The Specials
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Webby-winning reality show encourages respect for diversity.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Specials
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
THE SPECIALS follows five young adults with intellectual disabilities who share a home in Brighton, England. There's Hilly, whose desire to live with her friends prompted her parents, Dafydd and Carol, to open a home and make her dream a reality. Lucy, the oldest housemate and the only one who's not a college student, holds down a full-time job at a local business. Her former boyfriend, Sam, has high hopes for finding a lasting relationship but in the meantime has fun just seeking it out. Lewis and Megan round out the group, starting the series as boyfriend and girlfriend but eventually settling on just being friends. The housemates' special needs are the result of Down syndrome, with the exception of Lewis, who has Williams syndrome.
Is It Any Good?
These 10-minute episodes are intimate glimpses of the ups and downs of the cast members' lives. By speaking entirely in the voice of the Specials, who rotate narrative responsibilities from one episode to the next in addition to appearing on-camera, the show forces viewers to adjust to the cast members' reality rather than relying on their own preconceptions about living with special needs. It's a remarkable and welcome change of pace from how intellectual disabilities often are portrayed on-screen, as the exception rather than the rule.
Even more remarkable is how easy it is to become engrossed in these inspiring characters' lives, rooting for their success and sympathizing with their trials. It makes for fantastic entertainment even as it strives to celebrate both diversity and the characters' uniqueness. The Specials is an excellent example of the value of purposeful reality TV that broadens horizons and educates viewers while escaping the sensationalist content that too often marks this genre. Such social value makes it well worth families' time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can compare the characters' lives with their own. Are their goals reflective of yours? Do their relationships on The Specials influence them in a similar way? What unique challenges do they face, and how do they cope with them?
Does this series feel exploitative in any way? How does it compare to other reality series similar to it? Kids: Why are viewers drawn to shows that sensationalize people's lives? Can anything be learned from that kind of entertainment?
Is diversity always a strength? How has our society evolved to better embrace the qualities that make each of us unique? What sets your kids apart from their peers? Do they feel pressure to fit in or conform to someone else's standards?
How does The Specials promote compassion and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 7, 2014
- Network: OWN
- Genre: Reality TV
- Topics: Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Compassion, Empathy
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: September 20, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate