Renowned writer and actress Michaela Coel has unveiled her long-awaited return to the television drama scene, following the triumphant success of her 2020 award-sweeping masterpiece, I May Destroy You. With First Day On Earth, Coel embarks on an all-encompassing journey as not just the lead actress but also the writer and executive producer of this highly anticipated 10-episode BBC series, set to commence filming in the upcoming year.
The series delves into the heartwarming yet tumultuous tale of Henri, a British novelist played by Coel herself, who embarks on a soul-searching journey to Ghana to mend the frayed bonds with her estranged father. This transformative voyage promises to be a captivating odyssey, weaving together layers of family, identity, and self-discovery.
Adding further depth and credibility to the project, Jesse Armstrong, the visionary behind the critically acclaimed series Succession, joins forces with Coel as one of the executive producers, ensuring that First Day On Earth is poised to be a groundbreaking addition to the television landscape.
Speaking about the project, Coel expressed her heartfelt sentiments, "Crafting FDOE has been an exquisitely intimate endeavor, each step filled with profound emotions and creative sparkles. I am thrilled to embark on this next exhilarating chapter, eager to present this televisual treasure trove to anyone brave enough to embark on Henri's wild and wondrous odyssey alongside her!"
At the age of 36, Coel soared to stardom with her groundbreaking Channel 4 comedy, Chewing Gum, a television adaptation of her critically acclaimed 2012 play of the same title. This hilarious series, premiering three years after its theatrical inception, not only captivated audiences but also garnered Coel two prestigious Bafta TV Awards—one for Best Breakthrough Talent and another for Best Female Comedy Performance.
Her subsequent masterpiece, I May Destroy You, surpassed even those heights, accumulating an avalanche of accolades, including an esteemed Emmy and five additional Baftas, solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Notably, Coel famously turned down a million-dollar offer from Netflix for this series, prioritizing the creative autonomy that the BBC offered, a testament to her unwavering commitment to her artistic vision.
Since then, Coel's star has continued to rise, with notable appearances in Marvel Studios' epic Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the Amazon Prime Video series Mr. & Mrs. Smith. Now, the highly anticipated First Day On Earth, a collaboration between HBO and production powerhouse Various Artists Limited, in partnership with esteemed film studio A24, promises to be yet another landmark project that showcases Coel's unparalleled talent and creativity.
