A character in a new comedy series is so blatantly autistic it doesn’t need to be so much as mentioned at any point, the show’s neurotypical creator has said.
The show, What’s the Deal with Grizelda Grumpf, follows kooky main character Grizelda, whose mysteriously peculiar ways delight and frustrate every person around her.
Writer and creator, Karen Hoyland, 32, said: “Grizelda is adorably quirky. She blurts out exacty what she’s thinking at all times, dresses exclusively in primary colours and cries when she washes her hair because ‘it’s all wet now’.”
“It’s basically a story about one woman’s loved ones’ struggles to put up with her inexplicable behaviour, which we have opted not to explain,” she continued.
She added: “We haven’t said she has autism because we wouldn’t want to label her, but she’s loosely based on my six-year-old nephew, who has autism.”
Audiences have lauded the show as “heartwarming” and a second season has already been commissioned. Hoyland has hinted: “Mainly, it’ll be about Grizelda trying to work out whether or not she’s able to feel love.”
Like what you’ve read so far? Make us your new special interest! Help us grow The Daily Tism by sharing our articles, following us on Instagram, Bluesky TikTok and Facebook and subscribing to our Patreon for exclusive content that’ll have your neurotypical family saying “I’m not sure I’m the target audience”.
