The A Word continues BBC One tonight with its second series – from the cast to first spoilers, here’s all you need to know.
The A Word, written by BAFTA-winning Peter Bowker, set in the spectacular setting of the Lakes, is the heartfelt family drama which has Joe, a boy with autism, at its heart.
Series 2 of The A Word picks up two years on from where we left it and Joe, who is played by Max Vento is changing. Greg McHugh and Vinette Robinson reprise their roles as Eddie and Nicola.
Now age seven, Max has begun to look at the world and finds he doesn’t fit in.
Writer Peter Bowker explains: “Autistic is a word Joe has heard but can’t yet understand. Different is what he feels, and fears might be something bad. It’s up to the whole family to help Joe make sense of who he is and his place in the world. But to do that, they must first be honest about themselves…”
The A Word cast
Maurice Scott (Christopher Eccleston), Louise Wilson (Pooky Quesnel), Rebecca Hughes (Molly Wright), Paul Hughes (Lee Ingleby), Joe Hughes (Max Vento), Alison Hughes (Morven Christie), Scott (Greg McHugh), Nicola Daniels (Vinette Robinson)
The six-part drama revisits the funny, messy, mixed-up lives of the Hughes and Scott families as they struggle to do their best as parents, carers, lovers… and to work out what’s really important in the face of nothing ever feeling normal.
Writer Peter Bowker says: “I am delighted that the show has resonated with a wide audience and am thrilled to have the opportunity to take the family and Joe further along their journey.
“Also delighted to be rifling through my musical history and calling it work.
“If the first series was about diagnosis and denial then the second series is about the journey that is undertaken when you ‘go public’ about the fact that your child is different.
“This series is both about being the family with a child that is different in a small community, as well as being a part of the wider ‘autism community’ and all that this entails.”
In tonight’s fourth episode, Paul (Lee Ingleby) and Alison (Morven Christie) attempt to reconnect, and Maurice (Christopher Eccleston) has a crisis during a fell race.
Spending more and more time back at home with Nicola (Vinette Robinson), Eddie (Greg McHugh) tries to teach Joe (Max Vento) to ride a bike.
The A Word airs Tuesday night at 9PM on BBC One.
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