Filming has begun on the third series of popular BBC drama, The A Word, which stars Ninth Doctor actor, Christopher Eccleston as Maurice Scott, grandfather of Joe (Max Vento), who is on the autistic spectrum.

The show, which first aired on BBC1 in March 2016, made a great impact, exploring the lives of the Hughes family as they adapted to a new dynamics within their family. This third series finds Joe’s parents, Alison (Morven Christie) and Paul (Lee Ingleby) having split up and living 100 miles apart, meaning Joe has a lot to deal with – as does his sister, Rebecca (Molly Wright).

Writer, Peter Bowker says:

“It is a joy to be revisiting the world of the A Word, to move the story of the Hughes family on, and to have the opportunity to expand our celebration and examination of diversity and humanity in all its myriad forms. The BBC has been incredibly supportive of this show and deserve our thanks and support at a time when it continues to be attacked on behalf of the ignorant by those who should know better.”

The official synopsis for Series 3 reveals:

“Joe is 10 and living in two places at once, processing the seismic change in his life through the filter of his autism. Alison and Paul are divorced and live 100 miles apart. Nicola has moved to London. Eddie lives with his dad. Rebecca has just realised she’s pregnant. Only Maurice is holding it together. And if Maurice is the one holding it together, you know you are in trouble.

“A family is always a puzzle and this one needs piecing back together, albeit in a different shape.”

Doctor Who alumni, Marcus Wilson serves as executive producer, while Piers Wenger remains Controller of BBC Drama, so also has a part in its production, albeit not as hands-on as Wilson and Executive Producers, Lucy Richer, Patrick Spence, Peter Bowker, Howard Burch, Avi Nir and Keren Margalit.

The A Word is expected to air on BBC1 later this year.