All it takes is one event to alter the course of someone’s life in a way that seems irreparable. And in the new dramedy series, “I May Destroy You,” that idea is explored as a young, carefree writer is sexually assaulted and left to figure out what happened and how she can move on with her life.
And though that’s a heavy premise for a TV series, creator-writer-director-star Michaela Coel is still able to explore a timely, important subject and inject it with a bit of much-needed levity. As mentioned, the series explores the idea of sexual assault and consent, but delves just as deep into the aftermath of the event, and what it takes for a victim to come to terms with the assault and attempt to pick up the pieces, continuing her life.
Joining Coel in the cast of the series are Weruche Opia (“Inside No9”), Paapa Essiedu (“Kiri”), Aml Ameen (“Yardie”), Adam James (“Belgravia”), Sarah Niles (“Catastrophe”), Ann Akin (“Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams”), Harriet Webb (“Plebs”), Ellie James (“Giri/Haji”), Franc Ashman (“Peep Show”), Karan Gill (“Flesh & Blood”), Natalie Walter (“Horrible Histories”), and Samson Ajewole.
“I May Destroy You” premieres on HBO on June 7. You can watch the trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
Following triumph from a piece of writing that garnered internet acclaim, Arabella Essiuedu (Coel) – easily distracted, non-committal and carefree – finds herself feted as the ‘voice of her generation,’ with an agent, a book commission and a helluva lot of pressure. After being sexually assaulted in a nightclub, her life changes irreversibly and Arabella is forced to reassess everything: her career, her friends, even her family. As Arabella struggles to come to terms with what has happened, she begins a journey of self-discovery.