Michaela Coel is returning to television with a new series, “First Day on Earth,” and the project is quickly building a high-profile cast as production gets underway, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The HBO and BBC co-production will feature Thandiwe Newton and Ncuti Gatwa among its latest additions. They join Coel, who serves as creator, writer, co-director and star of the series, her first major TV project since the critically acclaimed “I May Destroy You.”
Newton is set to play a character named Anya, while Gatwa will portray Darren. Additional cast members include Maxine Peake as Helen and Danny Sapani as Ernest. HBO and the BBC have also announced a wider ensemble cast, though many character details remain under wraps.
The series follows Henri, a British-Ghanaian novelist played by Coel, who is navigating a personal and emotional crossroads. According to the official logline, Henri leaves her life in the U.K. and travels to Ghana, where she reconnects with her roots while confronting complex questions about identity, family, and belonging.
“First Day on Earth” continues Coel’s exploration of deeply personal and socially relevant themes, a hallmark of her previous work. Her last series, “I May Destroy You,” earned widespread acclaim and multiple awards, including Emmys and BAFTAs, for its bold storytelling and nuanced look at trauma and consent.
The new show is produced by Various Artists Limited, the same company behind Coel’s previous hit, in collaboration with HBO and the BBC, with A24 also attached as a production partner.
Coel will executive produce alongside Sam Miller and a team that includes industry figures from both the U.K. and U.S. television sectors. She is also set to direct episodes of the series, further cementing her creative control over the project.
While a release date has not yet been announced, “First Day on Earth” is already generating strong interest given Coel’s track record and the growing list of notable actors attached.
