HBO has been developing a new drama series titled First Day on Earth, which appears to be an exciting project. This is also due in part to an actress joining the series, Thandiwe Newton, best known to audiences for her performance on Westworld, who is playing a character called Anya. Much of the attention around First Day on Earth is due to Michaela Coel leading the project. With so much success with her previous work, I May Destroy You, people are clearly eager to see what she comes up with next.In addition to Newton, there is also confirmation of several other cast members: Maxine Peake has been recognised for her accomplished work in British television, Danny Sapani is an actor best known for his work in both action and drama, and Ncuti Gatwa has been very well known for his role as the Doctor on Doctor Who. HBO has officially confirmed that production has started and will consist of a total of ten episodes for the first season, so it is very obvious that HBO has a great deal of investment in First Day on Earth.First Day on Earth focuses on Henri, portrayed by Michaela Coel, who is a British-Ghanaian writer having a breakdown and trying to escape everything going on in her life, including the random man she met at one of her book clubs. She runs away to Ghana, which is both a location connected to her roots and an area she has not come to terms with until she is standing there before her homeland. When she gets there, she meets people through relationships that will help her see herself in a whole new way. The good side of that revelation, as well as the bad side of it, will eventually lead to new possibilities in her life and development.What the story of First Day on Earth tries to exploreAt the center of First Day on Earth is Henri and her journey as an individual. Essentially, she is weighed down with many burdens that she cannot bear alone, and this withdrawal is not a permanent escape but rather an opportunity to address the issues she has been keeping to herself. Once in Ghana, she encounters an entirely new world in a variety of ways: a sunny place, a place with people who do not share her history but are willing to become included in her future.The show explores identity in a simple and grounded way. Henri must look back at her own choices while also trying to understand where she comes from. She finds joy, but she also finds parts of her history that are harder to deal with. The people she meets play small and big roles in shaping how she thinks. Some help her see things more clearly, and some make her question her own assumptions. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostBelonging, family, relationships, and the difficulty of integrating the past with the present are the themes found within First Day of Earth. This story does not seem too exaggerated; it relies on everyday conversations and experiences, therefore, presenting an abundance of emotional and difficult-to-express feelings. Henri's characterisation is a gradually evolving one that occurs through the emergence of small experiences and unexpected revelations.The team behind First Day on EarthBehind-the-scenes support also makes First Day on Earth more intriguing. Michaela Coel has written and is acting as lead in addition to being an executive producer and directing part of this series, so viewers will likely be excited about whatever creative direction she takes based on previous projects she has been involved in. Coel and her creative team members include Jesse Armstrong, who gained fame with his work on HBO's hit series Succession, and other executive producers Phil Clarke, Roberto Troni, Jo McClellan, and Sam Miller, with Miller directing at least some episodes. A producer, Johann Knobel, will work along with co-producer Clarke during the preproduction phase.The production and financing of First Day on Earth was made possible in part by Various Artists Ltd, and the co-producers are HBO, BBC and A24. While they are all major players in the world of television production, HBO, BBC, and A24 are equally committed to producing quality television programs that provoke thought for their audiences. Therefore, the series has created great expectations in terms of visually, tonally and structurally. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe addition of actress Thandiwe Newton will bring additional attention to the production. Newton has established a reputation for taking on difficult, complex roles in movies, with many audience members forming very strong emotional bonds to her performances when watching her. While little has been revealed about her role in this series, the mystery surrounding her involvement alone has generated strong levels of interest from her fan base, and also from the general public.There is no confirmed release date yet, but with production moving ahead and with such a strong cast and team, First Day on Earth is already turning into one of HBO’s most anticipated upcoming titles.