The cast for Michaela Coel’s upcoming HBO and BBC drama First Day On Earth is coming into focus.
Ncuti Gatwa, Thandiwe Newton, Danny Sapani and Maxine Peake have officially joined the 10-episode series, which Coel created, wrote, executive produced and will star in. The project marks her highly anticipated return to television following the global success of I May Destroy You.
The drama follows Henri, a British-Ghanaian novelist who escapes a stalled career, a complicated relationship and unfinished personal business by traveling to Ghana, her ancestral homeland. Once there, Henri encounters new friendships and joy, but also secrets, difficult family dynamics and uncomfortable truths that push her to question everything she thought she knew about herself.
Gatwa will portray Darren, Newton plays Anya, Peake takes on the role of Helen and Sapani will play Ernest.
Filming on the series is currently underway.
First Day On Earth is produced by Coel’s company Various Artists Limited and co-produced by HBO and the BBC in association with A24. Coel will direct alongside Sam Miller, with Jesse Armstrong, Phil Clarke, Roberto Troni and Jo McClellan among the executive producers.