Netflix Unveils First Trailer for 'Special,' the Journey of a Gay and Disabled Man
Executive produced by Jim Parsons of ‘The Big Bang Theory.’
Following the announcement of shows coming to and leaving Netflix, the streaming service has unveiled the first trailer for Special.
The Netflix Originals series will span over eight episodes and follows the journey of Ryan O’Connell as a gay man living with cerebral palsy. Based on his own memoirs, I’m Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves, O’Connell will also serve as the producer and star of the show, portraying the ups and downs of what it’s like to be in his shoes. The trailer reveals the environment O’Connell faces, including his workplace, interactions with fellow co-workers and getting hit by a car, which as we learn, blames for his disability.
In an interview with Vulture, O’Connell also reveals his disdain for the misinterpretation of gay sex in modern films and wants to change this;
“I want to bring gay sex to the forefront in a very accurate, human way…We’ve been so hypersexualized, and it’s just assumed that we f*ck like rabbits. It’s also a really intense, emotional thing for us too.
It’s overwhelming because I know that Special is not going to speak for every disabled person’s experience. It can never be. You can’t speak for everyone. But when you’re one of the first people that gets the seat at the table, there’s a lot of pressure on you.
I hope that Special is a success so other stories can be f*cking told. Disabled people need to be empowered.”
Executive produced by Jim Parsons of The Big Bang Theory, Special will debut via Netflix on April 12, but in the meantime have a look at the trailer above.
For more entertainment news, here are all the TV shows and movies coming to Apple TV+.
