The groundbreaking children’s show A Kind of Spark features neurodiverse talent and treats its main character unlike almost any other on television. It’s cool, fun and powerful
Never before has there been a cool, edgy kids TV shows that can attest to hiring neurodivergent crew members, neurodivergent consultants, and neurodivergent actors. The script was adapted from a book written by a neurodivergent author who was also one of the show’s screenwriters. That is, until now.
“It was the most accessible experience I’ve ever had at work,” says Elle McNicoll, author of the children’s bestseller A Kind of Sparkand one of the screenwriters for its adaptation as a The day before the premiere of the CBBC drama about a young woman who investigates her town’s history of witch trials, she and three of the cast members, all of whom are neurodivergent, speak with me on Zoom. There is a noticeable buzz in the air after the first episode was aired the night before.
“It has to be autistic-led, I told the BBC. There’s a saying that goes, “Diversity is being invited to be party, inclusivity is being asked to dance.” What if, though, we hosted the event? What if our party was involved?” says McNicoll.
Watching A Kind of Spark is unlike any other disabled character-led story because the BBC and the show’s production company, 9 Story, immediately jumped on board and worked together to make this a remarkably inclusive series.
It centers on Addie (played by Lola Blue), who launches a witch memorial campaign after learning about the witch trials that took place centuries ago in her small hometown of Juniper. The neurodivergence of Addie and her older sister Keedie is revealed to viewers very early on, but it is largely incidental to the main story.
“It’s not a story about being diagnosed with autism or people ‘suffering’ with autism, which I’m very against, it’s a story about a girl who is on a mission,” McNicoll says. “Being autistic is a condition that permeates every aspect of your life, as was the case for Addie. However, this legacy is the subject of the tale.”
The Worst Witch comes to mind when I think of A Kind of Spark because so many of the scenes take place in the characters’ school. I tell the actors that they should be happy that they helped create a film that is not only really cool and fun, but also led by disabled people. There is no “poor them” pity narrative, there’s no “inspirational disabled child overcomes adversity” story arc. There’s just life.
“That’s a big part of this mission,” says McNicoll. “[Rather than just saying, “This is a disability story, everyone settle in, we’re going to learn a lesson,” I want to see more [disabled kids in] fantasy, sci-fi, and mysteries.'”
Through a masterful combination of cinematography and sound, A Kind of Spark invites the audience to experience the world through Addie’s eyes. The series’ depth makes it something that people of all ages can enjoy, and it has a profound effect.
“[In the book] I can only do so much to show people what it feels like to be autistic,” says McNicoll, “To me, the first episode’s powerful moment—when, for instance, Addie enters the library and all of a sudden, it’s very quiet—sets the tone for the rest of the series.”
When Addie and her sister Keedie (played by Georgia de Gidlow) are navigating through meltdowns and attempting to self-regulate throughout the series, sound and image are also heavily relied upon.
I question the actors about the experience of filming such powerful scenes. “I can still picture myself crying in a scene where Keedie was crying. Having to connect with that side of yourself can leave you feeling very vulnerable,” says De Gidlow.
The cast members are unanimous in their praise of the crew for their patience and understanding while working on set, which is another benefit of having so many disabled coworkers. “Later in the season, Addie has very visceral reactions to things and [when filming lots of takes] you’re doing it over and over again, which can be quite draining,” says Blue is proud of her job as the main character. “But I think it was handled in the best way possible, and we were as at ease as we could have been.”
Caitlin Hamilton, who is neurodivergent but portrays Nina, Addie and Keedie’s neurotypical sister, found the experience to be a little different. “I had to act and mask (hide aspects of oneself to better blend in with those around you). It was kind of exhausting – I’m used to masking at the beginning of the day, it’s how I cope and function,” she says. “However, by the end of the day, it was getting a little more challenging to pass for the character.”
She had never revealed her autism to her agents before assuming the role of Nina. “I was so scared it would limit the roles I could audition for,” Hamilton says. “Since they don’t know I’m anything else, I reasoned that it was okay when I was cast in this neurotypical role.’ I then revealed that I am autistic, and everyone said, “Oh, great!'”
De Gidlow chips in, gesturing towards herself and Blue, “We demonstrate how autistic people can portray other autistic people, and Caitlin demonstrates how autistic people can portray neurotypical people as well. Nothing about us can be categorized. Acting is acting.”
Acting is acting, after all, and these actors serve as a potent reminder that people who are disabled or neurodivergent are part of a rich, diverse community, just like non-disabled people, and that we are capable of much more than we typically realize. Hamilton adds: “I used to get so many remarks when I was younger that made me feel like I wasn’t good enough, but doing this makes me feel like: “Yeah, we can.”‘ We are capable of performing every task. That gives us such power.”
It is planned to adapt McNicoll’s fantasy novel Like a Charm, about a dyspraxic girl who can see magical creatures thanks to her neurodiversity, for television. Speaking about representation in television, she says, “More Black and queer autistic people are something I’d like to see, as well as more diverse representation in the autism community. I favor giving special needs kids the spotlight.”
Hamilton adds: “We haven’t even scratched the surface of the iceberg in terms of how much we could discuss. This is just the start, please.”
