Michaela Coel Says She Learned This Big Lesson from Ian McKellen Making “The Christophers” (Exclusive)

In a recent interview with PEOPLE magazine, Michaela Coel, the celebrated creator and star of ‘I May Destroy You’, expressed her astonishment at sharing the screen with the renowned Sir Ian McKellen. The opportunity to work alongside such a distinguished actor in the film ‘The Christophers’ has left Coel feeling as if she has experienced a slice of divine fortune.

“This is nuts,” the 38-year-old actress said, reflecting on her unexpected collaboration with McKellen, who is 86 years old. Coel, who began her artistic journey as a poet in London’s pubs, admitted that she had never imagined that one day she would find herself co-starring with a titan of the stage and screen like McKellen. The fact that director Steven Soderbergh and writer Ed Solomon thought to cast the two of them together is, according to Coel, “amazing”.

‘The Christophers’, currently showing in cinemas, features Coel in the role of Lori Butler, a struggling painter drawn into the world of art forgery. Her character is hired to replicate a series of famous paintings created by McKellen’s character, Julian Sklar. The film unfolds as a tense duel of wills between Lori and Julian, set against the backdrop of Julian’s London flat, where they confront unresolved issues linked to the enigmatic Christophers, portraits of a man from Julian’s past.

Soderbergh, who directed ‘The Christophers’, shared his initial excitement in casting Coel and McKellen for what he describes as an intimate “philosophical clash of the Titans.” He acknowledged the inherent challenges in directing an actor of McKellen’s stature. The director recognised the potential for McKellen’s powerful presence to overshadow his co-stars but expressed complete confidence in Coel’s remarkable ability to hold her own on screen.

“Michaela Coel is not someone you can just push off the screen,” Soderbergh noted. “I loved the idea of the two of them in the same frame, as they both bring such unique energy to the performance.”

Coel expressed gratitude for the invaluable insights she received from her legendary co-star. One piece of advice that resonated with her was McKellen’s encouragement to “stay curious” throughout her craft. He urged her to “not be lazy” and to maintain an active engagement with the material. Coel remarked on McKellen’s meticulous approach to his work, explaining how he scrutinises every detail of the script. “Every page, he’s like, ‘What does that mean?’” she explained, revealing that his thoroughness prompted her to double-check her own understanding of the material.

This dynamic working relationship seemed to inspire Soderbergh as well. He noted the enthusiasm the two actors displayed, reminiscent of aspiring artists. “They roll up as though they’d never been paid to do this before, and this is all new,” said Soderbergh. That infectious excitement is particularly striking, given the accomplished careers both Coel and McKellen have enjoyed.

In addition to her role in ‘The Christophers’, Coel is also set to star alongside Anne Hathaway in the highly anticipated pop star drama ‘Mother Mary’, which is due for release on April 17. Her career continues to blossom, with each new project highlighting her exceptional talent and creativity in both acting and filmmaking.

As Coel reflects on her journey to this point, she is keenly aware of the unusual nature of her current position in the film industry. Collaborating with a legend like McKellen has cemented her belief that while she may have emerged from humble beginnings, her artistic aspirations have brought her to a unique and exciting place in her career. In her own words, it is certainly a dream come true.

‘The Christophers’ is currently available in theatres, offering audiences a chance to witness the extraordinary pairing of Michaela Coel and Sir Ian McKellen amidst an engaging narrative that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.