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After being snubbed by the Golden Globes, Michaela Coel has been nominated for a SAG award

Fans and critics were outraged after the creator and star of hit series failed to receive a nomination at one of the year's biggest awards ceremonies

Roisin O'Connor
Friday 05 February 2021 09:47 GMT
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I May Destroy You trailer starring Michaela Coel

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One day after she was snubbed by the Golden Globes, Michael Coel has received a nomination for the Screen Actors Guild awards.

The creator, director, writer and star of the acclaimed BBC series I May Destroy You’s omission from the Golden Globes caused uproar in the film and TV world, with many accusing the voters of being woefully out of touch.

However, Coel has now been acknowledged as a SAG award contender in the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series category.

She is up against Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy and Kerry Washington.

Coel received rave reviews for her performance as well as the writing for I May Destroy You, which topped a number of end-of-year lists as the best TV show of 2020.

Read more: The biggest snubs and surprises at the 2021 Golden Globe nominations

The Independent named it as the best show of 2020, with TV critic Ed Cumming calling it "dark, smart, sharp and unexpected".

"It was ostensibly about a writer in London putting her life back together after a rape," he wrote. "But it was much more than that: an exploration of youth, race, gender, sexuality and what it means to live and work in Britain in the 21st century, dished out in 12 half-hour episodes that refused easy answers without sacrificing wit or verve.

"In interviews for the series Coel revealed how hard she’d had to fight to get the creative control she wanted: not a problem she’ll have again, you imagine."  

Coel in I May Destroy You
Coel in I May Destroy You (BBC)

The Golden Globe nominations were accused of several faux pas, including its nod to James Corden for his controversial performance in Prom, and another for the much-derided Netflix series Emily in Paris.

It also failed to acknowledge critically praised performances by actors including Zendaya (Malcolm & Marie) and Normal People’s Paul Mescal.

The SAG awards take place on 4 April.

See the full list of Golden Globe nominations here.

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