Stormzy is set to make his acting debut in BBC drama Noughts & Crosses in a role created especially for TV.
The grime artist will play newspaper editor Kolawale, who doesn’t appear in the books, in one episode of the drama.
Stormzy, 25, had previously hailed the author as his “childhood hero” and branded the book one of his “favourites of all time”.
The star said: “As a diehard fan of Malorie's novels, being a part of this important show is a dream come true."
Currently filming in South Africa, Noughts & Crosses – based on a book of the same name by Malorie Blackman – tells the love story of Sephy – a black ruling class Cross – and Callum, a Nought member of the white underclass.
The two lovers are divided by their colour but determined to make the most of their relationship, which has grown more and more complicated since they were first thrown together in childhood.
Peaky Blinders star Jack Rowan will play Callum McGregor while Masali Baduza, starring in her first big TV role, will play Sephy Hadley.
“The first time I met Stormzy he informed me he was a huge fan of my Noughts & Crosses series of books,” said Blackman of the most recent casting.
"I'm thrilled he will now be a part of the Noughts & Crosses TV production. It's so exciting!”
Executive producer Preethi Mavahalli said that she was “honoured” to have an “icon of black British culture” join the adaptation.
Blackman, a former Children’s Laureate, was one of a team of writers to join Doctor Who last year, helping showrunner Chris Chibnall to bring Jodie Whittaker’s first series to life.
The author’s episode was about Rosa Parks, a writing gig she described as a “dream come true” when the news was announced last August.
Noughts & Crosses will air on BBC One. A transmission date is yet to be announced.
