Michaela Coel Stars in 'The Christophers'

In this episode of All of It, host Alison Stewart interviews actor Michaela Coel about her dual roles in two new films: The Christophers and Mother Mary. Coel discusses her performance as Laurie, a reclusive painter hired to forge the unfinished works of a disgraced artist, Julian Sklar, played by Ian McKellen. The film, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is a psychological two-hander that explores themes of art, authorship, loneliness, and moral ambiguity. Coel reflects on the script’s surprising narrative arc, her process of embodying a character shaped by silence and introspection, and the complex power dynamics between Laurie and Julian. She also contrasts this with her role in Mother Mary, where her character, a high-profile fashion designer, masks inner emptiness behind public success. The conversation delves into how art is created, who owns it, and how audiences shape meaning—questions that resonate throughout both films. Coel’s nuanced performance and deep engagement with the material underscore the emotional and philosophical weight of her roles.