Variety Exclusive: Netflix picks up 'Love on the Spectrum' globally

Netflix Orders Unscripted Indian Matchmaking Series and Autism Dating Show (EXCLUSIVE)

Netflix has greenlit the unscripted dating show Love on the Spectrum, Variety has learned exclusively.

“Love on the Spectrum,” premiering July 22, focuses on young adults on the autism spectrum exploring the dating world.

“Love on the Spectrum” is a notable moment for mainstream content, as individuals with special needs are rarely represented on TV, especially in the unscripted space, although A&E’s critically-acclaimed “Born This Way,” which followed a group of adults with Down syndrome, was praised for its realistic depiction, winning several Emmys and receiving a Television Academy Honor in 2016.

“Love on the Spectrum” will center on young adults on the autism spectrum as they navigate the unpredictable world of dating.

The series is produced by Northern Pictures, a Blue Ant Media company, with the support of Screen Australia, in association with ABC Television. The show originally aired on ABC Australia in Nov. 2019, and will be branded as a Netflix original in all countries outside of Australia. Cian O’Clery is director and Karina Holden is executive producer. “Love on the Spectrum” will span across five hourlong episodes.

“Love on the Spectrum” is a notable moment for mainstream content, as individuals with special needs are rarely represented on TV, especially in the unscripted space, although A&E’s critically-acclaimed “Born This Way,” which followed a group of adults with Down syndrome, was praised for its realistic depiction, winning several Emmys and receiving a Television Academy Honor in 2016. ABC’s medical drama “The Good Doctor” revolves around a highly-skilled surgeon with autism, played by Freddie Highmore, and the network’s former sitcom, “Speechless,” revolved around a disabled teenager. And Netflix’s own scripted coming-of-age comedy “Atypical” centers around on a teenager with autism, and has been renewed for a fourth and final season.

As far as reality dating shows, television has seen a recent surge in the space that has been largely lead by “The Bachelor” franchise, thanks to competition from Netflix’s breakouts “Too Hot To Handle” and “Love Is Blind,” which has been renewed for two more seasons.