by Shaun Heasley | June 17, 2020
The creator of “Parenthood” is bringing a new series about the experiences of three young adults with autism to Amazon.
Amazon Studios said this week that it has ordered a “coming-of-age comedic drama” from Jason Katims that will stream on the company’s Prime Video service.
Based on an Israeli series, the show is about “three 20-something roommates on the autism spectrum, striving for the same things that we all desire: To get a job, keep a job, make friends, fall in love and navigate a world that eludes them.”
The roommates will be played by Rick Glassman, Sue Ann Pien and Albert Rutecki, all of whom are themselves on the autism spectrum, Amazon said.
“Having a 23-year-old son on the spectrum, it is deeply personal for me to get to tell this unique story of what it’s like to come of age as someone with autism,” said Katims who is a writer and executive producer for the show.
Katims previously was behind the NBC series “Parenthood,” which chronicled the life of a family that included a boy with Asperger’s syndrome.
The new series was originally titled “On The Spectrum” when the pilot was produced, but it is now untitled. Amazon did not say how many episodes have been ordered or when the show is expected to premiere.
“Jason Katims is exceptional at creating beautiful and relatable stories about deeply authentic characters, and this new series continues in that tradition,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. “This series is honest, touching and incredibly entertaining, with casting that delivers a unique and genuine perspective on universal themes that we know our global Amazon Prime Video customers will love.”