Stormzy Snags His First TV Lead Role in BBC Drama 'Noughts & Crosses'

Stormzy has landed a lead role in a drama developed by BBC and Roc Nation, Varietyreports.

He's set to play Kolawale in Noughts & Crosses, an adaptation of novels from Bajan-British author Malorie Blackman. His character is a newspaper editor and was created solely for the TV series.

The novels and this series are set in a world where the Crosses, the black ruling class, have suppressed the Noughts, the white population facing discrimination and prejudice. "It follows two young people, Sephy and Callum, who are divided by their color but united by a sense of injustice," Variety explains. Sephy is a Cross and the daughter of a wealthy government worker, while Callum, her undercover friend, is a Nought whose mother was Sephy's former nanny. Both of their lives are then impacted by the establishment of the Liberation Militia, a terrorist group committed to ending Cross supremacy, British Vogueadds.

"As a diehard fan of Malorie's novels, being a part of this important show is a dream come true," Stormzy says in a statement.

Stormzy will star alongside Jack Rowan (Callum), South African newcomer Masali Baduza (Sephy), Helen Baxendale, Paterson Joseph and Ian Hart.

"As an icon of black British culture, we are honored to have Stormzy play a part in this adaptation of a novel he's such a fan of," executive producer Preethi Mavahalli says.

Mammoth Screen is producing the show for the BBC, with Roc Nation and Participant Media on as executive producers. ITV Studios have come on board to distribute the series internationally.