Michaela Coel Turned Down $1 Million From Netflix to Keep Ownership of Her Work — Then Made Emmy History
#NOLAZINE - British-Ghanaian actress, writer, and director Michaela Coel made a bold business decision when she reportedly turned down a $1 million offer from Netflix rather than give up ownership of her creative work.
In 2017, Coel pitched her television series I May Destroy You to Netflix, which reportedly offered her $1 million but refused to give her any copyright ownership. Determined to protect her creation, she negotiated for a percentage of the rights, lowering her request from 5% to just 0.5%. However, Netflix still declined.
Instead of accepting the deal, Coel walked away and eventually partnered with the BBC, which allowed her to retain greater creative control and ownership. The series premiered in 2020 through BBC and HBO, receiving widespread praise for its powerful storytelling about sexual assault, consent, and trauma.
In 2021, Coel made history by becoming the first Black woman to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Her journey became an inspiring example of the importance of knowing your worth, protecting your intellectual property, and understanding the power of ownership.
Michaela Coel proved that sometimes turning down $1 million can lead to something far more valuable: owning your work and controlling your future.
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