Malorie Blackman's Noughts and Crosses set for TV adaptation

Malorie Blackman's novel was published in 2001

Malorie Blackman's young adult novel Noughts and Crosses is to be made into a BBC One drama series.

The adaptation will be based on the critically-acclaimed first book in the Noughts and Crosses series, set in a dystopian society where black people are the ruling class.

It tells the forbidden interracial love story between Sephy, a "Cross" and politician's daughter; and Callum, a "Nought" and member of the underclass.

The drama is expected to air next year.

'Diversity of modern Britain'

Blackman, who was the children's laureate from 2013-15, said she was "beyond thrilled" her book was being dramatised.

"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," she said.

The series is being produced by Mammoth Screen, the company behind hit BBC drama Poldark.

The commission was announced at the Edinburgh Television Festival by director of BBC Content Charlotte Moore as part of a new raft of programming designed to "reflect the diversity of modern Britain".

Also announced were three new original drama series and two factual programmes:

• Trust Me - about a nurse who loses her job for whistleblowing and then steals a friend's identity to start a new life as a senior doctor

• Bodyguard - following the royalty and specialist protection branch of the Met Police, written by Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio

• The Split - examining the fast-paced world of a female divorce lawyer, written by Bafta winner Abi Morgan

• Serengeti - filming the animals of the Serengeti acting out the natural dramas of their lives

• Stalkers - a look at the National Stalking Advocacy Service, who assist high risk victims of stalking