The new series Noughts and Crosses debuted on BBC One and we are delighted to have our very own talent from South Africa, Masali Baduza shining in a leading role.
The South African-born actress stars alongside BAFTA winner Jack Rowan, they play Sephy and Callum, two star-crossed at the intersection of the Black ruling class and the white underclass in a dystopian society divided by color; together, they face a world of violence, oppression, and loss. Sephy is the privileged daughter of the home secretary, Kamal Hadley, while Callum’s mother, Meggie, is the Hadleys’ housekeeper. While Sephy and Callum grew up together, they may as well have lived in different worlds.
Watch the trailer for Noughts and Crosses
This series is the adaptation of the first book in Malorie Blackman’s best-selling young adult novel series. Mixing between the two races is forbidden but when Callum, a nought, and Sephy, a cross, fall in love, their worldview is turned upside down in this Romeo and Juliet-esque tale.
Baduza’s professional acting role came in 2019, just three years after she graduated from the esteemed New York Film Academy. She was featured on MNet’s hit series, Trackers & also went on to star in the acclaimed film Bhai’s Cafe.
She is one of the most notable actresses to look out for in the future and more especially in Hollywood. The young adult series Noughts and Crosses debuted at number 1 across all channels in Britain & scored 82% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Such is the impact that her relatively new career has already had on popular culture that she has already been the subject of platforms like Vogue & Deadline, amongst others.
Prior to reading Malorie’s books, I had never heard of a world that existed where Africans were the ruling class. It was unique and it made me feel warm inside, to imagine a world where this could be a possibility.
– Masali Baduza
“I remember the first time I wore an afro at school, I was sent out of the class for being a troublemaker. It was this thing of black people being penalized for wearing their own natural hair. The celebration of African culture in myriad forms gives a different sensibility to what has been on TV before.”, says Baduza.
Baduza’s brilliant performance in the series sets a great tone as to where her career is headed to. We can’t wait to see her cast in very powerful roles and telling stories that portray us as Africans in such a great light. We also looking forward to seeing her take on a different range of characters as she grows to become one of the most celebrated artists in the world.
When it came to telling the story, Malorie knew what she wanted, “What I wanted to do was have the black people in my story, not as victims, but celebrating their own culture,” says Malorie Blackman.
Other stars on the series
Shot largely in Cape Town, the series also stars Paterson Joseph and South African veteran actress Bonnie Mbuli as Sephy’s parents, Kamal and Jasmine, with BAFTA nominee Helen Baxendale and Tribeca winner Ian Hart as Callum’s parents, as well as Josh Dylan as his brother Jude.
Watch Noughts + Crosses now streaming on Showmax.
