Malorie Blackman says the TV version of ‘Noughts + Crosses’ has influenced the next book in the series.
The 58-year-old author has penned five novels and two novellas in the series and admitted while the next instalment will "definitely" be the last, she has also been inspired by the BBC adaptation of her own work.
She told RadioTimes.com: "This really is the last one. It’s called Endgame and I think, actually, [the TV series] has made a difference to it, but this is going to definitely be the last one."
Blackman’s first book of the series – which was published back in 2001 – has been adapted for the upcoming BBC One drama, which is starts on Thursday (05.03.20).
‘Noughts + Crosses’ is set in an alternate society, in which black "Cross" people rule over white "Noughts".
The thrilling love story in a dangerous, alternative universe will star Born to Kill’s Jack Rowan as Callum McGregor and newcomer Masali Baduza as Sephy Hadley.
Meanwhile, the author has heaped praise on the production team – who kept her involved and consulted with her throughout development – and said they did "an amazing job, an absolutely amazing job".
She also joked that reading the scripts and watching the show has made her wish she could edit her original books.
She teased: "I feel I’ve been totally included in that process, and there were so many times where I thought, ‘I wish I put that in my book, can I go back and put that in my book?’ "
‘Noughts + Crosses’ starts on BBC One at 9pm on Thursday (05.03.20) with all six episodes available on iPlayer after the first episode has broadcast.
Noughts + Crosses author Malorie Blackman inspired by BBC’s adaptation
