Michaela Coel says she rode the 'cycle of grief' from 'anger' to 'revengeful' after sexual assault

Michaela Coel has admitted that she rode a ‘cycle of grief’ after she was spiked and sexually assualted by a stranger in a bar several years ago.

Speaking to ELLE, the actress and screenwriter, 33, said: ‘It’s really horrible and f*cked up, and to automatically feel angry, sad, revengeful, those are good things.’ 

Gracing the cover of the publication’s October issue, Michaela looked chic in white stilettos and a black mini dress with shoulder pads as she reflected on the ordeal. 

‘It’s f*cked up’: Michaela Coel admitted that she rode a ‘cycle of grief’ after she was spiked and sexually assualted by a stranger in a bar several years ago in a new interview with ELLE 

The award-winning writer and actress explained in full: ‘I think [about] what happened to me. It’s really horrible and f*cked up…

‘To automatically feel angry, sad, revengeful, those are good things. And then your final destination is empathy. 

‘But then there’s also things like the law and we need both of those things. I think the cycle of grief has to be ridden all the way around. It’s easy to remain in a place of anger, sadness or shock,’ Michaela added. 

The strong actress later turned her trauma into a 12-part hit BBC1 series – I May Destroy You – which follows the life of a young London-based writer called Arabella after she was spiked and assaulted in a nightclub. 

Progress: ‘To automatically feel angry, sad, revengeful, those are good things. And then your final destination is empathy,’ the award-winning writer and actress explained 

Looking flawless as she posed in a black co-ord with a striking cut out detail for the high fashion shoot, Michaela reflected on how forgiveness can actually be empowering. 

The star said: ‘I hate the idea of somebody being sorry and me withholding forgiveness. Because you leave someone in torment and actually you have the power to release that person. Feeling that power is empowering.’

And Michaela made it clear that she hadn’t let her trauma get in the way of experiencing life to the full as she often dances in parks alone at nighttime so she can enjoy the moonlight. 

Work: She later turned her trauma into a 12-part hit BBC1 series – I May Destroy You – which follows the life of a writer called Arabella after she was assaulted (pictured on the show)

The acclaimed writer said of her nocturnal activities: ‘You know, you can’t live in fear, I get that there has to be an element of caution but there is security patrolling the park. 

‘I see them. They see me. They know there’s a weird girl who comes to the park at night and dances. And when it’s been some time, they say: “Oh! You’re back. It’s been a while…”‘

Michaela also admitted she has no qualms about making friends with strangers and has previously found companionship in unlikely people.  

The October issue of ELLE is on sale from 02 September

Speaking of one man who she met in the middle of the night, the star said: ‘I asked him where he lived and he said he’d just moved round the corner.

‘Turned out he had just left prison and they had housed him there. 

‘Those were his belongings, in the bin bags. 

So we had a chat and I gave him my number. 

We were out there, in the middle of the night, in the empty streets and he said to me, “You’re a bit weird.” 

And I said, “So are you.” And we hugged and off he went.’ 

The October issue of ELLE is on sale from 02 September

Fearless: Michaela detailed in the candid interview how she doesn’t fear life but dances in parks alone at night and makes friends with strangers (pictured on I May Destroy You)