Michaela Coel on What Steven Soderbergh and Ian McKellen Taught Her About Filmmaking

Published 1 month ago• 1 minute read

Precious Eseaye

Michaela Coel on What Steven Soderbergh and Ian McKellen Taught Her About Filmmaking

Michaela Coel sat down with Collider to talk about her film The Christophers and her upcoming HBO drama seriesFirst Day on Earth.

In the film, Coel plays Lori — a painter dragged into a scheme to steal and forge unfinished canvases by a reclusive 1960s artist played by Ian McKellen.

Working with McKellen changed how she approaches scripts. He pushed her to question everything on the page — a habit she hadn't developed before.

Director Steven Soderbergh's lesson was different: his secret is unwavering confidence, deep trust in his team, and zero overthinking.

Coel is now applying both lessons on First Day on Earth, a 10-episode series she's writing, co-directing, producing, and starring in simultaneously.

About one-third of filming is done. The show is expected to release next year, with filming wrapping in September.