Emmerdale's Bradley Riches Unveils Lewis's Future: A Deep Dive into Autism Representation
Emmerdale's Bradley Riches, who portrays Lewis Barton, has given an exclusive interview to The Mirror, shedding light on the character's journey and the actor's personal connection to autism. With groundbreaking and emotional scenes on the horizon, Richards offers a unique perspective on Lewis's experiences as an autistic individual.
Riches, who is himself on the autism spectrum, reflects on Lewis's social challenges and the impact on his mental health. He highlights the character's struggle with Kammy's housewarming party, a pivotal moment that will be explored further in the soap.
"Lewis finds it difficult," Riches explains. "He's a people's person and comes across as happy, but beneath the surface, there's complexity. We're going to delve deeper into this aspect of his character, offering a nuanced portrayal of an autistic individual's experiences."
The actor takes pride in bringing authenticity to Lewis, drawing from his own experiences to educate viewers. "Having Lewis on screen is a powerful tool to raise awareness," he says. "I like to infuse the character with my own traits, ensuring an accurate and relatable representation of autism."
Riches reveals that social situations can be particularly challenging for Lewis, mirroring his own experiences. "With autism, you wear a mask, and the meltdown happens when you get home," he shares. "I've had similar feelings, like saying 'yes' to parties and then needing Mom to pick me up two hours later. It's overwhelming, especially with strangers."
The upcoming episodes will showcase Lewis's reaction to recent events, including the party. On Thursday, November 20th, Lewis will face a queue of customers at work, triggering a panic attack and prompting him to rush home. This will lead to a concerned Nicola heading to Dale View, where she finds Lewis struggling.
Our Emmerdale source adds, "Fans will empathize with Lewis's dilemma. Despite his cheerful demeanor, he's aware that social situations can be overwhelming. The café queue scenario is a perfect example of how Lewis's anxiety can take over, leading him to retreat home."
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30 pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX. Stay tuned for more spoilers and insights into Lewis's journey.
