Noughts + Crosses starts Thursday 5 March on BBC One

What did it mean to you to be involved in a show that is shining a light on racial politics?
Prior to reading Malorie’s books I had never heard of a world that existed where Africans were the ruling class. It was unique and it made me feel warm inside, to imagine a world where this could be a possibility.

As an African telling this story I feel like this is the type of discussion that needs to be had, in terms of allowing young people like myself to see themselves on screen depicted in this way. In the past, African culture hasn’t been as respected or honoured in the way this drama displays. I feel so proud to be a part of something where African culture is put on a pedestal.

It is incredible to have the opportunity to experience this and share it, to have young black children all over the world see themselves in a light I don’t think they have ever seen represented on TV before. It is exciting to be a part of this form of black pride.

Tell us about Sephy’s beautiful costumes. 
When you get your costume it takes the character development to a whole different level. For me the moment that stood out was when Sephy was wearing this beautiful dress for her mother’s birthday party. The earrings, necklace and hair were so unapologetically African that it made me feel like a princess.

I hope this will help young girls view themselves as beautiful while having an afro and wearing vibrant colours and interesting costumes that make you feel proud of your culture. Not having a weave or straight hair but just embracing the natural hair that grows out of black people’s heads was especially cool.

What drew you to the role, and what is Sephy’s relationship like with her family?
What attracted me to Sephy was that she is very ambitious, headstrong and knows what she wants which she definitely gets from her father, Kamal (Paterson Joseph). They are very similar in the sense that they are intelligent and can be calculating - a characteristic Sephy takes on after finding out the truth of who her father really is.

Having idolised her father as a young girl, Sephy learns what kind of human being he is and the illusion is shattered and their relationship starts to disintegrate.

Her relationship with her mother, Jasmine (Bonnie Mbuli), starts off very superficial and surface level because she can’t connect with her, but all of the hardships they experience individually bring them together and they have a common tie of wanting to help and do better.

The difference between Kamal’s relationship with Sephy and Jasmine’s is communication. Jasmine and Sephy begin to communicate and be honest with each other, and it allows for them to have a relationship that grows into a mother-daughter bond, but also allows them to see each other as people and understand each other on a more human level.

With her sister Minerva (Kiké Brimah) it is the tale of two sisters who are complete opposites yet they share the same DNA. They see the world differently: Sephy questions everything around her, whereas Minerva is completely content with living in this world and doesn’t see a problem with the oppressive ways of the Crosses. They are typical sisters and they love each other, but as people they are not friends.

At the heart of this drama is the epic love story between Sephy and Callum McGregor (Jack Rowan), a member of the oppressed white race, the Noughts. Tell us about heir turbulent relationship and what it was like creating this on screen with Jack.
Both Sephy and Callum are isolated in their own separate worlds and don’t feel like they belong. Sephy is an island, even in her household, and she feels like she is moving separately to everyone. She questions more and is more aware of the way things work, and she is not satisfied with the oppression that her people impose on others. Callum makes her view the world differently and gives her a different perspective on life, and they are drawn together because they want to fight the system.

What I really liked about the relationship is how innocent it is in this world where everything seems to be set up against them. It is always beautiful to see the message relayed that whatever world you are in and however hard your circumstances may be, when you feel like the world is against you there is always that bit of hope - and their relationship represents that. They are very brave to want to be together as their relationship is illegal. It is inspiring to see how courageous they are and how their love is able to overcome such dangerous obstacles and difficult struggles.

I first met Jack during the 'chemistry' read through, and for me everything felt natural and easy, there wasn’t a reach for anything. He is so brilliant, every scene I do with him there is always something I can learn from him. He has mastered how to be still and he really invites the camera into his mind. I love working with him as he makes everything fun and his work is always rooted in something honest.

Are you looking forward to people watching the show?
I'm excited for audiences to see the different perspectives of race from the opposite race. I am also excited for black people to see their culture so honoured and celebrated. I am excited for white people to see white privilege through a different medium and I think people will learn a lot from this show, it is very educational. It might kick start a conversation about racism that comes from a place of trying to see things from someone else’s perspective.