Michaela Coel made history at this year’s edition of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Awards.
The 33-year-old became the first person in BAFTA history to win awards in four key categories. Coel won for Leading Actress, Writer, Director, and also Mini-Series for her BBC drama, I May Destroy You.
Coel picked up the awards for Leading Actress and Best Mini-Series at the BAFTA TV ceremony on June 6th. Last month, she also won the writing and directing awards for I May Destroy You at the BAFTA Craft Awards.
BBC Director of Drama, Piers Wenger had this to say,
“Michaela’s history-making achievements at this year’s BAFTAs are a thrilling reminder of her peerless talent. They are a testament to her tireless drafting and re-drafting, her generous and inclusive approach to filmmaking, and the courage she shows in putting herself out there for the sake of her art. She is an individual of true passion and vision and utterly deserving of her place in the history books.”
About the show
I May Destroy You is a provocative series that explores the question of sexual consent in dating and relationships. The 12-part drama about a woman trying to come to terms with sexual assault, inspired by something that happened to Coel herself. The show is a BBC and HBO co-production created, directed, and also executive produced by Coel.
In her acceptance speech, Coel dedicated her award to the show’s Intimacy coordinator, Ita O’Brien.
“I want to dedicate this award to the director of intimacy Ita O’Brien,” She said. “Thank you for your existence in our industry, for making the space safe for creating physical, emotional, and professional boundaries so that we can make work about exploitation, loss of respect, about abuse of power, without being exploited or abused in the process.”