EXCLUSIVE: HBO and BBC has rounded out the cast for First Day on Earth, adding 20 in recurring/guest roles. They will join Michaela Coel in her new drama series, a followup to her award-winning I May Destroy You.

Musical artist Ama Serwah Genfi, known professionally as Amaare, will play Nana in her acting debut, along with  Bukky Bakray (Rocks) as Sunny, Rakie Ayola (Kaos) as Maame, Adam Lundgren (The Restaurant) as Asger, Ray BLK (Champion) as Jacqueline, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Wonka) as Steve, Dan Skinner (Notes on Blindness) as Chris, Daniella Arthur-Kennedy as Gladys, Jameel Buari as Ronald (Forever in A Night), Sam Delich (Territory)) as Klubeck and Fisayo Akinade (Heartstopper) as Adekunle. 

L-R: Jameel Buari, Sam Delich and Fisayo Akinade

Ike/Chloe Paul/Phil Sharp

Additional casting includes Michael Owusu Addo as Sarkodie, Joselyn Dumas as Jessica, Sister Deborah as Ama, Adjetey Anang (Things We Do for Love) as Edmund, Akofa Edjeani  (I Sing of a Well) as Athena, Roselyn Ngissah (Adams Apple) as Eresi, Akrobeto (Ensi Aga) as Honam, Godwin Namboe (Potomanto) playing a police officer and Lady Jay as herself.

Written by Coel, the series follows Henri (Coel), British-Ghanaian novelist who is on the run – from herself, her life, her partner, and that weird guy at her book talk. When she ends up in Ghana, her ancestral homeland, she finds herself submerged in an altogether different world. Amidst new friends, fresh joy, and many different and nuanced relationships, Henri also finds secrets, lies, difficulty, and denial – leading her to question everything about herself, her heritage, and her family. 

In addition to Coel, the previously announced cast includes Thandiwe Newton, Maxine Peake, Danny Sapani, and Ncuti Gatwa. 

First Day On Earth is co-produced by HBO and the BBC, and executive produced by Coel, Sam Miller, Jesse Armstrong, Phil Clarke, and Roberto Troni for Various Artists Limited, Jo McClellan for the BBC, and A24. Johann Knobel will produce; Coel and Miller will direct.  

Genfi (Amaarae) is repped by Paradigm Talent Agency.