When it comes to the world of the talking pictures, television is the perfect medium to share the autistic experience. Of course, movies and films will always try their best (unless they’re being directed by Sia), however, year on year, autism in television only seems to get better – whilst the big screen walks a far less certain path; with the highs being very high and the lows being, well, I’m sure I don’t have to mention Sia’s film twice.
Nevertheless, with the future of cinema currently looking uncertain, you would think that autistic television would now take the time to have a rest from the constant beatdown it has been giving it’s older brother for the past decade. Yet, over the last few months, we have been inundated with exciting announcements of upcoming autism shows, that demonstrate everything up to now was just autistic television’s warm-up.
So whether you’re looking for something new to watch, checking up on an old favourite or just want to see what I mean when I say that autistic television is crushing it right now, here are all the current autism shows to fill your screen for 2021 and beyond [please note: where possible I have included trailers to the first season to avoid spoilers]
1. The Good Doctor
Genre: Medical Drama
Release Date: March 16th 2021 (Season 4)
Plot: Starring Freddie Highmore (who you might know from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – the bad one without Gene Wilder), The Good Doctor is an American adaption of a Korean medical drama of the same name, wherein Dr Shaun Murphy—an autistic surgical resident, with all the brains and none of the social skills, must prove himself at the prestigious St. Bonaventure Hospital.
Should you watch it? When I first watched The Good Doctor back in 2017, I thought the depiction of autism was a bit too cliched for my liking. However, I ultimately came around to the show as a whole, when I witnessed the lengths it went to in depicting the challenges autistic people have in employment, due to the perceptions of others. Of course, quite some time has passed since then and I have since lost access to the channels showing the show but, considering that if a show manages to get past 3 seasons, then you know it’s a hit, I think it’s fair to say that if you want to spend your evening catching up with The Good Doctor, you’re in safe hands.
2. Hero Elementary
Genre: Animation
Release Date: March 29th 2021 (Season 2)
Plot: Created by Carol-Lynn Parente and Christine Ferraro (Who previously wrote many Julia-centric episodes on Sesame Street), Hero Elementary is an exciting new kids show set in the titular Hero Elementry for budding superheroes. The series teaches viewers how to investigate, make predictions and figure out solutions and, after much speculation, this year, in a 2-part World Autism Awareness Day special, it was revealed that the main character: AJ Gadgets, is autistic
Should you watch it? Hero Elementry is constantly praised for its outstanding inclusiveness, both with regard to the cultural diversity that’s present among the heroes and now within its neurodiverse representation. However, it’s the fantastic balance of representation and storytelling that really make this show a highlight. Don’t let the age rating fool you either, this is one any superhero loving viewer will enjoy.
[For those who want to skip straight to the the autism-centric episodes, these can also be found in full on YouTube.]
3. On the Specturm
Genre: Comedy-Drama
Original Release Date: May 22nd 2018 (Season 1)
Western Release Date: April 2nd 2021 (Season 1)
Plot: A slice of life comedy that has been praised for its accurate representation of daily autistic life, On the Spectrum is a multiple award-winning Israeli series, which follows 3 autistic roommates dealing with daily life and discusses topics of love, family and careers from the autistic viewpoint.
Should you watch it? After what feels like a lifetime of waiting, this year the show has finally released with English subtitles for Western audiences and so far the reactions have been, well… mixed. With that said, this show really has swept up the awards in its long journey to the West, so maybe this is something you should at least take a quick peek at… unless, like me, you are not American and don’t have access to HBO Max – in which case it looks like we’re going to have to wait a little longer for this one.
4. Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
Genre: Animated ,Children’s Comedy, Musical (Wow! They really didn’t want to commit to just one category)
Release Date: April 5th 2021 (Season 5)
Plot: An animated show inspired by Mister Roger’s Neighbourhood, episodes of Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood usually consist of two musical stories targeted at teaching younger viewers important lessons: like learning to deal with disappointment. Through Daniel’s eyes, we are introduced to many of the colourful characters that make up his world which, as of this year, will include Max, a 4 year old boy with autism (played by an autistic actor).
Should you watch it? I’m not going to lie, I’ve not seen Mister Roger’s Neighbourhood and I haven’t seen Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood either, so it’s hard for me to give a recommendation on this one. Yet, what I can say is that it is never too early to introduce someone to the wonders of neurodiversity and, given that many of the Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood episodes can be watched for free on YouTube (including the episode above which introduces Max), you’ve also nothing to lose by checking it out.
5. Everything’s Gonna be Okay
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: April 8th 2021 (Season 2)
Plot: Everything’s Gonna Be Okay is about 20-something Nicholas who, after the passing of his father, takes custody of his two half-sisters: the autistic Matilda, and Genevieve. Barely getting by as an adult, Nicholas must adjust to his newfound role as a parent, supporting his family through plots containing themes of sexuality on the spectrum, autistic identity and, of course, other non-autism-related family drama.
Should you watch it? It’s hard not to feel smug when I hear about ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Okay’, as after spending a year hyping up the first season, the show delivered and then some with progressive discussions of complicated themes and more autistic portrayals than you can shake a stick at. If season 2 can capture even a fraction of the first series, then it’s unquestionable that this is one to watch and, what’s more, after creator/star Josh Thomas also disclosed that he is autistic earlier this year, I’m now more invested than ever.
6. Love on the Spectrum
Genre: Reality Dating Show
Release Date: May 18th 2021 (Season 2)
Plot: Easily one of the most heartwarming series you will find on Netflix, this May, the reality dating show which kept us all going through 2021 returns, sharing the stories and experiences of a diverse selection of Australian autists as they navigate the world of romance and love.
Should you watch it? Taking ample amounts of time to look at the whole spectrum, as well as autistic people in different stages of relationships, Love on the Spectrum is easily one of the most diverse portraits of autistic life (and my God if it isn’t entertaining at the same time). By the end of season 1, I had cried both tears of joy and upset, so you can be damn sure I will be tuning into season 2 with crossed fingers for everyone to receive a happily ever after.
7. Atypical
Genre: Coming of Age Comedy (At least I think it’s suppose to be a comedy)
Release Date: TBC (Season 4)
Plot: In Atypical, an 18-year-old, penguin loving, autistic boy: Sam, sets out on a journey to live a self-sustained life, through the support of his friend Zaayn (a wannabe ladies man), his much more interesting sister Casey and therapist Julia (who really should have left the show after season 1). Whilst the original plot of Atypical focused on Sam’s quest to find love, subsequent series have looked at topics including autism at college, as well as plots centric to characters outside of Sam, with themes such as sexuality and marriage all featured prominently.
Should you watch it? After 3 seasons of diminishing returns, I am really crossing all my fingers and toes that season 4 will mark the moment where the show returns to its peak and we get a new gold standard of autism series. Of course, even if this doesn’t transpire, the show really seems to be exploring some interesting stories in its support cast (which I won’t spoil here) so, for that alone, it might be worth flicking on the show when it finally releases.
8. Dinosaur
Genre: Comedy/Drama (Probably)
Release Date: 2022 (Season 1)
Plot: The latest female-led project from the producers of the phenomenal Fleabag, ‘Dinosaur’ will follow Nina, a fossil loving paleontologist, who despite being ‘a little different’ has always found comfort in the world, thanks to two things: her passion for the prehistoric and her younger sister Evie. This peace all comes crumbling down, however, when Evie asks Nina to be her maid of honour – and, subsequently, Nina finds herself looking for a date to accompany her to the wedding.
Should you watch it? Fleabag is easily one of the greatest things to come out of the UK since Adele’s ‘21’ and it’s great that the show has cast an autistic woman in the lead role, but something about the short synopsis makes me worry that the series runs the risk of wandering into autistic characture territory – which probably isn’t helped by the fact that the show’s creator doesn’t currently have much in the way of experience (unless you count having a famous filmmaker dad as experience). Needless to say, I’m not overly invested in this one right now, but I will be keeping my eye on it as we find more in the coming months.
9. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Genre: Animated Superhero Romp
Release Date: 2022 (Season 1)
Plot: Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur is what you get when you cross ET with Jurrasic Park (and if that hasn’t sold you on the idea of this new Marvel animated show I don’t know what will). Starring the socially awkward Lunella Lafayette (whose creators have commented may be on the spectrum), this new series follows the disruption caused to the academically excelling student after a chance run-in with the titular Devil Dinosaur.
Should you watch it? It’s no secret that I am a bit of a geek… okay, I’m a lot of a geek, so when I say that Lunella Lafayette is one of the greatest additions to Marvel’s pantheon of heroes, know that this is kind of a big deal. Add to this the fact the series is going to be produced by the Matrix’s own Lawrence Fishbourne and set in the same universe as all the Avengers films, and it’s safe to say that this is a show I will have on my to-watch list and you should too!
10. Resident Alien
Genre: Mystery/Dark Comedy
Release Date: January 27th 2021 (Season 1)
Plot: After crash landing into a small town in Colarado, a shape shifting alien named Harry assumes the role of a local doctor, gets wrapped up in a murder mystery and wrestles with the moral dilemma of his newfound role and the secret mission he was originally sent to Earth for.
Should you watch it? Okay, so this one technically isn’t an autism show (and you could even consider it somewhat of an insult for including it). Yet, I believed it deserved a place on this list today as 1. I really wanted to have a list of ten shows (and not an awkward nine) and 2. Despite it not being a direct autism show, its depiction of what life is like as an outsider has resonated with the autism community and, subsequently, resulted in many great autistic think pieces over the last couple of months. Autism aside, I also found the show entirely captivating from the very first scene and easily consider it the greatest sleeper hit of 2021.
Carry on the Conversation:
Which of these shows will you be watching and, if you have already started a few, which would you be most likely to recommend? Let me know in the comments below. And, if you would like to momentarily move your gaze away from the digital, why not check out one of the many awesome autism books for 2021 – all of which can be found in this post titled: 10 Unmissable Autism Books to Look Forward to in 2021.
As always, I can also be found on Twitter @AutismRevised, on Instagram and via my email: AutisticandUnapologetic@gmail.com.
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Thank you for reading and I will see you next time for more thoughts from across the spectrum.
