Imagine a world where two people who love each other are not allowed to be together because of the colour of their skin. For South Africans, no imagination is needed - apartheid is still a not-so-distant memory.
But the concept - with a new twist - has entranced British television viewers who are raving about a new BBC series shot in SA.
Heading up the SA cast is East London-born actress Masali Baduza, 24, whose love for a white man in the series Noughts + Crosses hits some major hurdles. Veteran actress Bonnie Mbuli also plays a key role.
The story is set in an alternative society where white people are disadvantaged, facing oppression from a black ruling class following Africa's colonisation of Europe.
While at least one British TV critic has labelled it "less a TV show than a political statement" others have praised it, with British rapper Stormzy - who plays a small role in the series - saying it was "100% groundbreaking".
Baduza, who plays Sephy, told the Sunday Times this week that the story was a "challenging" one to tell due to the racial divide.
"For me, the most intense scenes were the ones with Jack [UK actor Jack Rowan], who plays her love interest, Callum. Callum and Sephy have to fight to be together in this dangerous world."
She said her main aim was to ensure she did justice to bringing Sephy to life.
"This is the first big TV or film role I've been part of. I was nervous and excited to bring Sephy to life. Once I had read the script and the books, I just knew this series was going to be so important and powerful for audiences all over.
"We had really great directors, and Jack was a lovely, lovely partner who always brought his A-game and gave me the absolute most to react from, so they helped me a lot when there were scenes I hadn't experienced personally.
"Going to America after high school was the beginning of my activism for equality because I became very conscious that I was black and African. Coming from a country where black people are the majority to the minority in LA, it was so jarring to be othered to that extreme."
Shot in Cape Town, the six-part series is an adaptation of Malorie Blackman's award-winning 2001 book of the same name, the first in a series
Shot in Cape Town, the six-part series is an adaptation of Malorie Blackman's award-winning 2001 book of the same name, the first in a series.
Mbuli plays Sephy's mother, Jasmine. She said the role had stretched her as an actress.
"Every chance I got on screen, I had to introduce another layer to her character so people get a well-rounded feel for her. Jasmine starts out in a privileged bubble.
She represents those people who don't mind what's going on as long as it doesn't impact them. This is because her immediate environment is uncomfortable; she's a broken woman going through emotional turmoil."
Mbuli said Sephy and Callum's love story would remind viewers of how much "we take for granted".
"It's a true Romeo and Juliet story. Because Noughts + Crosses is set in such a real, contemporary world, their relationship makes you realise how much we take for granted now.
Anyone can date anyone they want now, but there was a time when Sephy and Callum's love would have been illegal here ... that's heartbreaking."
Executive producer Preethi Mavahalli said they had gone through extensive auditions for the lead roles both in SA and the UK.
"Nobody quite had the right naive but caring princess quality that Masali could access. Once we put Masali and Jack together, the chemistry was perfect."
She also told Vogue magazine last week: "The point of the story is to turn white supremacy on its head and use African culture to explain what it's like to live in a world where the culture is predominantly white.
"It was bittersweet . but it was also the first time I've ever seen African culture be so bold and loud on TV, which was phenomenal."
The show is currently airing on DStv.
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