The A Word: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 12 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	Your Score
7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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The A Word

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Season Details & Credits

Sundance Channel | SundanceTV | BBC One | BBC 1 | Season Premiere Date: March 22, 2016

Summary: The British series based on the Israeli show Yellow Peppers focuses on the dysfunctional Hughes family, whose seemingly perfect lives are shaken up by the autism diagnosis of 5-year-old Joe (Max Vento).

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama, Health & Lifestyle

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Season 1 Episodes

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S1:E6. Episode 6
Air Date: April 26, 2016
tbd
S1:E5. Episode 5
Air Date: April 19, 2016
tbd
S1:E4. Episode 4
Air Date: April 12, 2016

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Tim Goodman

Jul 13, 2016

It's an absolute gem, delightful and thoughtful, serious, sad and also ridiculously funny. It's one of those series that ultimately bites off a bit more than it has time to deliver on, but it's never short on ambition and the talent to pull most of it off. Read full review

Molly Eichel

Jul 13, 2016

[Five-year-old Joe Hughes (Max Vento)] doesn’t take direction, not because he’s obstinate, but because he can’t. Joe is also a wider part of the family portrait, which is one of The A Word’s greatest strengths. It shares that quality with another dramedy that used an autism-spectrum disorder to great narrative effect: Parenthood. Read full review

TV Guide Magazine Matt Roush

Jul 8, 2016

The emotions, tears and laughter ring true in this small but deeply moving and entertaining gem. [11-24 Jul 2016, p.17]

Rob Owen

Jul 11, 2016

The A Word is at its most affecting when the focus is on Joe and his parents. Read full review

Collider Allison Keene

Jul 13, 2016

The A Word’s world is small and deeply knowable, even to the point of discomfort. Yet it’s also warm, deeply affecting, and never loses its charm. Read full review

Gail Pennington

Jul 13, 2016

If The A Word sounds dark and depressing, it isn't. Joe's autism is the central plot point, but this is also a messy soap opera about a family that's always butting heads. Read full review

David Wiegand

Jul 12, 2016

The general conceit for the series isn’t the problem--it’s the ham-fisted execution. Bowker doesn’t trust his viewers to allow credible drama and character development to make his points, so he hits us over the head, repeatedly. Read full review

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User Score

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7.6

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User Reviews

PoeticDumpling

Jul 13, 2016

I agree with majority of the critics here. First off, this series is worth your time. Joe alone will win your heart and the journey of awakening the family takes is meaningful. Some of the side plots or sub-plots are a little weaker and you will be finding yourself pining for more JoeI agree with majority of the critics here. First off, this series is worth your time. Joe alone will win your heart and the journey of awakening the family takes is meaningful. Some of the side plots or sub-plots are a little weaker and you will be finding yourself pining for more Joe time, but stick with it. Sometimes the family members get dramatic and go on annoying tangents, but stick with it. Episode 3 has some excellent moments with a speech therapist. I am currently three episodes in. Also, as a music lover... this series satisfies with a solid soundtrack and wee lad singer, as well. There is a lot to love in this series. Sadly, the US will likely try to re-make it or something as usual. This series has already been renewed for Season 2 in UK which is a great sign, as well. The moments of humor and levity along with the strong magnetic central lead keep what could have been a too difficult or weighty series afloat upon watchable waters.… Expand

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Seasons & Episodes

76

Series Overview
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: May 5, 2020
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: November 7, 2017
Season 1

76
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: March 22, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E6. Episode 6
  Air Date: April 26, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E5. Episode 5
  Air Date: April 19, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E4. Episode 4
  Air Date: April 12, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E3. Episode 3
  Air Date: July 27, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E2. Home School
  Air Date: July 20, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E1. Diagnosis
  Air Date: July 13, 2016