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Entertainment • Television

I May Destroy You

I May Destroy You is a British black comedy-drama television miniseries created, written, co-directed and executive produced by Michaela Coel.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

I May Destroy You is a British black comedy-drama television miniseries created, written, co-directed and executive produced by Michaela Coel. Set mainly in London, it follows writer Arabella as she tries to rebuild her life after a sexual assault while dealing with questions of consent, trauma, friendship and identity. The series premiered in June 2020 on HBO and BBC One.

Premise

The series follows Arabella, a writer in London whose life unravels after a night out involving drug-facilitated sexual assault. The story explores the investigation, emotional aftermath, and effects on her relationships and work.

Production

Michaela Coel created, wrote, co-directed and executive produced the series for BBC One and HBO. The show was developed from Coel's own experiences and is noted for its many script drafts and personal basis.

Release

I May Destroy You first aired on HBO in the United States on 7 June 2020 and on BBC One in the United Kingdom on 8 June 2020. It consists of 12 episodes.

Reception and awards

The series was widely praised by critics for its portrayal of consent, trauma, race and modern relationships. It won several BAFTA TV Awards, including awards for mini-series, writing, directing, acting and editing.

Key facts

  • The series centres on Arabella, a London writer played by Michaela Coel, who investigates the aftermath of a sexual assault.
  • The show was inspired by Coel's own experience of being sexually assaulted during the making of Chewing Gum.
  • It received widespread critical acclaim and major BAFTA TV Awards, including Best Mini-Series and Best Writer: Drama.
  • The cast includes Weruche Opia as Terry and Paapa Essiedu as Kwame, Arabella's friends.
  • The series aired on HBO, which has a Canadian presence through Crave distribution and related premium television carriage.
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Canadian context

The series aired on HBO, which has a Canadian presence through Crave distribution and related premium television carriage, and it has been widely discussed in Canadian media as a significant television work on consent and trauma.

Frequently asked questions

What is I May Destroy You about?
It follows Arabella, a writer in London, as she tries to understand and recover from a sexual assault and its consequences for her life.
Who created I May Destroy You?
The series was created, written and co-directed by Michaela Coel.
How many episodes does it have?
It has 12 episodes.
When did it premiere?
It premiered in June 2020 on HBO and BBC One.
Is it based on real events?
Yes. The series draws on Michaela Coel's own experience of sexual assault.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_May_Destroy_You
    Supports: Series format, creator, cast, setting, original broadcasters, premiere dates, awards.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/I-May-Destroy-You
    Supports: Series description, main character, themes, and Michaela Coel's creative roles.
  3. BBC Culture — https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200605-i-may-destroy-you-is-an-astonishing-study-of-sexual-assault
    Supports: Premise, inspiration from Coel's experience, and focus on sexual assault.
  4. ABC News — https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-09-23/i-may-destroy-you-tv-series-hbo-bbc-michaela-coel-consent-trauma/12640158
    Supports: Episode count, themes, and plot details about the assault aftermath.