Masali Baduza, who plays lead character Sephy in Noughts + Crosses, has opened up on the impact the Black Lives Matter protests had on season 2 of the BBC drama.
The TV adaptation, based on the book of the same name by author Malorie Blackman, tells the tale of star-crossed lovers Sephy and Callum, played by Jack Rowan, in a society divided by Crosses – the ruling class who are dark-skinned – and Noughts – who are ‘colourless’ and used to be slaves.
In the first season of the show, it’s revealed that Callum and Sephy were childhood friends, as they reunite years later and fall in love, resulting in Sephy becoming pregnant and the pair conceiving a plan to run away together.
While speaking to Metro.co.uk and other press about the four upcoming new episodes, Masali – who’s set to star in The Woman King with Viola Davis, John Boyega and Lashana Lynch – spoke about the BLM protests that occurred across the world following the murder of George Floyd in March 2020.
‘I think personally, for me, they definitely did have an effect on my personal life in between filming both seasons,’ she said.
‘I think there was just a lot more sensitivity around the language used and I think that the importance of the show became even more because of what is going on, with regards to race relations.’
The actor added that she found it ‘promising to see that people are willing and able to do self-introspection and to really evaluate their contribution towards the society that we live in that can be racist’.
Masali expressed her hope that the second season of Noughts + Crosses will inspire people to keep ‘fighting for what you believe’, as Sephy and Callum try their best to evade the authorities while the public is still under the impression that Sephy – whose father is Home Secretary Kamal Hadley (Paterson Joseph) – has been kidnapped.
‘There’s been recent legislations and bills that have been passed around the world that feel like we’re almost regressing in terms of equality and inclusion,’ she remarked.
‘So if anything, I would hope that members of the audience would really be inspired to continue fighting, no matter how hard it is, no matter how many obstacles you face, just to fight for equality in all aspects.’
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Masali added that it was a ‘wonderful experience’ to show the series in her home country South Africa, saying it was ‘quite interesting filming this type of TV show in South Africa with the history that we have’.
‘I feel like a lot of the crew and staff are really proud to be a part of this production and really excited every day just to see themselves celebrated and that’s what I will never forget, just the importance of representation and seeing first hand how important that is for people,’ she stated.
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Noughts + Crosses season two launches on Tuesday April 26 at 10.40pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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