'The A Word': Meet Christopher Eccleston, Max Vento, Lee Ingleby and the rest of the cast of autism-centered drama
After airing to rave reviews in the UK, Season 3 of BBC-Sundance production 'The A word' is set to premiere in the US on Sundance TV. The show will follow a boy and his family as they deal with his diagnosis of autism and is based on Keshet's Israeli series 'Yellow Peppers'. Peter Bowker's six-episode season will revisit the funny, messy, mixed-up lives of the extended Hughes and Scott families as they struggle to meet the challenges of parenthood, disability, and separation and to hold the family together around the child who needs them all. Here are the main characters you need to know about on the show and the actors who play them.
Max Vento as Joe Hughes
Max Vento plays Joe Hughes, the boy whose autism diagnosis and how his family deals with it, is the main heart of the show. In Season 3, he is 10-years-old and living in two places at once because of his parents' divorce. He is processing the seismic change in his life through the filter of his autism. 'The A Word' is Vento’s first acting gig.
Lee Ingleby as Paul Hughes
Lee Ingleby plays Joe’s dad Paul Hughes. Adjusting to life as a divorcee, Paul is not only trying to figure out how to share custody for Joe without upsetting the child but also dipping his toe into romantic waters. Lee Ingleby is best known for his brief appearance as the Night Bus conductor "Stan Shunpike" in 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'. He is also nearing the end of his stint as DI John Bacchus in 'Inspector George Gently' as the series wraps up for good. He has also played George Mottershead in 'Our Zoo' and Alan in 'White Heat'.
Morven Christie as Alison Hughes
Morven Christie plays Joe’s mum Alison Hughes. Since the diagnosis of autism for her son, Alison has come a long way. In this season, she will be coping with how to co-parent with Paul since they are living 100 miles apart after their divorce. She is also moving on with a new love interest. Morven Christie has played Amanda Hopkins in 'Grantchester', Zoe Morgan in 'Hunted' and Fi Healey in 'Twenty Twelve'. She also appeared in the 2015 'Doctor Who' two-episode special 'Under the Lake' and 'Before the Flood'.
Molly Wright as Rebecca Hughes
Molly Wright plays Joe's older sister. In Season 3, she is back from university with a secret -- she is pregnant. Molly Wright is a relative newcomer, who also acted in the 'Apostasy' and 'Our Girl'.
Christopher Eccleston as Maurice Scott
Christopher Eccleston is Maurice, Alison’s father and Joe’s grandfather. He is abrasive, blunt and interferes in Joe's upbringing. A widower, his relationship with girlfriend Louise has grown since Season 2. But in this season, he has to deal with Ralph, Louise's son with Down syndrome deciding to get married and move out without telling her. Christopher Eccleston is most famous for being the Ninth Doctor and responsible for the successful reboot of the 'Doctor Who' series. He is the recipient of an Emmy Award and two BAFTA Award nominations. He has appeared in TV and film productions like '28 Days Later', 'Thor: The Dark World', 'The Leftovers', 'The Second Coming', 'Heroes', 'The Shadow Line', and the anthology series 'Accused'.
Eddie Scott
Greg McHugh is Maurice's son, Eddie Scott. Eddie had taken over running his father's brewery and in Season 3, he gets an offer to sell the brewery. But Maurice is quite clear about what he feels -- "It's not yours to sell," he tells his son. Greg McHugh played 'Howard', the socially awkward oddball in 'Fresh Meat'. He is also the creator of 'Gary: Tank Commander', the Scottish BAFTA-winning show in which he also starred in. He was also in 'All Souls: A Discovery of Witches'.
'The A word' will premiere on Sundance TV on November 4, 11 pm ET.