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Who’s in the cast of Noughts and Crosses and who plays the PM?

NOUGHTS and Crosses managed to bag a stellar cast including the likes of Patterson Joseph and Rakie Ayola.

We have a breakdown of the key members of the impressive cast bringing the beloved Malorie Blackman novel to life in the BBC show...

Noughts and Crosses has been adapted from Malorie Blackman's 2001 award-winning novel
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Noughts and Crosses has been adapted from Malorie Blackman's 2001 award-winning novelCredit: BBC

Who's in the Noughts and Crosses cast?

The new BBC drama sees a combination of new stars and established talent anchoring the show's politically charged storyline.

Here's who's in the line-up:

  • Jack Rowan
  • Masali Baduza
  • Bonnie Mbuli
  • Helen Baxendale
  • Ian Hart
  • Paterson Joseph
  • Jonathan Ajayi
  • Kike Brimah
  • Rakie Ayola
  • Stormzy
  • Shaun Dingwall
  • Eunice Olumide
  • Ore Oduba
  • Tuks Tad Lungu
  • Luke Bailey
  • Josh Dylan
  • Stevel Marc
  • Sam Baker-Jones

Rakie Ayola as Prime Minister Opal Folami

Rakie Ayola as Prime Minister Opal Folami
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Rakie Ayola plays Prime Minister Opal FolamiCredit: Getty - Contributor

Rakie is a Welsh actress who TV fans will recognise for her role as Kyla Tyson in Holby City.

She first rose to prominence in the lead role of the Great Moments in Aviation, before getting parts in shows like Soldier Soldier, EastEnders, Sea of Souls and Doctor Who.

Rakie has worked in theatre, film and television, appearing in a number of Shakespearean theatrical performances and as the role of Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

Paterson Joseph as Kamal Hadley

Peterson Joseph plays Home Secretary Kamal Hadley in the new BBC One drama series
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Paterson Joseph plays Home Secretary Kamal Hadley in the new BBC One drama seriesCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Paterson, 55, has a long list of roles in both film and television.

He is best known for appearing in shows such as Casualty, Peep Show, and Law & Order: UK.

The former chef has also starred in movies such as Greenfingers and The Other Man.

Jack Rowan as Callum McGregor

Jack Rowan stars as Callum McGregor in the new BBC One drama
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Jack Rowan stars as Callum McGregor in the new BBC One dramaCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Jack, 20, has already bagged roles in hit TV dramas, including Peaky Blinders and Born to Kill.

The actor has also appeared in Casualty and Beowulf.

Before finding fame, Jack was an amateur boxer and has a win record of 18 out of 27 fights.

Masali Baduza as Sephy Hadley

Masali Baduza is in the cast of Noughts and Crosses as Sephy
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Masali Baduza stars in the cast of Noughts and Crosses as SephyCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Masali is a South African actress who trained at the New York Film Academy.

She's had starring roles in television in South Africa and was named as a rising star by the Royal Television Society.

Ian Hart as Ryan McGregor

Ian Hart is part of the cast of Noughts and Crosses
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Ian Hart is part of the cast of Noughts and CrossesCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Ian, has been a regular in film and TV since the 1980s.

Among his most prominent roles is the 1983 mini series, One Summer, and 2001's Harry Potter And The Philosopher's Stone.

The actor also played the role of Kester Gill in My Mad Fat Diary.

Helen Baxendale as Maggie McGregor

Helen Baxendale stars as Maggie McGregor in Noughts and Crosses
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Helen Baxendale stars as Maggie McGregor in Noughts and CrossesCredit: BBC

Helen, 49, is famous for her role in ITV's Cold Feet - which she starred in from 1997 to 2003.

She also played the role of Ross's wife Emily on the hugely popular US sitcom, Friends.

A mother of three, she has been with her boyfriend, film producer and director, David L Williams since the 1990s.

Bonnie Mbuli as Jasmine Hadley

South African actress Bonnie Mbuli portrays Jasmine Hadley in Noughts and Crosses
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South African actress Bonnie Mbuli portrays Jasmine Hadley in Noughts and CrossesCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Bonnie Mbulia - also known as Bonnie Henna - is a South African actress and television presenter.

One of her most prominent roles was as Winnie Mandela in Clint Eastwood's film, Invictus.

She's set to star in US TV drama Vagrant Queen in 2020.

Jonathan Ajayi as Lekran Baako

Jonathan Ajayi stars as Lekan Baako on Noughts and Crosses
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Jonathan Ajayi stars as Lekan Baako on Noughts and CrossesCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Born in London, Jonathan studied at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.

He has appeared in theatre productions such as The Brothers Size, which earned him critical acclaim.

Jonathan is appearing in Wonder Woman 1984 in 2020.

Josh Dylan as Jude McGregor

Josh Dylan studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
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Josh Dylan studied at the Guildhall School of Music and DramaCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Josh, 26,  is best known for his roles in Allied and Mama Mia! Here We Go Again.

He trained at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has appeared in theatre productions such as Sheppey.

Stormzy as Kolawale

Stormzy stars as Kolawale in Noughts and Crosses
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Stormzy stars as Kolawale in Noughts and CrossesCredit: BBC

Brit award winner, Stormzy has taken a break from making music to trying his hand at acting in Noughts and Crosses.

Stormzy, 26, has achieved multiple number ones on the singles and albums charts with Gang Signs & Prayer and 2019's Heavy Is the Head.

His character in Noughts and Crosses does not appear in the novels but is said to be "significant".

When is Noughts and Crosses on TV?

Noughts And Crosses premiered on BBC One on March 5, 2020.

The drama airs WEEKLY on Thursdays at 9pm for six weeks.

However, all six episodes have now dropped on the .

What is Noughts and Crosses about?

The 2001 novel by Malorie Blackman takes us through a parallel 21st Century Britain - one where black people (Crosses) are the ruling race while white people (Noughts) are the lower class.

But in amongst a dystopian London - that is divided by issues of racial segregation - a love story develops between two lifelong friends Sephy and Callum.

Sephy, who is the daughter of the British Home Secretary Kamal Hadley, is not allowed to get too close to Callum McGregor - the son of her white nanny.

And despite an obvious connection, the only challenge preventing them from being with each other is their opposing races.

The pair later part ways with Callum soon mixing with the wrong crowd - a gang that want to use his connection to Sephy for a harrowing plot.

But can Sephy and Callum's love for each other help to achieve peace and bridge the gap between the black elite and the white lower class?

Trailer for brand new TV series Noughts + Crosses
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