Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
I May Destroy You was one of the most acclaimed and influential TV shows of 2020. Created by and starring Michaela Coel, the show explored the aftermath of sexual assault and the complex issues of consent, trauma, and identity. The show featured a brilliant and diverse cast of actors who portrayed the characters with honesty and nuance. But what are they doing now, after the show ended? Here is an update on the cast of I May Destroy You and their current projects.
Michaela Coel: The Creator And Star Who Made History
Michaela Coel played Arabella Essiedu, a young writer who was raped on a night out and tried to piece together what happened to her. Coel was also the creator, writer, co-director, and executive producer of the show, which was based on her own experience of sexual assault. Coel received universal praise and recognition for her role and her work on the show, winning multiple awards and nominations, including two BAFTAs, four Emmys, and a Peabody Award. She also made history as the first Black woman to win the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Since I May Destroy You, Coel has been working on several new projects, both in front of and behind the camera. She is set to appear in the upcoming Marvel film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, where she will play an undisclosed role. She is also developing a new musical feature film with Universal Pictures, which she will write, direct, and star in. Additionally, she is writing a new book, titled Misfits: A Personal Manifesto, which will be published in 2022 and will explore her creative journey and her views on race, gender, and class.
Weruche Opia: The Best Friend Who Became A Star
Weruche Opia played Terry Pratchard, Arabella’s best friend and a struggling actor. Terry was loyal and supportive of Arabella, but also had her own secrets and insecurities. Opia delivered a breakout performance, and was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Critics’ Choice Award .
Since I May Destroy You, Opia has been busy with several film and TV projects, such as Silent Night, a dark comedy with Keira Knightley and Matthew Goode, and Inside Man, a crime thriller with David Tennant and Stanley Tucci. She is also set to star in The Girl Before, a psychological thriller series based on a bestselling novel by J.P. Delaney.
Paapa Essiedu: The Best Friend Who Broke Boundaries
Paapa Essiedu played Kwame, Arabella’s best friend and a gay fitness instructor. Kwame was confident and adventurous, but also faced his own trauma and challenges, especially as a Black gay man in a heteronormative society. Essiedu gave a powerful and nuanced performance, and was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Critics’ Choice Award .
Since I May Destroy You, Essiedu has been working on several film and TV projects, such as Gangs of London, a crime drama series where he plays a gangster’s son, and The Pursuit of Love, a period drama series where he plays a jazz musician. He is also set to star in The Power, a sci-fi thriller series based on a bestselling novel by Naomi Alderman.
