ABC Picks Up Comedy Focusing On Special Needs

May 18, 2016

By: Michelle Diament

Source: disabilityscoop.com

A major television network is set to air a comedy about a family with a child who has special needs.

ABC has picked up the 30-minute series “Speechless,” the network has confirmed to Disability Scoop.

The show stars actress Minnie Driver as Maya DiMeo, a mother “who will do anything” for her husband and kids including her eldest son JJ, who has special needs.

“As Maya fights injustices both real and imagined, the family works to make a new home for themselves, and searches for just the right person to give JJ his ‘voice,’” according to the network’s description of the show.

JJ is played by Micah Fowler, an actor who has cerebral palsy in real life. He previously appeared in the 2013 film “Labor Day.”

ABC initially committed to a pilot for “Speechless” in January. Now, the network says it will air the series beginning this fall on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET right before “Modern Family.”