FIRST DAY ON EARTH is an upcoming HBO and BBC One television series written by and starring Michaela Coel (I MAY DESTROY YOU), who is also co-director alongside Sam Miller. The ten-part dramatic series should see our screens in early 202. Here is a look at the cast & premise.
British novelist Henri (Coel) is stuck. Work has dried up; her relationship is going nowhere. 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 heritage. But when she arrives, neither the job nor her father turn out the way she expected, and soon Henri has to deal with danger and hypocrisy, form new friendships, lose her illusions, and create a new sense of identity – one that might leave her stronger, but could also break her.
Joining her in this Ghana saga is a large cast, many of whom we’ve never heard of, as they must be African artists. The recognizable talent, however, are Thandiwe Newton (WESTWORLD), Ncuti Gatwa (Dr. Who), Danny Sapani (Coel’s Chewing Gum, Halo) and Maxine Peake (Silk). Recurring cast includes Musical artist Ama Serwah Genfi, known professionally as Amaare, in her acting debut, along with Bukky Bakray (Rocks), Rakie Ayola (Kaos), Adam Lundgren (The Restaurant), Ray BLK (Champion), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Wonka), Dan Skinner (Notes on Blindness), Daniella Arthur-Kennedy, Jameel Buari (Forever in A Night), Sam Delich (Territory)), and Fisayo Akinade (Heartstopper). Also participating are Michael Owusu Addo, Joselyn Dumas, Sister Deborah, Adjetey Anang (Things We Do for Love), Akofa 
Edjeani (I Sing of a Well), Roselyn Ngissah (Adams Apple), Akrobeto (Ensi Aga), Godwin Namboe (Potomanto), and Lady Jay as herself.
Wow, Coel lists every player, whether a one-liner or walk-on, for this piece. I can’t help but think back to THE NO. 1 LADIES’ DETECTIVE AGENCY, which filmed on location in Botswana, for HBO/BBC.
Coel said, “I am delighted to be working with VAL, HBO and the BBC again, and to partner with A24; thanks to all of their combined taste, care and expertise, I feel our show is in great hands. First Day On Earth is another very personal story for me which I hope will engage viewers from all over the world, and I can’t wait for audiences to go on Henri’s journey with her.”
Amy Gravitt, EVP, HBO & Max Comedy Programming, said, “Michaela’s words have the ability to transport the reader like no other. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue the conversation that began with I May Destroy You, alongside our close collaborators at VAL, A24 and the BBC. With Henri as our guide, First Day On Earth is as lyrical as it is visceral in its excavation of the idea of home. “
Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, added: “Michaela is one of those exceptional talents whose work I have long admired. I May Destroy You is one of the reasons I wanted to join the BBC. In First Day On Earth, Michaela has created another unmissable series – truly original, heartfelt, hilarious, poetic storytelling, told in a way that only Michaela can. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
This is one to watch for.
