I can destroy you Michaela Coel is teaming up with HBO and BBC for her next drama series.
Coel writes and stars in First day on earth, a ten-part series that she describes as “another very personal story for me.”
It comes four years after I could destroy you on the WBD network and on British public broadcasting.
Coel plays British novelist Henri, who is stuck. Work has dried up, her relationship isn’t progressing. So when she’s offered a job on a film in Ghana, West Africa – her parents’ homeland, where her estranged father lives – she can’t resist the chance to reconnect with him and the country of her origins. But when she arrives, neither the job nor her father turn out as she expected, and soon Henri must contend with danger and hypocrisy, make new friends, give up her illusions, and develop a new sense of identity – one that may make her stronger, but could also break her.
The series comes from Various Artists, founded by Succession Jesse Armstrong, his Look Show Sam Bain and former Channel 4 commissioners Phil Clarke and Roberto Troni and A24.
Various Artists (VAL) produced I could destroy you and Coel has worked with A24 on the upcoming film Mother, Mary.
Coel will produce the series alongside Armstrong, Clarke and Troni, as well as Jo McClellan for the BBC and Piers Wenger for A24. Filming will begin next year.
Coel said: “I am delighted to be working with VAL, HBO and the BBC again and to be partnering with A24. With their combined taste, care and expertise, I feel our show is in good hands. First day on earth is another very personal story for me that I hope will captivate viewers around the world and I can’t wait for audiences to join Henri on her journey.”
Amy Gravitt, EVP, HBO & Max Comedy Programming, said: “Michaela’s words have the ability to captivate the reader like no other. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue the conversation that started with I could destroy youtogether with our close collaborators at VAL, A24 and the BBC. With Henri as our guide, First day on earth is as lyrical as it is emotional in its exploration of the idea of home. ”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: “Michaela is one of those extraordinary talents whose work I have long admired. I could destroy you is one of the reasons why I wanted to join the BBC. First day on earthMichaela has created another can’t-miss series – truly original, heartfelt, hilarious, poetic storytelling in a way that only Michaela can. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
