How Michaela Coel turned a 2012 stage play into a British television comedy sensation
In short: Before she became a global icon, Michaela Coel captivated audiences with Chewing Gum, a sitcom about a 24-year-old shop assistant navigating religious constraints and sexual curiosity. The series, born from her own stage play, earned critical acclaim for its brazen humor and Coel's unique, physical comedic timing and warmth.
Chewing Gum originated from Coel's 2012 play, Chewing Gum Dreams, which caught the attention of Channel 4 by August 2014. After releasing teaser clips in September 2014, the network launched the series on E4 in October 2015. The show centers on Tracey Gordon, a restricted, religious virgin living in London, whose desire to explore the world and her sexuality drives the narrative. The production utilized real-world locations such as the Andover Estate in Holloway and West London Film Studios to ground the character's journey in a specific urban reality.
The series was a critical triumph, achieving a rare 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for both its first and second seasons. Critics praised the show for its surreal charm and its ability to balance Christian convictions with crude, button-pushing humor. Coel’s performance was widely lauded, earning her the 2016 British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance, alongside a BAFTA for Breakthrough Talent. Reviewers like Filipa Jodelka highlighted her incredible timing and gift for physical comedy, while others noted the show's status as an underrated gem.
Despite the acclaim, the show's broadcast history was complex. After two seasons—the first airing in late 2015 and the second in early 2017—Channel 4 announced in April 2017 that the series would not return. Although Coel initially expressed interest in a potential third season via Twitter in November 2017, she confirmed by November 2018 that the show would not continue. The series has since migrated across various streaming platforms, including Netflix, HBO Max, and Prime Video, cementing its legacy as a bold, singular work of British television comedy that remains highly regarded for its absurdly brilliant execution.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Chewing Gum (TV series)
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