Michaela Coel’s upcoming drama series “First Day on Earth” is officially in production, and the show has just assembled an impressive ensemble cast. The HBO and BBC co-production, which marks Coel’s return to television writing since her groundbreaking series “I May Destroy You,” now includes Thandiwe Newton, Ncuti Gatwa, Maxine Peake, and Danny Sapani in key roles. Filming is currently underway for the 10-episode series, bringing this deeply personal story to life .
The series follows Henri, a British-Ghanaian novelist played by Coel, who finds herself running from her life in the UK and ends up in Ghana, her ancestral homeland. What begins as an escape turns into a journey of self-discovery as she navigates new relationships and uncovers family secrets .
Who Is Joining the Cast of ‘First Day on Earth’?
The new cast additions bring serious star power to an already exciting project. Each actor has been cast in a specific role that will surround Coel’s character Henri during her time in Ghana.
Thandiwe Newton joins the series as Anya. Newton is widely recognized for her roles in “Westworld,” “Wednesday,” and the British police drama “Line of Duty.” Her character Anya is expected to be one of the new faces Henri meets during her journey .
Ncuti Gatwa will play Darren. Gatwa gained international fame as the Fifteenth Doctor in “Doctor Who” and starred as Eric in “Sex Education” and the blockbuster film “Barbie.” His casting adds to the growing list of young British talent in the series .
Maxine Peake takes on the role of Helen. Peake has appeared in recent projects like “I Swear” and “Say Nothing,” and brings decades of experience from British television and theater .
Danny Sapani completes the main cast as Ernest. Sapani’s credits include “Killing Eve,” “The Diplomat,” “Halo,” and “Harlots.” His character Ernest likely connects to Henri’s family story in Ghana .
These four actors join Michaela Coel, who not only stars as Henri but also wrote the entire series and serves as an executive producer .
What Is ‘First Day on Earth’ About?
The official synopsis paints a clear picture of what viewers can expect from this drama. Henri is described as being on the run from multiple things—herself, her life, her partner, and even a weird guy at her book talk. This sense of escape leads her to Ghana, her ancestral homeland .
Once in Ghana, Henri finds herself submerged in an altogether different world. The official description explains: “Amidst new friends, fresh joy, and many different and nuanced relationships, Henri also finds secrets, lies, difficulty and denial—leading her to question everything about herself, her heritage and her family” .
Coel shared more about the show’s themes in a 2025 interview with British Vogue. “It’s about a British girl who goes to Ghana. And it’s about the people that she meets, the circumstances she finds herself in, her relationship with her parents and about her sense of self,” she said .
She also touched on the deeper meaning of the story. “You may have an idea of where you stand in the world, but the minute you move and you stand somewhere else, your position changes. If you are not aware of how your standing, your social standing, changes when you move to a place like Ghana, you can land yourself in very silly, embarrassing and terrible situations. Will she learn from her experience or will she end up back where she started?” .
Who Is Behind the Camera?
The creative team behind “First Day on Earth” reads like a who’s who of prestige television. Michaela Coel created the series and wrote every episode. She also executive produces alongside Sam Miller, who worked with Coel on “I May Destroy You” and will co-direct .
Perhaps most notably, Jesse Armstrong, the creator of “Succession,” joins as an executive producer through his production company Various Artists Limited. Armstrong’s involvement signals the high expectations for this project .
Phil Clarke and Roberto Troni also executive produce for Various Artists Limited, with Jo McClellan representing the BBC. A24, the studio behind hits like “Euphoria” and “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” is also involved in the production. Johann Knobel serves as producer .
The series is a Various Artists Limited production, co-produced by HBO and the BBC in association with A24 .
Michaela Coel’s Return to Television
“First Day on Earth” represents Coel’s first TV writing project since “I May Destroy You” took the world by storm in 2020. That series, which Coel also created, wrote, and starred in, earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series. It received nine Emmy nominations total and won for Outstanding Music Supervision .
Before that, Coel created and starred in the BAFTA-winning sitcom “Chewing Gum,” which ran from 2015 to 2017 on Channel 4. That show was based on her 2012 play “Chewing Gum Dreams” .
Coel has continued acting in recent years, appearing in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and the Prime Video series “Mr & Mrs Smith.” But “First Day on Earth” marks her return to the creator’s chair .
When the series was first announced in 2024 at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, shared her excitement. “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 and told in a way that only Michaela can. I can’t wait for everyone to see it” .
Coel herself described making the show as “a beautifully intimate experience.” She added that with the creative team assembled, “our show is in great hands” .
What Have Fans Said About the News?
The casting announcement has generated significant excitement online. Following the massive success of “I May Destroy You,” fans have high expectations for Coel’s next project .
When the series was first announced, one fan commented, “Mainline it into my eyeballs!” while another wrote, “We are readyyyyy!” A third viewer simply declared it “a masterpiece already” before seeing a single frame .
One particularly enthusiastic fan reacted to the HBO connection: “I’m going to hyperventilate omg omg omg, another HBO show written by Michaela Coel???? I’m not crying, YOURE crying” .
The combination of Coel’s writing, the star-studded cast, and the involvement of Jesse Armstrong and A24 has only increased anticipation for the series .
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When and Where Will ‘First Day on Earth’ Release?
Filming is currently underway on “First Day on Earth,” according to multiple sources. The series will consist of 10 episodes, each reportedly 60 minutes long .
A specific release date has not yet been confirmed. In the UK, the series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. In the United States and internationally, it will be available on HBO and stream on Max (formerly HBO Max) .
For viewers in other regions, the HBO and BBC co-production model suggests wide international availability, though specific platforms for countries like Canada, Australia, and India have not been announced yet. Australian viewers can likely expect the show on Binge or Foxtel, which carry HBO content, while Canadian audiences might find it on Crave .
Given that production has just begun, the series will likely arrive in late 2026 or early 2027. The combination of location shooting in Ghana and the involvement of multiple production companies suggests a complex shoot that will require time to complete.
The creative pedigree involved—Coel, Armstrong, Miller, A24, HBO, and the BBC—positions “First Day on Earth” as one of the most anticipated new dramas in development. With Thandiwe Newton, Ncuti Gatwa, Maxine Peake, and Danny Sapani now on board, the series has the cast to match its ambitious vision.
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For more entertainment news and updates on “First Day on Earth” and other upcoming series, keep checking VvipTimes for the latest developments from the world of television and streaming.
