I May Destroy You: A Forgotten Masterpiece Of The 2020s

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The 2020s have given us a wealth of excellent TV shows, but surprisingly, some of the best are already fading from memory. The explosion of streaming services, each creating its own content, means there’s more choice than ever, and many fantastic shows have emerged in recent years.

Shows like The Bear, The Queen’s Gambit, Arcane, Succession, and Severance are now considered some of the greatest TV shows ever made. However, with so many popular and acclaimed series, other deserving shows often get overlooked. That’s what’s happened to I May Destroy You, which is arguably one of the best shows of the last ten years.

I May Destroy You Is Still One Of The 2020s’ Best TV Shows

The British comedy-drama series I May Destroy You came out in 2020. Created and written by Michaela Coel, and directed by both Coel and Sam Miller, it first aired on HBO and BBC One in June of that year.

The TV series I May Destroy You centers around Arabella Essiedu, a London-based novelist in her late 20s. She’s gained fame from her first book and is now considered a voice of her generation, but she’s facing writer’s block as she tries to finish her second novel. After a night out with friends, something terrible happens to her.

Arabella experiences a sexual assault at a bar and wakes up with fragmented memories of the night. With support from her friends, Terry and Kwame, she begins to piece together what happened. As they help her confront her trauma, Terry and Kwame also grapple with their own personal challenges.

The show I May Destroy You focuses less on who attacked Arabella and more on her recovery and how that trauma affects everything around her. It was highly acclaimed by both critics and viewers, who praised its direction, writing, acting, and the important issues it explored.

I May Destroy You is a remarkably well-made show, skillfully combining dramatic moments with dark humor. What truly sets it apart is its focus on Arabella’s path to recovery, exploring her experience without framing her as simply a victim. The show is complex and tackles difficult themes with nuance. While it can be challenging to watch, it’s a powerful and worthwhile television experience.

A Lot Has Happened Since I May Destroy You Released

The TV series I May Destroy You resonated deeply when it first aired, particularly given its exploration of themes related to the #MeToo movement, and quickly became a defining show of that era. However, a lot has changed since then. Released during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, it feels like a significant amount of time has passed, partly because the pandemic altered our perception of time.

I absolutely loved I May Destroy You, and while a lot of people praised it too, it didn’t get a second season. Honestly, though, it didn’t need one. The ending felt really complete for Arabella’s journey, like her story had a proper resolution. It’s a shame, because as amazing as the show was, without anything new to talk about, it feels like it’s already fading from the conversation, which is a real loss.

Since I May Destroy You aired, numerous other popular TV shows have captured the spotlight, both new series and existing ones that continued to gain traction. Meanwhile, Michaela Coel has primarily shifted her focus to film, appearing in movies like Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, The Christophers, and Mother Mary.

Even though it might be overlooked over time, I May Destroy You will remain a standout and incredibly important TV show of the 2020s. Its quality isn’t diminished by the possibility of it being forgotten.

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2026-03-08 17:08