Michaela Coel's 'First Day on Earth' Adds 21 to Cast — Including Amaarae and Bukky Bakray
The ensemble for Michaela Coel's long-awaited return to television just got a whole lot bigger.
HBO and the BBC have announced 21 additional cast members for First Day on Earth, Coel's new drama series — including Ghanaian singer Amaarae (born Ama Serwah Genfi) and Rocks star Bukky Bakray.
The 10-part series follows Henri (Coel), a British-Ghanaian novelist who is on the run — from herself, her life, her partner, and a strange encounter at her book talk. When she lands in Ghana, her ancestral homeland, she finds herself immersed in an entirely different world filled with new friendships, fresh joy, but also secrets, lies, and difficult truths that force her to question everything about herself, her heritage, and her family.
Among the newly announced cast, Amaarae makes her acting debut as Nana, while Bukky Bakray joins as Sunny, Rakie Ayola (Kaos) plays Maame, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Wonka) takes on the role of Steve. Additional cast includes Ray BLK as Jacqueline, Adam Lundgren as Asger, Dan Skinner as Chris, Fisayo Akinade (Heartstopper) as Adekunle, Jameel Buari as Ronald, Sam Delich as Klubeck, and Daniella Arthur-Kennedy as Gladys.
Rounding out the new additions are Michael Owusu Addo as Sarkodie, Joselyn Dumas as Jessica, Sister Deborah as Ama, Adjetey Anang as Edmund, Akofa Edjeani as Athena, Roselyn Ngissah as Eresi, Akrobeto as Honam, Godwin Namboe as a police officer, and Lady Jay as herself.
They join the previously announced cast of Thandiwe Newton, Ncuti Gatwa, Maxine Peake, and Danny Sapani.
The series is co-produced by HBO and the BBC, with executive producers including Coel, Sam Miller, Succession creator Jesse Armstrong, Phil Clarke, Roberto Troni for Various Artists Limited, Jo McClellan for the BBC, and A24. Coel and Miller will also co-direct.
First Day on Earth marks Coel's first series as creator, writer, and star since her Emmy and BAFTA-winning landmark I May Destroy You. If this stacked cast is any indication, the wait will be more than worth it.