Presenter and Loose Women star Judi Love and actor, rapper and comedian Michael Dapaah have joined the cast of the highly anticipated of Noughts + Crosses series two.

Fans of the TV series based on Malorie Blackman’s bestselling novels will be pleased to learn that Noughts + Crosses series two will begin later this spring.

Viewers will be able to dive straight back into the dangerous, alternate world and characters created by Malorie Blackman and the expectation is that this series will bring the iconic, forbidden love story between Sephy (Masali Baduza) and Callum (Jack Rowan) to its epic conclusion.

Noughts + Crosses BBC TV series gets green light for a second series

Bringing their star power to the already strong cast of Noughts + Crosses are Michael Dapaah, who will play Mensah, a powerful and well-known TV personality whose influence stretches far across Albion. Mensah has a fractious relationship with his onscreen co-host, Chidi Abara, played by presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star Judi Love.

Michael Dapaah says: “Joining the series was a honour, especially because of how renowned Malorie Blackman’s novels are and what they represent. I enjoyed watching season one and I’m a fan of director Koby Adom’s previous work. For me it was time to properly enter the world of acting and this was a great introduction for me. I wanted to show people and myself that I can play a role which isn’t so heavily comedic and can do so much more, and I found this character Mensah really entertaining, which is always a bonus.”

“I have never seen a world like this” Noughts + Crosses star Bonnie Mbuli

As part of promotions for the upcoming series, which was filmed in South Africa and the UK, new images of Michael and Judi can be seen in character for the first time alongside returning cast members Masali Baduza, Jack Rowan, Helen Baxendale, Paterson Joseph, Bonnie Mbuli, Jonathan Ajayi, Josh Dylan and Kiké Brimah, plus Noughts + Crosses newcomer Jasmine Jobson (Top Boy) as Cara.

Also joining the cast for series two are Mayuri Naidu (High Rollers, Muvhango) as Shashi Bandara MP and Morgan Watkins (A Very English Scandal, King Gary). It’s particularly good to see Nollywood heavyweight Iretiola Doyle (Tinsel, Madam President) take on the role of Empress of Aprica.

Noughts + Crosses series two was written by Lydia Adetunji and Jerome Bucchan-Nelson; directed by Koby Adom and produced by Sarah Lewis.

Noughts + Crosses series two will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in spring 2022.

Watch series one on BBC iPlayer now.