Michaela Coel Returns: 'When I Do Something for Popularity or Clout, It's Not As Fulfilling'

The Emmy winner is back onscreen in 'The Christophers' and 'Mother Mary' after a six-year break since 'I May Destroy You'

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:34pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered, glittering disco ball glass fragments reflecting dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the glamour and intensity of the entertainment industry.The dazzling textures and lighting of Michaela Coel's latest film roles capture the allure and intensity of the entertainment world she has navigated with thoughtful purpose.NYC Today

Six years after the acclaimed success of 'I May Destroy You', Michaela Coel is back with two new film roles - in Steven Soderbergh's 'The Christophers' and David Lowery's 'Mother Mary'. Coel discusses the differences in working with the two directors, how she approaches acting versus writing, and why she's been selective about the projects she's taken on since her breakout series.

Why it matters

Coel's return to acting after a long break since 'I May Destroy You' is significant, as the acclaimed series cemented her status as a major creative voice. Her thoughtful approach to choosing new roles and projects, rather than chasing popularity or clout, reflects an artistic integrity that resonates with many fans and industry observers.

The details

Coel first took a small role in Ryan Coogler's 'Black Panther' sequel 'Wakanda Forever', which she says she wasn't fully prepared for due to the green screen acting required. She then agreed to lead roles in Soderbergh's 'The Christophers' and Lowery's 'Mother Mary', finding the intimate, dialogue-driven nature of those films more in line with her strengths as an actor. Coel describes the different directing styles of Soderbergh and Lowery, with Soderbergh being more hands-off and trusting, while Lowery encouraged more collaboration and exploration of the material.

  • Coel filmed 'The Christophers' immediately after returning from writing her next BBC/HBO/A24 series 'First Day on Earth', with just a few days of preparation.
  • 'Mother Mary' finished filming almost two years ago, in the midst of the writers' strike, leading to an extensive editing process with director David Lowery.

The players

Michaela Coel

An acclaimed British actress, writer, director, and producer best known for creating, writing, directing, and starring in the Emmy-winning HBO series 'I May Destroy You'.

Steven Soderbergh

An American filmmaker known for directing films such as 'Ocean's Eleven', 'Traffic', and 'Erin Brockovich'.

David Lowery

An American filmmaker known for directing films such as 'A Ghost Story', 'The Old Man & the Gun', and 'Pete's Dragon'.

Ian McKellen

A legendary British actor known for his roles in films such as 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'X-Men' franchises.

Anne Hathaway

An American actress known for her roles in films such as 'The Devil Wears Prada', 'Les Misérables', and 'Ocean's 8'.

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What they’re saying

“I really learned — and it was so useful for me to learn this because of the project I was about to start filming: Don't overthink. Trust it.”

— Michaela Coel, Actress

“David is more like me, in that we like to ruminate. We like to just go, 'Is this right? What about this?' So there were a lot more takes [than with Soderbergh] in a great way.”

— Michaela Coel, Actress

“I think so. But also my memory of I May Destroy You is just like a haze of loving it. I don't remember too much. Maybe because COVID came after. This one, it took a lot longer for me to write — this project took a lot longer — and it was rough to write. This was rough.”

— Michaela Coel, Actress

What’s next

Coel is currently in the midst of filming her next BBC/HBO/A24 series 'First Day on Earth', which she wrote and is starring in. The 10-episode series is expected to wrap production in September 2026, with post-production continuing into early 2027.

The takeaway

Michaela Coel's return to acting after the success of 'I May Destroy You' reflects her thoughtful approach to choosing projects that deeply resonate with her, rather than chasing popularity or clout. Her intimate, dialogue-driven performances in 'The Christophers' and 'Mother Mary' showcase her talent and artistic integrity, as she continues to push herself creatively with her next ambitious TV series 'First Day on Earth'.