Read on for the full conversation.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Can you pitchChewing Gumto American audiences who havent heard of it yet?
MICHAELA COEL: I am s at pitching.
Credit: Mark Johnson/Netflix
Shes as awkward as this fg pitch!
But why do you think that story is relevant today?
Women are tired of presenting themselves; we just want to be who we are.
Mark Johnson/Netflix
This is a show about a girl who has no filter.
But, shes also [a very happy girl], you know?
Its an infectious happiness.
Mark Johnson/Netflix
Going into season 2, will that continue?
I dont even know what to say to that.
[Laughs] Shes made a real mess.
Is she at least somewhat happy in this mess shes made?
I dont think shes happy.
Whats making it worse is that Connor has moved on, unfortunately, so thats not helping matters.
People are kind of pissed off!
She doesnt have anybody on her team right now, apart from one guy who youll meet.
Well, youve met him already, but not as much.
Hes all over season 2, and hes the only guy whos a friend to her.
So Connor is completely out of the picture?
Hes definitely in the show.
Oh, the plot thickens!
I do want to go back, though, to the inception of the series.
Can you explain the title?
Youve got such a mix of people, which isveryLondon.
When you run out of milk, you knock on the next door, and you get milk!
Then, you end up being a godmother to somebodys children.
How do you tackle balancing such interesting physical comedy with sharp writing?
I write every single word of my show by myself.
I can see everything.
I went to drama school, where you learn to clown around a bit.
[Robert Lonsdale] and I rehearsed that scene the first day we met.
We exchanged names, and then I was literally sucking his face.
You shouldnt give a f in life, full stop!
You have to be true to your instinctive way of writing.
You have to findyouridentity.
Ive pretty much been a zero fs kind of person since I was three.
What do you think made you that way?
I never know what to say.
Maybe my mum fed me something weird?
I really dont know.
I went to a really crazy school.
It was a girls school, and it was mental.
I once sat in class while a girl ate her breast.
Wait, she atewhat?
Like, she was sucking on her nipples in class!
Oh, my God… well, I want to move on to talking about TV in general.
I dont think so… Welovea period drama!
Welovea bit ofDownton Abbey!
So, were going to keep doing it… We just love that s!
Do you attempt to push the discussion on race and gender in a new direction withChewing Gum, then?
Not even just race and gender…
I cant just make a show solely about black girls.
To stop being so crazy.
What do they mean, go backwards?
and why is it important for you to break away from those expectations?
[They think you should] keep the number under six if you want anybody to love you.
Why couldnt you write someone whos a lawyer or studying in university?
All I can say is: Why dont you write that show?
Im going to write mine.
There are a lot of people who find [Chewing Gum] uncomfortable so uncomfortable that theyreagainstit.
At the same time, not every show is for everyone.
Thats the last thing I feel when I watch this show is uncomfortable, so thats crazy to me.
Maybe its the point youre at in your life.
Some people are so [bothered].
Its like secondhand embarrassment…
It makes me think like, Jesus Christ, whats going on in [their lives]?
Its knocking on themthismuch that they have to change the channel?
Whats the significance of including her above anyone else as an idol for Tracey?
For Tracey, Beyonce represents the version of herself that she wants.
She wants to have Beyonces life.
I think Beyonce represents the pinnacle… shes so graceful.
Did you see her [at the Grammys reacting toAdeles speech]?
Yes, and I readthe essay you wrote about it!
Im so pro that whole situation.
Shes so graceful and shes sexy and shes angry, too.
Im not even going to laugh at the end of that because I mean it.
Im laughing because its true.
I think we listen to Beyonce more than we read the Bible!
Theres no doubt about that.
Im not trying to offend the church!
Beyonce is now our little pinnacle of human completion!
Chewing Gums second season premieres April 4 on Netflix.
