Michaela Coel Sets ‘I May Destroy You’ Follow-Up at HBO, BBC

As a fan, I am beyond thrilled about Michaela Coel‘s upcoming series, “First Day on Earth.” Her unique storytelling and profound exploration of complex themes resonated deeply with me in “I May Destroy You,” and I have no doubt that this new project will continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

Michaela Coel, the creator, director, and lead actress of I May Destroy You, will be collaborating again with HBO and the BBC for her upcoming project.

Two production companies will collaborate on the creation of “First Day on Earth,” a series that Michaela Coel wrote, acts in, and stars as Henri – a British writer character, who goes to work on a movie set in Ghana, his parents’ native country. The companies, Various Artists Limited (which includes “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong among its executives and produced “I May Destroy You”) and A24, are also involved in this upcoming series.

“Overjoyed to collaborate once more with VAL, HBO, BBC, and now A24 too – what a team! Their collective skill, passion, and dedication make me confident that our series is in capable hands. I’m eagerly looking forward to sharing another deeply personal tale, First Day on Earth, with audiences worldwide. Join Henri as she embarks on her unique journey, I can hardly wait!” (Gamer’s perspective)

The storyline for this series goes like this: British author Henri (Coel) finds herself in a rut. Her work has stagnated, and her relationship is unfulfilling. However, when an opportunity to work on a film in Ghana, West Africa – a land of her roots, where her distant father resides – presents itself, she jumps at the chance to rekindle relationships and explore her heritage. Yet, upon arrival, neither the job nor her father match her expectations, and Henri encounters challenges involving danger and hypocrisy. She forges new connections, discards old illusions, and embarks on a journey to build a fresh identity – one that could fortify her, but might also shatter her.

2020 saw I May Destroy You as a highly praised television series. It earned Coel an Emmy for outstanding writing in a limited series, along with BAFTA TV honors for best miniseries. Since then, First Day on Earth marks her first series project as creator.

“Amy Gravitt, executive vice president of comedy programming at HBO and Max, expressed her excitement about continuing the discussion started with ‘I May Destroy You‘ alongside our valued partners at VAL, A24, and the BBC. Michaela’s words have a unique power to take readers on a journey like no other, she added. ‘First Day on Earth,’ with Henri as our guide, is both poetic and raw in its exploration of the concept of home, delving deeply into this idea,” said Amy Gravitt.

Speaking about this, Lindsay Salt, head of BBC Drama, stated, “Michaela is an extraordinary artist whose work has always captivated me. The show I May Destroy You enticed me to join the BBC! In her latest creation, First Day on Earth, Michaela has fashioned another must-watch series – unique, heartfelt, humorously engaging, and poetically told in a way that only she can. I am eager for everyone to witness it.”

Coel is penning the project titled “First Day on Earth,” and will serve as executive producer alongside Armstrong, Phil Clarke, Roberto Troni, Jo McClellan from the BBC, and Piers Wenger for A24. Filming is scheduled for 2025.

Clarks and Troni expressed great joy and gratitude for Michaela deciding to present her exceptional new production here, following our fantastic collaboration on “I May Destroy You”. Once more, Michaela offers a unique, one-of-a-kind narrative that delves into the connection between England and Ghana through the lens of a second-generation British-Ghanaian woman. Upon returning to her parents’ homeland, she encounters a host of memorable characters and experiences that compel her to confront hard truths about home. As always with Michaela, it is both surprising, humorous, and indelible, and she tells the story in her distinctive fashion.

2024-08-19 17:54

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