At Long Last, We Have an Autistic Leading Character on TV 

On the 8th January 2025 a new six part Police TV drama was on our screens, and it’s simply because of the main character I cannot be more thrilled about it if you ask me. The series in question is a drama serial called Patience. Now you may be thinking what’s so special about it… well it’s not so much as what makes it special but rather what makes it different. The lead character is a female called Patience, hence the name, however, she happens to be Autistic and to topic it off the actress who plays her is also Autistic.

Now you may thinking that we’ve no doubt had Autistic lead characters in Police dramas on TV before and for all I know the BBC series Sherlock would probably come to mind. In all fairness I couldn’t say I blame you as even I’ve wondered whether Benedict Cumberbach’s Sherlock was Autistic… well his behavior was an inkling and he was socially awkward so I can’t blame you but it was never really addressed if was or not.

In Patience though she is Autistic as it’s addressed there and then in the first episode and in doing so we get to learn a fair bit about Patience herself and her Autism. There’s not being able to move from one puzzle to the next until the current one’s been solved, the social awkwardness. We also see misunderstandings and issues around communication, not because of speech impediment but because she tries to talk on certain levels that non-neuro diverse people don’t always get.

What we do get, and this is what I’m glad that they didn’t leave out was that her character was depicted as loyal, honest, straightforward and direct, but biggest one of all was her attention to detail. What many people missed she picked up on, there was even moments where she saw things from a different angle to everyone else.

I myself am Autistic and this is something that I have long since spoken quite openly, and passionately about. Whilst there are many narratives about the Autistic Spectrum a lot of them have always been negative and stereotypical which in many ways is as patronising as it is insulting. Watch the episodes and there are moments when there are non-neurodiverse characters that don’t know how to act around Patience, or just assume that she’ll behave in a certain way.

One of the only other characters who actually understands her, how she thinks and views her environment and the world is her closest friend who is happens to be Autistic. Billy Thompson played by Scottish actor Connor Curren, who like Ella who portrays Patience herself, is also Autistic. Straight from the get go our lead has a confidant. And to top it off we’re also introduced to an Autism Support Group.

What caught my attention about the group in that scene is that even the character in charge was also Autistic. 

Just being serious here though for a moment, if you’re going to have an Autism Support Group then why not have it led by someone who has got the exact same Disability as those in the group? Makes sense doesn’t it and they can see when any form of Triggered behaviour is about to begin. 

Sadly the series has since concluded, and that it was a shortish six-parter I would genuinely welcome a second series. In fact I am insistent on it. I would like to see more TV programmes where Autistic people are cast in the lead parts and can help break many useless taboos whilst they’re at it. It’ll give Ella another opportunity to show off her acting skills, plus I wouldn’t mind seeing her get back into the saddle and play Patience again for a second time.

On the flip side of this, if she does not then hopefully a TV Producer out there, somewhere decides to give us another series where an Autistic character is one of the lead, or the lead. With any hope this will have helped to challenge and change people’s attitudes towards Autism. I know that Patience is just a fictional character but she’s played by an Autistic actress so hopefully that should help encourage further platforms for both progression and changes 

Here’s hopefully to a second series of Patience, come on Channel 4, give us another serving 

Channel 4 announces new crime drama Patience starring Laura Fraser and Ella Maisy Purvis | Channel 4