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On Sunday, 33-year-old Michaela Coel became the first black woman to win the Emmy for Best Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Film for her HBO drama, “I May Destroy You,” which she wrote. written, directed and performed in.
The 12-episode series draws on Coel’s experience as a sexual assault survivor.
But as Coel launched what would become her award-winning show in 2017, she initially turned down a $ 1 million contract to do the show with Netflix, according to a July 2020 profile with Vulture.
Coel already had a relationship with Netflix at the time – the streamer presented her first major project, “Chewing Gum,” in the United States, and she later appeared in an Emmy-winning episode of “Black Mirror”. But despite the tempting $ 1 million offer, Coel turned down the offer when she was denied the option to retain a percentage of the copyright in her work.
According to Vulture, during a phone call with a senior Netflix executive, Coel attempted to negotiate to retain 5% of his rights, which were reduced to 2%, then 1% and ultimately 0.5%. Before the executive ended the call to move the numbers up the chain, she said to Coel, “Michaela? I just want you to know that I’m really proud of you. You do what he does.” should.”
It was a clarifying moment for Coel, she told Vulture: “I remember thinking, ‘I shot rabbit holes in my head, like people thinking I’m paranoid, I act. summarily, I kill all my agents. Then she said these words to me, and I finally realized – I am not crazy. This crazy.”
Coel ultimately fired her U.S. agency when she learned they were pushing her toward the deal and would earn an undisclosed amount from the partnership. In the fall of 2017, she presented “I May Destroy You” to a BBC producer. She received an email the next day saying she would have everything she bargained for: a seat at the production table, full creative control, and the rights to the work.
“I May Destroy You” premiered in June 2020 with favorable reviews for its exploration of a young black woman rebuilding her life, career and relationships after sexual assault.
In his acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards, Coel addressed a few words to his fellow writers:
“Write the story that scares you, that makes you feel uncertain, that is uncomfortable. I challenge you.
“In a world that prompts us to walk the lives of others to help us better determine what we think about ourselves and, in turn, to feel the need to be constantly visible, for visibility these days seems in a way synonymous with success.
“Don’t be afraid to disappear, from her, from us, for a while, and see what comes to you in the silence.”
After thanking several HBO and BBC executives, she dedicated her story and award to all survivors of sexual assault.
Coel’s historic victory stands out as a rare exception of the evening. Despite a record number of nominees from under-represented communities, all of the major acting trophies have gone to white actors.
There have been other historic victories elsewhere. It was the first time that women have won both the comedy and dramatic directing categories (Lucia Aniello for “Hacks” and Jessica Hobbs for “The Crown”, respectively). And with 11 career wins in total, host and producer RuPaul broke the record for most Emmy wins by a person of color, as “RuPaul’s Drag Race” took home the trophy for best reality competition program.
To verify: Chloe Zhao, second woman to win Oscar for Best Director, says slow success is key
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