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As the hit series about a young boy with autism and his family returns, its themes of anxiety and adjustment feel more prescient than ever
At least you can rely on the magnificent fells to always be there. And perhaps also the man-mountain striding purposefully through them? The third series of The A Word opened with a shaggy dog story, told by the grandad and volunteer firefighter Maurice (Christopher Eccleston), which confirmed him to be as gloriously obtuse as ever.
Everything else in the lives of the Hughes Scotts seems to be in flux. Two years on from the events of the last series, Paul (Lee Ingleby) and Alison (Morven Christie) are living 100 miles apart – her in Manchester, him still in their Lake District town – and sharing the care of their now-10-year-old autistic son, Joe. Their daughter Rebecca (Molly Wright) is staying with Maurice on a visit home from uni, and Alison’s brother Eddie (Greg McHugh) has also moved in. Continue reading...