Michaela Coel Is Set to Write and Star In a New BBC Drama About Sexual Consent

Chewing Gum and Black Earth Rising star Michaela Coel continues to flex her creative muscles in an anticipated landmark drama for BBC Two.

The broadcaster recently announced in a statement and at the Edinburgh International TV Festival that Coel has created, written and will star in Jan 22nd—a "fearless, frank and provocative" series that digs deep exploring the question of sexual consent in contemporary life and how, in the new landscape of dating and relationships, we make the distinction between liberation and exploitation.

"I feel weirdly overwhelmed and honored to be making something again," Coel says. "Something I'm making myself, with a great team."

The synopsis details:

Set in London, where gratification is only an app away, the story centers on Arabella (Coel) whose raw and personal experience of consent sits at the heart of the story. Through Arabella we meet a group of fictional friends and colleagues whose sexual adventures frequently collide with a world in which new codes of sexual practice are emerging.

Jan 22nd was commissioned by BBC Drama controller Piers Wenger and Patrick Holland, BBC Two controller.

"Michaela Coel is a unique talent and her writing for this drama explodes from the page," Wenger says in the statement. "It promises fearless, provocative and gripping storytelling exploring one of the defining issues of our times."

The series is produced by Various Artists Ltd and co-produced with FALKNA Productions. Coel is the executive producer for FALKNA, Phil Clarke for Various Artists Ltd and Wenger for BBC Two.

More details are to be announced soon.

Additionally, Coel is due to give the MacTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival this evening. Read more about the honor here.