Call it a kinder, gentler reality show, or a dating show like you've never seen before. Either way, “Love on the Spectrum” developed a loyal and enthusiastic audience eager to root for its neurodivergent, romance-seeking underdogs when its first two seasons, filmed in Australia, premiered on ABC in 2019 and 2021.
Created and produced by Cian O'Clery and Karina Holden, an American version of the show debuted to a strong response on Netflix in 2022. It went on to win three Primetime Emmy Awards, including Unstructured Reality Program.
A second season premiered in the United States in January. It saw the return of such warm and exuberant 2022 cast members as Dani Bowman, James B. Jones, Steve Spitz and established couple Abbey Lutes and David Isaacman. They were joined by newcomers Connor Tomlinson, Journey Early and Tanner Smith. And season 3 is already in production.
The Envelope recently spoke via Zoom with Australian-born O'Clery, who also serves as the show's director.
How did you decide who to bring back from Season 1 (US)? With so many viewer favorites, that couldn't have been easy.
The great privilege we have with this series is to be able to show the diversity of autism. And by continually introducing new people, I think it's a really nice thing for the audience to interact with. We just had to think about the people we thought were willing to continue these journeys and who really wanted to find love. and I guess [those] Who could use our support and the people the public loved?
Were there things you felt you couldn't do or accomplish in US Season 1 that you did do in Season 2?
Not necessarily. One of the best things about doing the first season in the United States was that we continued with the same tone and style as the Australian series. We were not pressured in any way to “big it up” or make it more dramatic or exciting. We were simply taking the same approach and telling people's stories in a sincere and honest way, knowing that their personalities, characters and stories are what will attract audiences.
You show a wide range of autistic characters, especially in this last season. What is your approach to that part of casting?
It is important to us that we are able to include people who have higher support needs and people who have lower support needs; people who date neurotypicals and people who date people with Down syndrome. It's about finding the right people we can match them with. Within that, I guess we just look for people who we think are attractive and interesting and have something to say, as well as finding a balance between personalities and the way people present themselves.
“Above all, I'm surprised to see how many people are okay with the process and have no problem being filmed on the first date of their lives,” says Cian O'Clery, executive producer of “Love on the Specter.”
(Anna Webber/Getty Images for Netflix)
The series avoids the reality show convention of seemingly forced or sensational conflicts. Is it a challenge to create the tension needed to keep viewers hooked?
It's hard to do when you have no competition. [within the series], you have no villains or manufactured conflicts. Not only that, the rules in terms of “grammar” of the series dictate that a scene feel like a scene. That is, we do not interrupt scenes with talking heads that help us tell a story; everything is just as it happened.
However, you do incorporate the occasional interview into the action.
Yes, but it's always one we've done on the fly during the day. [of the shoot]. And we would only use it if, for example, there was a natural pause in the scene. We try to keep our scenes really contained. So that's difficult too.
Have you found that once the cameras roll, your cast members find it harder than they expected to be filmed? Or is it just the opposite: they tend to act immediately?
Above all, I am amazed at how many people are okay with the process and have no problem being filmed on the first date of their lives. At times, people have felt anxious or needed to get away. Still, we have to do the best we can to make sure people are aware of what being filmed entails and are prepared to be a part of it.
I think for some people who haven't gotten into it yet [dating] world, it's a really scary idea to be out there alone. The fact that we're there, it's almost like we're this support system in a fun way.
What would you like audiences to take away about neurodiverse people after watching the show?
The main thing is to enjoy our series, get involved and, in the end, realize it. [you’ve] I just met all these people on the autism spectrum who are super diverse. Caring about them, understanding them and empathizing with them. Walk away and say, “I will never make assumptions about anyone because they are labeled autistic.”
