BAFTA TV Awards 2021: Michaela Coel takes home the Leading Actress and Mini-Series gongs for I May Destroy You after awards season snubs
Hard work paid off for Michaela Coel at the British Academy Television Awards as she took home the gongs for Leading Actress and Mini-series for I May Destroy You.
The actress, 33, who was snubbed for her work in the critically acclaimed series at the Golden Globes this year, looked sensational as she attended the ceremony at Television Centre in White City on Sunday.
The TV star grinned from ear to ear as she posed with her Mini-Series award backstage before she then took home the Leading Actress award.
Winner: Hard work paid off for Michaela Coel at the British Academy Television Awards as she took home the gongs for Leading Actress and Mini-series for I May Destroy You
Michaela attended the star-studded ceremony in a flowing backless gown and with a statement red cuff sleeve detail.
The star cut a glamorous figure as she slicked back her raven tresses and accentuated her features with a slick of red lipstick.
She added a selection of gold accessories to her gown, including a chunky chain necklace and some statement rings.
I May Destroy You was one of last summer’s most critically-acclaimed shows around the world when it aired on BBC One and HBO.
Show: The actress, 33, who was snubbed for her work in the critically acclaimed series at the Golden Globes this year, looked sensational as she attended the ceremony at Television Centre in White City on Sunday
It follows Arabella as she comes to terms with a sexual assault after her drink was spiked at a nightclub, in a storyline based on the harrowing real-life experience of Michaela.
Michaela has previously won two BAFTAS in 2016 for her hit E4 comedy Chewing Gum in the Breakthrough Talent and Best Female Comedy performance categories.
Fans of the actress took to Twitter following her wins, with one writing: ‘Congrats Michaela! I May Destroy You was excellent. She’s amazing’.
Another said: ‘Brilliant! Absolutely loved I May Destroy You,’ while another added: ‘So well deserved’.
In February, fans of I May Destroy You were outraged when the hit show, and creator Coel, were snubbed by the 78th Golden Globe Awards.
The actress, who starred, wrote, directed, and produced the critically-acclaimed series, failed to get a nod in any category.
Wow: The TV star, who was also nominated in the Leading Actress category, looked sensational for the evening in a flowing backless gown and with a statement red cuff sleeve detail
Award: Michaela grinned as she posed with her award for the series that was one of last summer’s most critically-acclaimed shows
Plot: The show follows Arabella as she comes to terms with a sexual assault after her drink was spiked at a nightclub, in a storyline based on the harrowing real-life experience of Michaela
The show did lead the winners for the Royal Television Society Awards in March, however, scooping all three of its nominated categories; for Mini-Series, with creator Coel scooping both Actor (Female) and Writer- Drama.
The show also scooped three BAFTAs at the British Academy Television Craft Awards 2021.
Several of the year’s biggest TV moments were be celebrated on Sunday, with Diversity’s controversial BLM-inspired routine on Britain’s Got Talent, which sparked 24,500 complaints to Ofcom, featured in the must-see moment category.
The category, which is voted for by the public, also saw nods to Penelope being revealed as Lady Whistledown in Bridgerton and when Luke Skywalker appeared in the climax of The Mandalorian’s second season.
Stunning: The TV star added a selection of gold accessories to her gown, including a chunky chain necklace and some statement rings
Reaction: Fans of the actress took to Twitter following her wins, with one writing: ‘Congrats Michaela! I May Destroy You was excellent. She’s amazing’
However it’s Small Axe which lead this year’s nominations with 15 nods.
The BBC One anthology film series, directed by Sir Steve McQueen, picked up six TV nominations and nine in the craft categories, including a nod for the Mini-Series gong alongside Normal People, Adult Material and I May Destroy You.
Small Axe – which features five films that tell stories about lives of West Indian immigrants in London from the 1960s to the 1980s – also picked up two Leading Actor nominations with John Boyega and Shaun Parkes both receiving nods.
Facing off against Michaela in the Leading Actress category was Letitia Wright for Small Axe, Billie Piper (I Hate Suzie), Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People), Hayley Squires (Adult Material) and Jodie Comer (Killing Eve).
Unimpressed: In February, fans of I May Destroy You were outraged when the hit show, and creator Coel, were snubbed by the 78th Golden Globe Awards
Success: Plot: The show follows Arabella as she comes to terms with a sexual assault after her drink was spiked at a nightclub, in a storyline based on the harrowing real-life experience of Michaela
Elsewhere, I May Destroy You star Paapa Essiedu went up against John and Shaun for the Leading Actor award, as well as Normal People actor Paul Mescal, Baghdad Central’s Waleed Zuaiter, and The Crown’s Josh O’Connor.
The Crown received 10 nominations – four for TV and six for the craft categories – including a nod for the Drama Series accolade alongside I Hate Suzie, Save Me Too and Gangs of London.
Other nods included This Country, Man Like Mobeen, Inside No. 9, and Ghosts for the Scripted Comedy prize, and siblings and This Country creators Daisy May and Charlie Cooper received nominations for the Female and Male Performance in a Comedy Programme gongs, respectively.
The ceremony was hosted by Richard Ayoade, while Stacey and Vick take charge of the red carpet presenting.
Acclaim: The show also scooped three BAFTAs at the British Academy Television Craft Awards 2021
Source: Read Full Article
