Who is Malorie Blackman? Noughts And Crosses author behind new BBC One drama
MALORIE Blackman’s race reversal novel Noughts And Crosses has hit the small screen.
But what do we know about the award-winning author?
Who is Malorie Blackman?
She was born in Clapham, London, in 1962, to parents from Barbados.
Malorie, 58, holds an HNC at Thames Polytechnic and is also a graduate of the National Film and Television School.
Before she achieved fame as an author, Malorie was a systems programmer.
She became a writer at the age of 28 with her first book, Not So Stupid, published in 1990.
In 2008, Malorie received an OBE for her services to children’s literature.
She has also won several awards during her career.
She was awarded the Red House Children’s Book Award for Noughts And Crosses in 2002, plus a Bafta for the TV adaptation of Pig Heart Boy.
She served as the Children’s Laureate from 2013 to 2015, having replaced Julia Donaldson.
What is she doing now?
Malorie’s highly popular 2001 novel, Noughts And Crosses, has been adapted for the small screen by the BBC.
She is credited with writing for unknown episodes of the adaptation.
Along with the production of her hit novel, Malorie is still writing books with her latest, Crossfire, released in 2019.
What are her famous books?
Malorie’s most recognised book is Noughts and Crosses, which received critical acclaim upon release.
It is the first in a series of five books which are:
- Noughts And Crosses (2001)
- Knife Edge (2004)
- Checkmate (2005)
- Double Cross (2008)
- Crossfire (2019)
Her 1995 children’s book, Thief, is one of the most popular books in her catalogue, telling the story of a girl who saves her father from being wrongly convicted of stealing from a bank.
Other books by Malorie include Tell Me No Lies, Jessica Strange, Pig Heart Boy, and Noble Conflict.
Who is her husband?
Malorie lives with her husband, Neil.
The couple have a daughter, Elizabeth, who was born in 1995.
When is Noughts and Crosses on TV?
Noughts and Crosses premiered on BBC One on March 5, 2020, at 9pm and continues weekly at the same time.
The BBC says the story follows two young people, Sephy and Callum.
Although the pair are divided by the colour of their skin, they are united by love.
The six part series has been highly anticipated and is based on Malorie Blackman’s novel of the same name.
The series stars Jack Rowan, Masali Baduza, Helen Baxendale and Ian Hart.
Rapper Stormzy is also expected to make an appearance in the series.