Love on the Spectrum is an American reality television show. Based on the Australian version by the same name, it follows people on the autism spectrum as they explore the dating world. The show is produced by Northern Pictures for Netflix[1] and is co-created, directed, and co-produced by Cian O'Clery.
| Love on the Spectrum | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Reality show |
| Created by | Cian O'Clery |
| Based on | Love on the Spectrum by Cian O'Clery |
| Directed by | Cian O'Clery |
| Composers | Mitch Stewart, Adam Gock, Brontë Horderm, Dinesh Wicks and Robert Allen Elliott |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Karina Holden, Cian O'Clery |
| Cinematography |
|
| Editors |
|
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production company | Northern Pictures |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | May 18, 2022 – present |
| Related | |
| Love on the Spectrum (Australian TV series) | |
Originally, the show was referred to as Love on the Spectrum U.S.
Release
editLove on the Spectrum U.S. first aired on Netflix on May 18, 2022.[2][3] A second season, which was announced in September 2022, premiered on January 19, 2024.[4] On April 2, 2024, Variety reported that O'Clery announced that it was renewed for a third season.[5][6]
Cast
edit| Cast member | Seasons | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | |
| Dani Bowman | Main | |
| James Jones | Main | |
| Abbey Romeo | Main | |
| Kaelynn Partlow | Main | |
| Steve Spitz | Main | |
| Subodh Garg | Main | |
| David Isaacman | Recurring | Main |
| Connor Tomlinson | Main | |
| Tanner Smith | Main | |
| Journey | Main | |
| Jennifer Cook O'Toole | Relationship coach | |
Episodes
edit| Season | Episodes | Originally released | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First released | Last released | |||
| 1 | 6 | May 18, 2022 | ||
| 2 | 7 | January 19, 2024 | ||
Season 1 (2022)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Episode 1" | May 18, 2022 |
| 2 | 2 | "Episode 2" | May 18, 2022 |
| 3 | 3 | "Episode 3" | May 18, 2022 |
| 4 | 4 | "Episode 4" | May 18, 2022 |
| 5 | 5 | "Episode 5" | May 18, 2022 |
| 6 | 6 | "Episode 6" | May 18, 2022 |
Season 2 (2024)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 1 | "Episode 1" | January 19, 2024 |
| 8 | 2 | "Episode 2" | January 19, 2024 |
| 9 | 3 | "Episode 3" | January 19, 2024 |
| 10 | 4 | "Episode 4" | January 19, 2024 |
| 11 | 5 | "Episode 5" | January 19, 2024 |
| 12 | 6 | "Episode 6" | January 19, 2024 |
| 13 | 7 | "Episode 7" | January 19, 2024 |
Reception
editSimilar to the original Australian series, Love on the Spectrum U.S. has received positive reviews from critics. The show has garnered an 8.2/10 on IMDb,[10] 100% on Rotten Tomatoes,[11] and a "Stream it!" from Decider among others.[12] The American version, made by the same team as the Australian version, was highlighted as having positive improvements from the Australian version. The American version expanded the age range of the cast featuring 63-year-old Steve, diversified the previous dating experiences of the cast whether through online dating, highschool relationships, or relationships with people not on the spectrum, featured a dating coach and expert who herself is on the spectrum, and cast participants with disabilities in addition to autism (ADHD, dyslexia, etc.).[13][14] Not all of the differences were praised, however; the absence of LGBTQ relationships in the first season was critiqued. In season two, Journey, a lesbian, joined the cast.[15] It was also later revealed that Dani, who is shown only going on dates with men in the show, is pansexual.[15] Another critique was the lack of attention for couples on the spectrum who were already together as was done on the Australian version. In season two, Abbey and David, who were introduced and started dating on season one, had their story followed both in their hometown and on their trip to Africa to see their favorite animal, the lion.[16]
Autistic audiences generally enjoyed the portrayal of autism. Allison Wall wrote, "Yes, there are problem areas, but in my estimation, the positives outweigh the negatives. Autistic people are shown as empathetic, humanized individuals with a variety of abilities and skills, with agency, as adults, in romantic situations."[17] Wall did question the settings for dates. Many dates happened in restaurants or 'typical' date settings that Wall notes "An environment like that, for me, is not conducive for getting to know a stranger... Would it have been difficult to tailor the dating environments more to what the participants were comfortable with?"[17] Cian O'Clery, the co-creator, director, and producer stated in an interview with Mashable that "...it's all about what that particular person wants and needs. Some go to a restaurant if they want to go to a restaurant."[14] Jill Escher of the National Council on Severe Autism notes that members of the autism community may feel as if Love on the Spectrum is a "goofball charade that too conveniently sidesteps the trauma and poverty pervasive among autism families" but also points out that "...for the majority of viewers I do think they will walk away more curious, patient, and caring about autism – which is definitely a gift from Netflix to the autism community."[18]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Association | Category | Nominees | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program | Laura Ritchie, Kat Elmore and Jeffrey Marx | Won | [19][20] |
| Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program | Rachel Grierson-Johns, Simon Callow-Wright and John Rosse (for "Episode 1") | Won | |||
| Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program | Cian O'Clery, Karina Holden and Stephanie Haber | Won | |||
| 2024 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Casting for a Reality Program | Cian O'Clery, Sean Bowman, Marina Nieto Ritger, and Emma Choate | Won | [21] |
| Outstanding Directing for a Reality Program | Cian O'Clery (for "Episode 7") | Won | |||
| Outstanding Picture Editing for an Unstructured Reality Program | Rachel Grierson-Johns, Leanne Cole, Toby Stratmann and Gretchen Peterson (for "Episode 7") | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program | Cian O'Clery, Karina Holden and Marina Nieto Ritger | Nominated |
External links
edit
References
edit- ^ "Love on the Spectrum US". Northern Pictures. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ "Get Ready for the US Version of 'Love on the Spectrum'". Netflix Tudum. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ "Love on the Spectrum U.S. release date, synopsis, trailer and more". Netflix Life. May 4, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ White, Peter (September 22, 2022). "'Love on the Spectrum' Renewed For Season 2 & 'The Ultimatum' Expanding at Netflix". Deadline. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (April 3, 2024). "'Love on the Spectrum' Renewed for Season 3 at Netflix (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ Wallace, Debra (April 8, 2024). "'Love on the Spectrum' Renewed for Season 3: What to Expect, According to the Show Creator". Parade. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
- ^ "Meet the Passionate Cast of 'Love on the Spectrum U.S.'". Netflix Tudum. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ "Meet The Charming Cast of 'Love on the Spectrum U.S.'". Esquire. May 18, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ Stang, Kaila (January 27, 2024). "Where's the 'Love on the Spectrum' Season 2 Cast Now?". TV Insider. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ Love on the Spectrum U.S. (Documentary, Comedy, Drama), Dani Bowman, Abbey Lutes, James B. Jones, The Werk Howse, Northern Pictures, May 18, 2022, retrieved January 29, 2024
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Love on the Spectrum U.S. Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ "'Love on the Spectrum U.S.' Netflix Review: Stream It Or Skip It?". Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ Persaud, Christine (May 20, 2022). "Love on the Spectrum: 10 Differences Between The US And Australian Versions". ScreenRant. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Luna, Elizabeth de (June 8, 2022). "'Love on the Spectrum U.S.' is a delightful, drama-free take on dating shows". Mashable. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Hall, Nico (January 23, 2024). ""Love on the Spectrum" Fails to Give Its Queer Woman the Dates She Deserves". Autostraddle. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Wangu, Elah (January 28, 2024). "Love on the Spectrum US Season 2: Abbey & David's Relationship Timeline". ScreenRant. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Wall, Allison (May 28, 2022). "Love on the Spectrum U.S.: Representation or Exploitation? A Review". Allison Wall. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ ""Love on the Spectrum US": A Pageant of Hope and Heartbreak – NCSA". National Council on Severe Autism. January 8, 2023. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ "74th Emmy Awards Complete Nominations List" (PDF). Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 15, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ "First Group of 2022 Creative Arts Emmy Winners Announced" (PDF). Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. September 3, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
- ^ "76th Emmy Awards Complete Nominations List" (PDF). Television Academy. July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 18, 2024.