BBC1 ::::::::::::::::The A WORD:::::::::::::::::::::::

[RTKangaMummy]

I think this is going to be good

www.radiotimes.com/episode/d2ycmd/the-a-word--series-1-episode-1

Five-year-old Joe is a smart, musical kid. He spends his time with headphones on listening to alt-rock classics and knowing every line of the lyrics. He can be a bit quiet and uncooperative but nothing that overly troubles his parents – or at least, nothing they’ll admit to…

As we meet Joe and his clan in Peter Bowker’s well-worked drama (adapted from an Israeli series) it is the day of Joe’s birthday. Around him a wider family battle simmers nicely as Joe’s interfering grandfather (Christopher Eccleston) and humiliated uncle strike sparks off each other.

That domestic cut-and-thrust might be enough in itself, but we know the real driver of the story will be Joe’s condition. It’s only the slightest of spoilers to reveal that, as the title hints heavily, Joe has autism. His grandfather’s attitude is old school: “If there’s a problem with my grandson, we need to get it fixed.” It won’t be that simple.

ABOUT THIS PROGRAMME
1/6. New series. The various generations of the Hughes family, who all love, work and fight like any other clan, find they must learn to communicate all over again when the youngest member is diagnosed with autism. The opening episode of the drama sees the extended family reunite in the Lake District for Joe's fifth birthday party, but tensions soon rise among Alison, Paul and patriarch Maurice. Starring Morven Christie, Lee Ingleby and Christopher Eccleston.

CAST AND CREW

CAST
Alison Hughes Morven Christie
Paul Hughes Lee Ingleby
Eddie Scott Greg McHugh
Nicola Daniels Vinette Robinson
Joe Hughes Max Vento
Rebecca Hughes Molly Wright
Maurice Scott Christopher Eccleston
David Nowak Adam Wittek
Pavel Kaminski Tommie Grabiec
Linda Michelle Tate
Jane Joanna Bond
Sea Lily Verity Henry
Ralph Wilson Leon Harrop
Louise Wilson Pooky Quesnel
Martha Catherine Kinsella
Terry George Bukhari
Dr Eshell Siri Ellis
Dr Waite Mina Anwar
Receptionist Denice Hope
Dr Graves Daniel CerqueiraCREW
Director Peter Cattaneo
Executive Producer Patrick Spence
Producer Marcus Wilson
Writer Peter Bowker

[RTKangaMummy]

about to start

[FeedMyFaceWithJaffaCakes]

I'm ready for it

[RTKangaMummy]

bumpity bump

[Snazarooney]

Very excited! Loving it so far!

[CremeEggThief]

Watching. Good so far.

[stealtheatingtunnocks]

glad I'm catching this. Thanks for the reminder!

[TheWrathofNaan]

I think it's really clunky so far. Not a brilliant script or acting. Christopher Eccleston is too young to play a grandad!

[TooAswellAlso]

I like it.

The singing of the CBeebies song made me well up though, was what I always sung to mine.

My DS is a 9 year old HF ASD. This is rather good so far representation.

[FeedMyFaceWithJaffaCakes]

AMAZING soundtrack so far!!!

[Sirzy]

I am watching thinking "that's so Ds" to so many bits. I did manage to fill up at the party invite scene

[AYD2MITalkTalk]

Clunky was the first word I used too. The whole family talking about it in a group? The exposition? The ticking-off one by one of every symptom on the list and every stereotype? It might get better tho.

[FeedMyFaceWithJaffaCakes]

Chris eccleson isn't too young, but he is on the younger end of the spectrum. Let's give it a chance to warm up!!

[KimmySchmidtsSmile]

He just turned down a definite shag??!

[googlepoodle]

Dreadful so far. Acting awful but might be due to writing. No build up of the stress leading up to diagnosis.

[Helmetbymidnight]

I'm enjoying it

[MadauntofA]

Awful representation of the doctor

[FeedMyFaceWithJaffaCakes]

They don't think there's anything wrong...
They think he's just being him...

[KimmySchmidtsSmile]

The little boy playing Joe can act.

[woody2976]

Christopher Eccleston best thing in it. Disappointed so far.

[TheWrathofNaan]

Feed - I meant too old in the sense if he is playing grandparents now then that is really aging me!

I think the comedy elements is making this jar with me although I can understand why they would want to lighten things up.

[VertigoNun]

Marking my place for when I watch the recording.

[pigeonpoo]

I was thinking how good the boy actor is too

[FeedMyFaceWithJaffaCakes]

A dr would never EVER say that

[TheWrathofNaan]

Two appointments and he's diagnosed!!!

[FeedMyFaceWithJaffaCakes]

It took me at least six, and I was 17!!