BAFTA 2021: Michaela Coel’s powerful speech as she celebrates two major wins

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Michaela Coel gave a very powerful speech as she won two of the major gongs at the 2021 British Academy Television Awards.

The 33-year-old’s sexual assault drama I May Destroy You was the big winner at this year’s ceremony, scooping the Leading Actress award as well as the Mini-series prize.

Speaking after collecting her award Coel said: “I am very surprised, actually. I genuinely was not expecting to win for leading actress, so I’m still feeling a bit stunned and so grateful to BAFTA.”

Referencing the series’ storyline and her character Arabella being inspired by some of her worst experiences in the TV industry, she added: “It really helped me get past some troubling stuff.



Michaela Coel gave a very powerful speech as she won two of the major gongs at the 2021 British Academy Television Awards
Michaela Coel gave a very powerful speech as she won two of the major gongs at the 2021 British Academy Television Awards

“And what it enabled me to do is sort of pair something quite tragic with something quite beautiful and that was being able to make a show and create opportunities and see everybody’s talents come together. It has kind of replaced bad memories with really nice ones.”

After being criticised in the past for nomination lists and winners dominated by white men and women, BAFTA had said ahead of the ceremony that they hoped to reflect the diverse nature of the TV industry with their awards.



Michaela Coel stars as Arabella in I May Destroy You which won the award for best Mini-Series
Michaela Coel stars as Arabella in I May Destroy You which won the award for best Mini-Series

I May Destroy You tells the story of Arabella (Michaela Coel) who is a young Twitter-star-turned-novelist who found fame with her debut book Chronicles of a Fed-Up Millennial and is publicly celebrated as a Millennial icon.

While struggling to meet a deadline for her second book, she takes a break from work to meet up with friends on a night out in London.



Michaela Coel admitted she was 'very surprised' by her BAFTA wins
Michaela Coel admitted she was ‘very surprised’ by her BAFTA wins

The following morning, she struggles to remember what happened to her, but recalls the events of the night with the help of her friends Terry (Weruche Opia) and Kwame (Paapa Essiedu).

Sadly the two actors lost out on the Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress awards to Malachi Kirby and Rakie Ayola.

Malachi won his for his role in BBC’s Small Axe, while Rakie scooped hers for her part in Anthony – also on BBC.

A full list of the winners for this years TV BAFTAs can be seen here.

Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/michaela-coel-gives-powerful-bafta-24261595

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