Next in the continuation of our posts highlighting new TV shows featuring a main character on the autism spectrum is an eight-episode comedy called Atypical from Netflix.
Atypical was created and written by Robia Rashid and Academy-Award winning producer Seth Gordon (“The Goldbergs”). Professor of special education Michelle Dean was brought into the production to help guide an accurate depiction of autism spectrum disorder.
Keir Gilchrist plays Sam Gardner, an 18-year-old high school senior on the autism spectrum, trying to navigate dating, school and just being a teenager. The first season follows Sam as he finishes up high school and prepares for more independence. This, of course, affects the entire family. Jennifer Jason-Leigh and Michael Rapaport play Sam’s parents.
“The theme of Atypical is: no one’s normal. But Sam’s probably the most normal one of all of them,” Rashid says in the featurette. “This is a guy who’s just like all of us.”
“Atypical goes deep into the magical world of the mind of someone with autism,” Brigette Lundy-Paine, who plays Sam’s sister Casey, says and adds, “So much of the show is told from inside Sam’s head, so it’s this treasure trove of experiences.”
We would love to hear your feedback on the trailer, the series theme in general and please come back and post a comment if you are planning to watch the show.
The next show in our series features The Good Doctor which debuts in late September on ABC.