I May Destroy You takes home awards for “Best Mini-Series” and “Best Leading Actress.”
The twelve-episode series was created for HBO and BBC One – Michaela Coel, takes creative control as show-runner, director, writer, and star.
https://twitter.com/MichaelaCoel/status/1265283768820080645
It follows Arabella, a young British author, and the aftermath of her rape. For just one night she abandons her writing and goes out with friends. But in the morning, she has little to no recollection of the night prior. Her memories slowly flood back, and she is forced to confront the events of the night she was drugged.
The consequences are both mental and physical. Audiences watch as Arabella and her friends approach intimacy, and are reminded of the severity of consent. Coel has emphasized that the storyline was closely inspired by her own life, and wants to raise awareness around rape culture.
After receiving her awards, Michaela Coel, took the time to thank the show’s intimacy coordinator. In her speech, she emphasizes that she “[wants] to dedicate this award to the director of intimacy, Ita O’Brien.” She thanks them for their “existence in [the] industry” and for “[making the space safe for creating physical, emotional, and professional boundaries so that [they] can make work about exploitation, loss of respect, about the abuse of power, without being exploited or abused in the process.”
Especially as the industry holds more professionals accountable for sexual harassment and assault, roles such as intimacy directors/coordinators are necessary and crucial.They ensure safety and comfort for everyone involved. The show’s close study of friendship and trauma is something everyone should get the opportunity to see.
Stream it now on HBO Max, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. After watching the mini-series, let us know your thoughts by leaving a reaction below or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.