Christopher Eccleston to Lead Cast of BBC One Drama The A Word

LONDON: Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who, The Leftovers) has joined the cast of the BBC One drama The A Word, which has begun filming for a spring premiere.

Other confirmed cast members include Lee Ingleby (Our Zoo), Morven Christie (Grantchester), Greg McHugh (Fresh Meat), Vinette Robinson (Sherlock) and newcomer Max Vento. The series will focus on a family who must learn to communicate once their youngest child is diagnosed with autism. It is based on a Keshet International and July August Productions format. BAFTA Award winner Peter Bowker wrote the six-part series.

Polly Hill, BBC controller of drama, said: “The A Word tackles parts of life that aren’t always easy and Peter has drawn on the absolute highs, lows and challenges so many families face when a child is different to other children, in a beautiful way. With Peter’s award-winning track record and history of drama tackling tough subjects, The A Word is set to be a rollercoaster of a series which is ultimately an uplifting, honest and human drama for BBC One.”

Bowker added: “We have the opportunity here to make something funny, tough, realistic and inventive about contemporary family life and autism. In a society where imperfection increasingly comes with blame attached, it seems timely to look at how autism is regarded both within a family and the wider community—and to give some insight into how that experience might be for the child on the autism spectrum. It’s a drama full of ideas about parenthood, about disability, about communication, about community, and will emphatically engage an audience whatever their experience of the subject.”

Eccleston remarked: “I’m very proud to be reunited with writer Peter Bowker on The A Word. This is a special job for us all. We hope the audience take us to their hearts.”