Largely about consent and its many violations, this is a tough-but-must watch
Published 23.09.21, 07:31 AM
Image courtesy: IMDB
This 12-episode British dramedy series set in London tells the story of Arabella (Michaela Coel), a promising writer who is in the midst of a creative crisis while working on her new book. The show centers around her life and the hazily remembered sexual assault she endures during a night-out in the city.
Through dry humour, sprinkled liberally amidst outright devastation, the show explores the idea of consent and how it is constantly violated, sometimes in apparent ways and sometimes in subtle ones that often remain unaddressed. Coel, who has also written, produced and co-directed the series, is fabulous in the role of a woman whose life goes on as usual, even as she deals with the trauma of the assault.
Coel, who based this series loosely on her own experience of sexual assault, made history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for outstanding writing in a limited anthology series or movie this month. In her speech, Coel dedicated her story to “every single survivor of sexual assault”.
Stream the show for some powerful and inspiring storytelling.
