Netflix renews Ryan O’Connell’s Special for an eight-episode second season.
Special, a comedy series based on creator and star Ryan O’Connell’s memoir-manifesto I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves, has been renewed by Netflix. The series follows the story of a gay man living with mild cerebral palsy who chooses to pursue the life he wants.
Produced by Emmy-winning actor Jim Parsons (The Normal Heart, The Big Bang Theory), Special received worldwide praise and earned four Emmy nominations in the short-form categories.
O’Connell will return for season two as Ryan Hayes, plus Jessica Hecht is coming back as his mother Karen Hayes, Punam Patel as Kim Laghari, Marla Mindelle as Olivia, Augustus Prew as Carey and Patrick Fabian as Phil.
Related | Netflix Star Brian J. Smith Comes Out as Gay
According to reports, Warner Horizon Scripted Television will accompany Warner Bros. Digital Networks’ Stage 13, and That’s Wonderful Productions as producers for season two.
“Getting the show made has been a f—ing journey,” O’Connell told Variety after the first season was announced. “This might shock you, but putting a gay disabled lead on TV isn’t an instant sell. It takes time, perseverance, and a sprinkle of delusion.”
“I think that comedy is the greatest hope to normalize disability because people don’t know how to act, they’re really nervous around disability, and I think [to give] them permission to laugh; it makes everyone feel more at ease,” O’Connell says. “Disabled people are strong, powerful people, and they need to be included in the conversation.”
You can stream the first season of Special on Netflix and watch the trailer below.
