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fictional characters that I was able to create – some of whom were rapists, some of whom were
victims of horrible crimes, creating family structures and friendships…

And that focus does help you cope.

“Falling in love with all these characters – because they were all creations of my imagination – you
learn to love yourself. And you learn to perceive the world in maybe a healthier light.”

For her next project, Coel admits that she might ease up a little, and write something less personal
and less exposing.

“And if-slash-when I do that, I think it would involve this mysterious thing called ‘the writers’ room’
that I’ve heard about, where other people are also doing [the writing],” she laughs, adding that,
before the pandemic hit, she was due to shadow “absolute legend” Jesse Armstrong in his writing
room for his hugely popular US drama series Succession.

“I am so curious, so the minute I get a chance I’m gonna be like a little mouse on Jesse
Armstrong’s shoulders, listening in, trying to experience how it happens. Because I’ve never been
in one. But that would be the next phase.”

When it comes to her own viewing, what does she enjoy? “I see great TV around me. I thought
Trigonometry was incredible – great roles for women, great roles for men of colour. Pure was also
fantastic. What I do think is: when we are given the opportunity to make the content, roles appear
that are great for women, great roles appear for people of colour, for people from working-class
backgrounds.

“This is what we need: I still feel there is a lack of content created by working-class people in this
country. And I think we really have a long way to go.”

As for I May Destroy You, she says she isn’t apprehensive about sharing these brutal experiences
with the public. “It’s really lovely to know that this show may enable people who feel alone in
having a particular experience to know that they’re not alone. TV is a form of communication, and
some people find it really hard to communicate with anyone, let alone a therapist. This is just a
little something that might lead you towards a step of getting the help you need. Of feeling some
sort of commonality from one victim, survivor – however you want to call it – to another.”

But also be entertained? “Oh my God, yes! Because it is a ride. And it’s funny. And it goes way
beyond the subject of sexual assault. Because sexual assault exists in a world where a lot of other
things are happening.”

I leave sunny, positive, forward-pushing Michaela Coel to another afternoon in lockdown, to her
running, meditating and flagon of green gunk. I wonder if those are alternatives to the corona-
coping self-medication mechanism being deployed by many of the rest of us, as it’s been reported
that Coel is teetotal. Did she stop drinking as a result of what happened to her?

“No, I wouldn’t say I don’t drink any more. I feel like a journalist may have caught me at one point
where I didn’t drink – then that moment kinda passed!” she cackles. “So maybe on a Saturday I’ll