Special (TV series)
Special is an American comedy-drama streaming television series that premiered on Netflix on April 12, 2019. The series is created by and stars Ryan O'Connell, and is based on his memoir I'm Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves. The show follows a young gay man with mild cerebral palsy who decides to rewrite his identity and finally go after the life he wants.
Plot[edit | edit source]
The series centers on Ryan Hayes, a gay man with mild cerebral palsy, who decides to take control of his life and pursue his dreams. After years of dead-end internships and living with his mother, Ryan lands a job at an online magazine called Eggwoke. He decides to keep his disability a secret from his co-workers, attributing his limp to a car accident instead. The show explores Ryan's journey towards independence, self-acceptance, and finding love.
Cast[edit | edit source]
- Ryan O'Connell as Ryan Hayes
- Jessica Hecht as Karen Hayes, Ryan's overprotective mother
- Punam Patel as Kim Laghari, Ryan's best friend and co-worker
- Marla Mindelle as Olivia, Ryan's boss at Eggwoke
- Augustus Prew as Carey, Ryan's love interest
Production[edit | edit source]
The series was produced by Jim Parsons's That's Wonderful Productions, in association with Stage 13. Anna Dokoza served as the director for the first season. The show was renewed for a second and final season, which premiered on May 20, 2021.
Reception[edit | edit source]
Special received positive reviews from critics, who praised its unique perspective, humor, and O'Connell's performance. The series was noted for its authentic representation of disability and LGBTQ+ issues.
Episodes[edit | edit source]
Season 1 (2019)[edit | edit source]
The first season consists of eight episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 15 minutes.
Season 2 (2021)[edit | edit source]
The second season consists of eight episodes, each with a runtime of approximately 30 minutes.
Themes[edit | edit source]
Special addresses themes such as disability, sexuality, self-acceptance, and independence. It provides a nuanced portrayal of living with cerebral palsy and the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Awards and Nominations[edit | edit source]
The series has been nominated for several awards, including the Primetime Emmy Awards and the GLAAD Media Awards.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- List of original programs distributed by Netflix
- Cerebral palsy in film and television
- LGBTQ+ representation in media
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
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- 2019 American television series debuts
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- 2020s American comedy-drama television series
- English-language Netflix original programming
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- Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios
- Television series by That's Wonderful Productions
- Television series about journalism
- Television series about disability
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
