Michaela Coel hints at her next project

Chewing Gum creator Michaela Coel  is working on a project that explores  ‘race, politics and astrophysics’.

The actor and writer made the revelation as she accepted a £30,000 writing award that marks the link between screenwriting and science.

She won the 2017 Wellcome Screenwriting Fellowship to recognise her ‘remarkable screenwriting talent and distinctive approach to exploring the human condition’.

When she accepted the award  on Wednesday night she revealed in a video message that one of two upcoming projects she is working on will focus on ‘race, politics and astrophysics’.

As well as the cash prize, she also gets access to Wellcome Trust’s scientists, labs and research.

Coel said: ‘This fellowship couldn’t have come at a better time. Whilst retaining my individual identity as a writer, my next project will take me on a journey of discovery about brain chemistry, cognitive error, and memory, by the end of which I will undoubtedly have learned to create stories in ways that are currently foreign to me.

‘Here at Wellcome I’ll be able to talk to experts about the diagnosis of personality disorders, cognitive patterns, how they’re formed and myriad other things. I’m very grateful to have been chosen for this year, and can’t wait to get going.’

The award is presented in partnership with the British Film Institute and Film4.

Published: 24 Nov 2017