Michaela Coel is taking lessons from two entertainment titans straight to her next major project. Fresh off her acclaimed performance opposite Ian McKellen in Steven Soderbergh's new film The Christophers, the Emmy-winning creator is channeling their wisdom into her upcoming HBO drama series, First Day on Earth.
Learning from a Legend: The Ian McKellen Effect
In The Christophers, Coel plays Lori, a talented painter hired by the estranged children of a reclusive artist (McKellen) to secretly finish his legendary series of paintings. The experience of sharing scenes with the acting legend proved transformative. Coel describes the surreal feeling of being in McKellen's presence, constantly having to remind herself to stay focused on the moment.
"It's insane," Coel reflected. "Who gets to soak in Ian McKellen whilst he's turning pages, breaking down scripts, asking questions?" The most significant lesson she took away was McKellen's meticulous approach to the text. "He scrutinizes a script in a way that I haven't ever seen or done," she said. "He encouraged me to ask questions... I learned from Ian that we can really help the writer by asking questions." This collaborative spirit—questioning to strengthen the material—was something Coel admits she hadn't previously considered part of an actor's role.
Steven Soderbergh's On-Set Philosophy
While specific details of Soderbergh's "secret to success" from the film set weren't fully detailed in the conversation, Coel confirmed that the Oscar-winning director's methods have left a lasting impression. Known for his efficient, actor-focused directing style, Soderbergh's influence is now directly informing Coel's own practices as she steps into a massive multi-hyphenate role for HBO.
This isn't Coel's first time in the director's chair, but the scale is new. She previously co-directed the groundbreaking series I May Destroy You, and she's reuniting with her co-director from that project for First Day on Earth. The new series will see her writing, executive producing, producing, co-directing, and starring—a whirlwind she likens to feeling "like an octopus sometimes."
Bringing It All to 'First Day on Earth'
The lessons from The Christophers set couldn't be timelier. Coel is deep into production on the 10-episode HBO drama, where she's applying McKellen's script-interrogation techniques and Soderbergh's directorial insights to her own creative process. The series represents a significant expansion of her creative control following her celebrated work on I May Destroy You.
Coel's journey reflects a growing trend of actors leveraging film experiences to fuel their television projects, much like how Aaron Eckhart's film work translated to streaming success. For Coel, the collaboration with McKellen and Soderbergh wasn't just about making one film; it was a masterclass she's actively deploying on her next venture.
As audiences enjoy the clever dynamics of The Christophers—a film where Coel's character quietly observes before brilliantly revealing her depth—they're also getting a glimpse into the creative evolution of one of today's most compelling storytellers. The painting forgeries at the heart of the movie's plot mirror Coel's own artistic process: studying masters, learning their techniques, and then creating something uniquely her own for HBO.
With First Day on Earth on the horizon, fans can expect a series crafted with the precision of a Soderbergh production and the deep, character-driven inquiry championed by McKellen. It's a powerful synthesis of lessons learned, promising another bold addition to HBO's lineup of prestige dramas.
