By T. Jayani, JadeTimes News
Writer and actress Michaela Coel has unveiled her first television drama since the critically acclaimed "I May Destroy You" in 2020. The new project, First Day On Earth, is a 10 part series, which Coel will write, star in, and executive produce. Filming is set to begin next year.
The series centers on British novelist Henri, portrayed by Coel, who relocates to Ghana to reconnect with her estranged father. Jesse Armstrong, the creator of Succession, will join as one of the executive producers.
Coel expressed her excitement about the project, describing the creative process as an intimate experience and looking forward to sharing it with audiences. She referred to the show as a "wild odyssey" that viewers can join Henri on.
Coel gained prominence with her Channel 4 comedy Chewing Gum, which was adapted from her 2012 play. The series, which premiered three years later, earned her two BAFTA TV Awards for Best Breakthrough Talent and Best Female Comedy Performance.
Her follow up series, I May Destroy You, was even more successful, garnering an Emmy and five BAFTAs. Coel had previously made headlines for turning down a $1 million offer from Netflix for the series, opting for the BBC's offer, which provided her with greater creative control.
Since then, Coel has appeared in Marvel’s Black Panther, Wakanda Forever and Amazon's Mr & Mrs Smith. First Day On Earth will be co-produced by HBO and made by production company Various Artists Limited, in collaboration with the film studio A24.
