Emmy Award winner Michaela Coel is set to deliver a star-studded new drama for HBO and the BBC with her upcoming series ‘First Day On Earth.’ The project adds a lineup of new cast members, joining Coel, Thandiwe Newton, Maxine Peake, Danny Sapani, and Ncuti Gatwa in the exciting follow-up to her 2020 hit series ‘I May Destroy You.’
New additions include Bukky Bakray as Sunny, Rakie Ayola as Maame, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Steve, Adam Lundgren as Asger, Ray BLK as Jacqueline, Dan Skinner as Chris, Daniella Arthur-Kennedy as Gladys, Fisayo Akinade as Adekunle, Jameel Buari as Ronald, Sam Delich as Klubeck, and acclaimed singer Amaarae in her acting debut as Nana.
Additional cast members include Sister Deborah as Ama, Akofa Edjeani as Athena, Michael Owusu Addo as Sarkodie, Joselyn Dumas as Jessica, Roselyn Ngissah as Eresi, Godwin Namboe as a police officer, Adjetey Anang as Edmund, Akrobeto as Honam, and Lady Jay as herself.
‘First Day On Earth’ follows British-Ghanaian novelist Henri (Coel), who is on the run from her past. When she arrives in her ancestral homeland of Ghana, she is immersed in a new world with new relationships—but secrets and lies lurking beneath the surface force her to question everything she believes to be true about herself.
The series is written and executive produced by Coel, who also directs alongside Sam Miller. Johann Knobel produces. HBO and the BBC co-produce, with executive producers including Coel, Miller, Jesse Armstrong, Phil Clarke, Roberto Troni (via Various Artists Limited), and Jo McClellan for the BBC.
–Dominique Young // @heyyydommm