Michaela Coel’s new series brings together an all-star cast.
The following actors have been cast for the HBO/BBC co-production First Day on Earth, which was originally announced in August 2024: Thandiwe Newton (Anaconda, God of the Dead) as Anya. Starring Maxine Peake (“I Swear Nothing”) as Helen, Danny Sapani (“Halo”, “Harlots”) as Ernest, and Ncuti Gatwa (“Doctor Who”, “Sex”) as Darren.
The 10-episode series is currently in production and will mark Koel’s first series writing credit since his hit series I May Destroy debuted in 2020.
The official logline states:
“Henri (Coel), a British-Ghanaian novelist, continues to run away from herself, her life, her partner, and that strange man from Book Talk. When she arrives in her ancestral homeland of Ghana, she finds herself immersed in a completely different world. Amid new friends, fresh joys, and varied and nuanced relationships, Henri also discovers secrets, lies, difficulties, and denials, and begins to question everything about herself, her heritage, and her family.”
In addition to writing and starring, Coel also serves as executive producer and director of the show. Other executive producers include Sam Miller, Jesse Armstrong, Phil Clarke, Roberto Troni (Various Artists Limited) and Joe McClellan (BBC, A24). Johann Knobel will serve as producer and Miller will also direct. The series is co-produced by HBO and the BBC in association with A24 and is exclusive to Various Artists.
“I May Destroy You” became one of the most famous shows of the year as soon as it was released. Coel won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, and the show also won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Direction out of a total of nine nominations.
