intriguing, yet ultimately flawed.

[bosporan · 3/10 · 27 April 2022]

An opportunity spurned. This is a fascinating premise and a chance to explore an important and challenging topic from a radically unusual viewpoint. Sadly it is distilled down to Romeo and Juliette in a caricature apartheid police state.

Some of the acting is acceptable, but the dialogue is drab and directionless making it impossible to identify with characters on either side of the tracks. To its credit, it does not fall into the trap of becoming preachy polemic and attempts to paint a picture without a pulpit - it is simply not very well done.

So woke I doubt there will be a second season...

[permaculture-45885 · 7 March 2020]

I'm a sci-fi fan, and I do my best to watch everything categorized as "sci-fi". So I watched Noughts + Crosses season 01 episode 01.

Holly molly... So imbécile and woke AF that it sets a new standard of the genre. I must admit I will net even bother to watch a second episode, so my review may be brief. Here is it :

Hans...