20 august 2024 : In Los Angeles, British actress Michaela Coel is once again collaborating with HBO and the BBC, four years after her successful limited series “I May Destroy You” garnered critical acclaim.
Coel has developed and stars in “First Day on Earth,” a ten-episode drama series co-produced by HBO and the BBC, as announced in a press release.
In this new production, the 36-year-old actress portrays British novelist Henri, who finds herself at a standstill as her career stagnates and her relationship falters.
When she receives an offer for a film project in Ghana, West Africa—her parents’ homeland, where her estranged father resides—she seizes the opportunity to reconnect with him and explore her cultural roots.
However, upon her arrival, neither the job nor her father meets her expectations, forcing Henri to confront danger and deceit, forge new friendships, relinquish her illusions, and redefine her identity—an evolution that may empower her but also risks her emotional well-being, according to the official synopsis.
Coel, recognized for her roles in films such as “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” has taken on the role of executive producer for this new series alongside Jesse Armstrong, Phil Clarke, and Roberto Troni for Various Artists Limited, in partnership with A24.
“‘First Day on Earth’ represents another deeply personal narrative for me, and I aspire to captivate audiences globally as they accompany Henri on her journey,” the actress expressed.
Amy Gravitt, Executive Vice President of HBO Programming and Head of HBO & Max Comedy Series, praised Coel for her unique ability to “transport the reader like no other.”
“I am excited to continue the dialogue that began with ‘I May Destroy You,’ in collaboration with our esteemed partners at VAL, A24, and the BBC. With Henri leading the way, ‘First Day on Earth’ is both lyrical and visceral in its exploration of the concept of home,” she remarked.
Lindsay Salt, the director of BBC Drama, expressed her enthusiasm by stating, “Michaela is one of those extraordinary talents. ‘I May Destroy You’ is a significant factor in my desire to join the BBC! In ‘First Day on Earth’, Michaela has crafted yet another must-see series—truly innovative, deeply moving, and infused with humor and poetic storytelling, delivered in a manner unique to Michaela. I eagerly anticipate the audience’s reaction to it.”
Michaela Coel not only created and wrote “I May Destroy You” but also portrayed the lead character, receiving widespread acclaim following its debut in June 2020. She was honored with an Emmy award for outstanding writing in a limited series for this work.
In the HBO series, which draws inspiration from her personal experiences, Coel plays Arabella, a young woman striving to reconstruct her life after recalling an incident of being drugged and raped at a local nightclub.