BAFTA Rising Star winner confirmed among new cast in Michaela Coel's much-anticipated new BBC drama
First Day on Earth is being co-produced by the BBC and HBO.
A host of new cast members have been confirmed for First Day on Earth, the highly anticipated new drama from I May Destroy You writer and star Michaela Coel.
Joining Coel, along with previously announced stars including Thandiwe Newton (Wednesday), Maxine Peake (I Swear), Danny Sapani (Halo) and Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who), will be Bukky Bakray, the star of Rocks who previously won the EE BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2021.
Meanwhile, other stars joining the cast include Rakie Ayola (Grace), Ama Serwah Genfi, Adam Lundgren (The Quiet Beekeeper), Ray BLK (The Agency), Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Wonka), Dan Skinner (Litvinenko), Daniella Arthur-Kennedy (Mary Page Marlowe), Jameel Buari (Forever in A Night), Sam Delich (Territory) and Fisayo Akinade (Heartstopper).
The cast will be rounded out by Michael Owusu Addo, Joselyn Dumas, Sister Deborah, Adjetey Anang (Things We Do for Love), Akofa Edjeani (I Sing of a Well), Roselyn Ngissah (Away Bus), Akrobeto (Sam Loko), Godwin Namboe (Potomanto) and Lady Jay, with the latter playing herself.
The series, which is being co-produced by the BBC and HBO, will be made up of 10 episodes, with Coel writing, starring and directing, all while serving as an executive producer. Sam Miller will also direct and serve as an executive producer.
The synopsis for the series says: "British-Ghanaian novelist Henri (Coel) is on the run – from herself, her life, her partner, and that weird guy at her book talk. When she ends up in Ghana, her ancestral homeland, she finds herself submerged in an altogether different world.
"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."
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When the series, which will be produced by Various Artists Limited and FALKNA, in association with A24, was first announced, Coel said in a statement: "I am delighted to be working with VAL, the BBC and HBO again, and to partner with A24; thanks to all of their combined taste, care and expertise, I feel our show is in great hands.
"The process of creating FDOE thus far has been a beautifully intimate experience, and I am excited to embark on the next phase to eventually offer this as another televisual gift for anyone willing to accompany Henri on what will be a wild odyssey!"
First Day on Earth will be coming to BBC One and iPlayer.
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
