The A Word, which first aired on the BBC in 2016, is set to arrive on Netflix very soon. The drama boasts an exciting cast and is described by the streamer as a “heartfelt” and “sincere” series, with the logline revealing it focuses on a family whose youngest, five year old Joe (played by Max Vento), has been diagnosed with Autism.
Morven Christie – whose previous roles include The Bay, Grantchester and The Replacement – stars alongside Lee Ingleby (of ITV’s The Long Shadow and Netflix’s Criminal: UK), with the pair playing Joe’s parents.
The cast also includes Doctor Who’s Christopher Eccleston, Molly Wright (Our Girl), Vinette Robinson (Boiling Point) and Greg McHugh (A Discovery of Witches). In addition, Ralf Little (Death in Paradise) and Julie Hesmondhalgh (Mr Bates vs The Post Office) also appear in guest roles for a few episodes.
The A Word was largely well-received by critics at the time as it has an 89% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, with The Standard calling it a “a compelling family drama with emotionally rich and complex characters”.
Stuff wrote: “For the most part this is a quality piece of drama tackling an emotional issue. There’s some great writing, some good performances and enough moments of warm humour to leave you feeling just a little bit uplifted.”
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“It’s an absolute gem, delightful and thoughtful, serious, sad and also ridiculously funny,” praised The Hollywood Reporter.
Fans on IMDb have also been full of praise, with one even branding The A Word ‘one of the best TV dramas’, also calling it “touching”. Another viewer also called it “the best drama I’ve ever seen”, adding that they “couldn’t stop watching it”.
The A Word ran for three seasons, with the finale airing in 2020 and the series concluding on an emotional and dramatic note. The drama was a hit with audiences and sparked a follow-up spin-off called Ralph and Katie, focusing on those two characters.
The A Word’s Peter Bowker was back on board for the new show, and said of the spin-off at the time: “Ralph and Katie is a natural step forwards from the ongoing ambition of The A Word to increase representation and diversity both on and off screen.
“Equally exciting is the opportunity to work again with two young actors as talented as Leon and Sarah.”
The A Word will arrive on Netflix on 1 March. Both The A Word and Ralph & Katie are also available on BBC iPlayer.
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TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Â Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK’s biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. Â As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world’s oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).Â