BBC One has commissioned an adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s Young Adault novel Noughts and Crosses.

The story of first love in a dangerous, adrenalin-fuelled fictional dystopia will be adapted by Youngers co-creator Levi David Addai and Life on Mars co-creator Matthew Graham.

Produced by the makers of Poldark, Mammoth Screen, the TV series will be based on the first book in the Noughts And Crosses series, which has won the Red House Children’s Book Award and the Fantastic Fiction Award.

Malorie Blackman commented: “I am beyond thrilled that Noughts and Crosses will be dramatised by the BBC – it couldn’t have found a better home. Callum and Sephy seem to have meant a lot to readers over the years and I’m excited at the prospect of watching them on my TV!”

Writer Levi David Addai said: “I’m honoured to be trusted with bringing Malorie Blackman’s superb novel to a BBC One audience. It’s a powerful story drawing on themes of hope, love and identity, set in a brilliantly conceived world that makes us think again about our own.”

‎Executive producer Preethi Mavahalli added: “Noughts and Crosses is a thought-provoking, landmark work of contemporary British fiction. We’re immensely excited to be bringing this gripping story to life; Malorie’s book series has a huge fan base, and the themes of the book are more relevant than ever.”

Charlotte Moore, Director, BBC Content, said: “Noughts and Crosses is the definitive book for a young adult audience and the perfect fit for BBC One. Superb, high octane compulsive storytelling set within an alternative history that explores really relevant themes about race, privilege and how we treat each other.”

Buy the book on Amazon here.

The official synopsis reads: “Divided by their colour but united by forbidden love and burning injustice, Sephy and Callum are fighting for more than simply the right to be together, in a contemporary dystopian State where strict race laws make daily existence a matter of life and death.

“Sephy is a ‘Cross’, a member of the black ruling class and daughter of a prominent politician. Callum is a ‘Nought’, a white member of the underclass who were once slaves to the Crosses. The two have been friends since early childhood but that’s as far as it can go for Noughts and Crosses must never fall in love. Against a background of prejudice, distrust and powerful rebellion mounting on the streets, a passionate romance builds between Sephy and Callum which will lead them both into terrible danger.”

Are you looking forward to Noughts and Crosses? Let us know below…