In 2017, Michaela Coel turned down a one million dollar deal with Netflix for her show, "I May Destroy You." Why? Because they wouldn't allow her to maintain any percentage of the copyright. Not 5%. Not even .5%.
She walked away. From Netflix and her agency, CAA, who was pushing her to take the deal.
In the fall of that same year, she pitched to BBC, who gave her everything she was looking for, including a seat at the development table and full creative control. HBO joined as a co-producer. Michaela Coel went on to write all twelve episodes, co-direct nine, and star in the show.
Last night, she made history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Best Writing, Limited Series.
