Michaela Coel won’t be adding a series linked to her hit series “I May Destroy You,” according to executive producer Phil Clarke, who confirmed that “there wasn’t much more to say.”
Michaela Coel is no longer developing a follow-up to her acclaimed series “I May Destroy You.” Despite early buzz and updates from former BBC drama director Piers Wenger about a related project, Coel and the creative team decided there wasn’t more to explore in that universe.
Executive producer Phil Clarke confirmed to Deadline that Coel had brainstormed ideas for a potential continuation but ultimately chose not to move forward. “When Piers went public, we were all talking about it,” Clarke said. “But then we rightly decided there wasn’t much more to say. You can only conclude that once you’ve explored it a little bit.”
“I May Destroy You,” which premiered in 2020, followed a young, publicly-known London writer named Arabella Essiedu (Coel) who is raped and struggles to rebuild her life. The series is loosely based on an assault that happened to Coel, who has spoken publicly about being a sexual assault survivor.
After the series’ success, Coel has been busy with other projects. She appeared in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and played a supporting role in Prime Video’s “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” Next, she will star alongside Anne Hathaway in the A24 film “Mother Mary,” directed by David Lowery. The film is described as an “epic pop melodrama” with music by Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX.
“I May Destroy You” remains a powerful standalone series, and Coel’s decision to move on ensures its legacy remains intact. The show is available to stream on Max in the U.S.