Michaela Coel
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- October 1, 1988 in Tower Hamlets, London, England, UK
- Active Years
- 1996–2026 (31 Years)
- Total Credits
- 37 credits in database
Biography
Michaela Ewuraba Boakye-Collinson, known professionally as Michaela Coel, is a British and Ghanaian actress, filmmaker, writer, poet, and television director born on October 1, 1987, in Tower Hamlets, London, England. She is best known for creating and starring in the E4 sitcom Chewing Gum, which ran from 2015 to 2017, and for which she won a BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance. She is also known for the BBC One and HBO comedy-drama series I May Destroy You, for which she won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress in 2021. For her work on I May Destroy You, Coel became the first Black woman to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards. Her work also includes Netflix productions.
Career overview
Michaela Ewuraba Boakye-Collinson, known professionally as Michaela Coel, is a British and Ghanaian actress, filmmaker, writer, and poet. Born on October 1, 1987, in Tower Hamlets, London, England, she has established a notable career in television and film. Coel is best known for creating and starring in the E4 sitcom Chewing Gum, which originally aired from 2015 to 2017, and for her work on the BBC One and HBO comedy-drama series I May Destroy You, released in 2020.
For her creative and performance work, Coel has received significant critical recognition. She won a BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for Chewing Gum and subsequently won the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress in 2021 for I May Destroy You. Additionally, her writing on I May Destroy You made history at the 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards, where she became the first Black woman to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special.
Beyond these defining projects, Coel has also been known for her work in other Netflix productions, alongside her involvement in films such as Black Mirror, Top Boy, and Medea. Recognized professionally for her acting, writing, and directing across various platforms, she continues to be active in the film and television industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
37 titles- Mother Mary (2026) as Sam Anselm
- Proper Ladies (2026) Executive Producer
- The Christophers (2025) as Lori Butler
- Babygirl (2024) Thanks
- Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024) as Bev
- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) as Aneka
- I May Destroy You (2020) as Arabella Essiuedu
- I May Destroy You (2020) Executive Producer
- I May Destroy You (2020) Director
- I May Destroy You (2020) Writer
- I May Destroy You (2020) Creator
- RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2019) as Self - Guest Judge
- Black Earth Rising (2018) as Kate Ashby
- Been So Long (2018) as Simone
- Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) as Resistance Monitor
- The Aliens (2016) as Lilyhot
- London Spy (2015) as Journalist
- Chewing Gum (2015) as Tracey Gordon
- Chewing Gum (2015) Original Music Composer
- Chewing Gum (2015) Creator
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Guest
- Monsters: Dark Continent (2014) as Kelly
- National Theatre Live: Medea (2014) as Nurse
- National Theatre Live: Chewing Gum Dreams (2014) as Tracey Gordon
- National Theatre Live: Chewing Gum Dreams (2014) Writer
- National Theatre Live: Home (2013) as Young Mum / Portugal
- Black Mirror (2011) as Airline Stewardess
- Black Mirror (2011) as Shania
- Comedy Blaps (2011) as Tracey Gordon
- Top Boy (2011) as Kayla
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self
- First Day on Earth as Henri
- First Day on Earth Executive Producer
- First Day on Earth Creator
- Bloodsport Director
- Bloodsport Screenplay
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Michaela Coel best known for?
Michaela Coel is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Mother Mary (2026), The Christophers (2026), Babygirl (2024), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2024).
When and where was Michaela Coel born?
Michaela Coel was born on October 1, 1988 in Tower Hamlets, London, England, UK.
How many credits does Michaela Coel have?
Michaela Coel has accumulated over 37 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1996 to 2026.
What is Michaela Coel's background in cinema and television?
Michaela Ewuraba Boakye-Collinson, known professionally as Michaela Coel, is a British and Ghanaian actress, filmmaker, writer, poet, and television director born on October 1, 1987, in Tower Hamlets, London, England. She is best known for creating and starring in the E4 sitcom Chewing Gum, which ran from 2015 to 2017,...
Michaela Coel by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Black Mirror (2011) as Airline Stewardess — aged about 22
- Black Mirror (2011) as Shania — aged about 22
- Top Boy (2011) as Kayla — aged about 22
- I May Destroy You (2020) as Arabella Essiuedu — aged about 31
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self — aged about 18
- RuPaul's Drag Race UK (2019) as Self - Guest Judge — aged about 30
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