Bafta-winning actor Lewis Gribben on Spectrum Sessions autism podcast
National Autistic Society Scotland launches new podcast series with a candid interview with the acclaimed young actor about the way his diagnosis affects his life and career.
In November last year, Scottish actor Lewis Gribben won a Bafta award for his moving performance as the grief-stricken ‘Danny’ in the film Somewhere Boy.
‘I never thought in a million years that I’d be up here,’ said Gribben as he took to the podium to accept his award. ‘I’m a boy with autism [and] never thought I’d become an actor. If you believe it, you can achieve it.’ He dedicated to the award to all those who feel like they don’t belong.
In the first episode of the Spectrum Sessions podcast launched by the National Autistic Society Scotland, Gribben shares his story. He discusses his diagnoses, the challenges he’s faced as an autistic actor, and the positive things that being autistic has brought to his various roles.
After a memorable, early part as young a drug dealer in 2017 film T2: Trainspotting, Gribben won roles on popular TV series such as Shetland and Silent Witness. This year, he’s been seen in the prestigious wartime drama Masters of the Air and is currently in production on Blade Runner 2099, a TV spin-off of the iconic sci-fi film.
In the new interview, he talks candidly to Heather Carson, Media and Communications Officer at the National Autistic Society Scotland.
Spectrum Sessions is available, for free, in audio format on Spotify and as video on YouTube. Its aim, say the producers, is to platform unfiltered autistic voices by providing a space for autistic people to share their stories.
Further episodes, to be released throughout October, include interviews with musician David Nicholson, author Chris Carse Wilson, Nuala MacDonald (the star of BBC documentary Nuala’s World) and Katie Forbes, Founder of Autistic Flair.
Heather Carson, the host of Spectrum Sessions, says: ‘It was wonderful to conduct the first season of interviews for Spectrum Sessions. Each of the guests had a unique story to tell, and I was able to relate to their stories in different ways. In the episodes, you will hear from people who were diagnosed later in life, and others who were diagnosed in childhood, and you’ll learn about how this impacted their views and feelings about autism. I hope you all enjoy the first season as much as I enjoyed making it!’
Katie Forbes, Founder of Autistic Flair and a guest on a forthcoming episode, adds: ‘I’m grateful for the chance to be part of Spectrum Sessions. Growing up, I struggled to come to terms with my autistic identity, which is why I created Autistic Flair—to help others on that same path. I hope that our conversation on the podcast creates a safe space for people to explore what being autistic means to them while feeling supported and validated.’
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