Advertisement

The A Word is returning for series 3 – with a Corrie star joining the cast

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

From Digital Spy

BBC One drama The A Word is returning for a third series – and Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh is set to join the cast.

The A Word, which follows a family hit by unexpected news when son Joe (Max Vento) is diagnosed with autism, is to begin filming its third series this week in the Lake District and Manchester.

The show will pick up two years on from the end of the second series, where things have significantly changed for the Hughes family. Joe is now 10 and living in two places at once, processing the major changes in his life through the filter of his autism.

Photo credit: BBC/Fifty Fathoms
Photo credit: BBC/Fifty Fathoms

Related: Christopher Eccleston's The A Word returns for series 2 with huge acclaim for its depiction of autism

Meanwhile, Alison (Morven Christie) and Paul (Lee Ingleby) are divorced and live 100 miles apart. It's only Maurice (Christopher Eccleston) who is holding things together, which isn't a good sign for the family.

As well as Hesmondhalgh, the regular cast members will also be joined by Sarah Gordy (Call The Midwife, Holby City) and David Gyasi (Interstellar).

Photo credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images
Photo credit: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

On coming back for a third series, writer Peter Bowker said: "It is a joy to be revisiting the world of The A Word, to move the story of the Hughes family on, and to have the opportunity to expand our celebration and examination of diversity and humanity in all its myriad forms.

"The BBC has been incredibly supportive of this show and deserve our thanks and support at a time when it continues to be attacked on behalf of the ignorant by those who should know better."

The A Word airs on BBC One.


Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Instagram and Twitter account.

('You Might Also Like',)