EMPIRE GAMES

THE MURDER OF TEENAGER STEPHEN Lawrence was the spark. Angered by watching a documentary on the case, YA author Malorie Blackman finally decided to tackle racial issues in her work. The result: Noughts + Crosses, set in a segregated Britain where – in a through-the-looking-glass inversion – black “Crosses” rule the roost and white “Noughts” are considered inferior.

In this alternate Albion, Nought slavery only ended 50 years ago; their education and career prospects remain stunted; and they’re still the subject of crude prejudices (“They smell funny, and eat peculiar foods”). Through the star-crossed love of privileged Cross Sephy – daughter of a powerful politician – and impoverished Nought Callum, Blackman’s book invited readers to look at racism, past and present, from an entirely different perspective.

Now, nearly two decades on, it’s been turned into a BBC One series – with an initial six-episode run – by Mammoth Screen, makers of The City & The City and . For executive producer Preethi Mavahalli, who optioned the rights eight years back, it’s clearly been a labour of love.