Michaela Coel

Biography

Michaela Ewuraba Boakye-Collinson, known as Michaela Coel, is a distinguished British actress, filmmaker, and poet born in 1987. She gained widespread acclaim for her groundbreaking work in the E4 sitcom *Chewing Gum*, which aired from 2015 to 2017, earning her a BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance. Coel further solidified her status in the entertainment industry with her critically acclaimed BBC One/HBO series *I May Destroy You* in 2020. This innovative show not only showcased her talents as a writer and performer but also garnered her the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress in 2021. Notably, she made history as the first Black woman to receive the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special at the 73rd Emmy Awards.

In addition to her standout projects, Coel has made memorable appearances in various productions on Netflix. She guest-starred in the anthology series *Black Mirror* (2016–2017) and took on the role of Kate Ashby in the limited series *Black Earth Rising* (2018). Her film credits include portraying Simone in *Been So Long* (2018). With her unique voice and powerful storytelling, Michaela Coel continues to inspire audiences worldwide, proving to be a significant force in contemporary television and film.