“People think I don’t notice when they’re laughing at me, but I do.”
Autism is a developmental condition where people face certain problems with communication social interaction. This, however, has been misrepresented in films and TV shows umpteen number of times and has been very disrespectful to the community. Very recently, Sia got into trouble for her lack of empathy towards the autistic community in her film. However, very few shows have managed to achieve what Atypical did. After its initial hiccups in the first season with misrepresentation of autism as well as lack of representation on behalf of autistic people, the show which features a protagonist named Sam Gardner who is on the autistic spectrum, tried to amend itself and incorporate an all-encompassing view of autism. Second season onwards, the show not only employs various people with autism to be on Sam’s group therapy sessions but also incorporates humour and empathy while delving deep into the subject.
Created by Robia Rahis, this American sitcom revolves around the life of the Gardners. Although this dysfunctional family, initially, are wary of Sam’s autism, they gradually learn to embrace it and add a whole other level of wholesomeness to the show. Sam, who is at the cusp of teenage and adulthood, finds the first stirrings of love as he wants to engage more in social activities and interact with people. The show has well-constructed and witty dialogues, impeccable comic timing infused with empathy and support.
With brilliant reviews for its penultimate season, fans were a little disappointed when nothing was heard about another season. However, rumour mills are abuzz with the news of an upcoming fourth season and we decided to help ease fans’ tension by delving deep into the matter and finding out the truth. Here is everything that you need to know about the upcoming fourth season of Atypical. Is it the final season? Read on to find out.
Everything we know so far about Atypical season 4
Has Netflix renewed Atypical for season 4?
Atypical fans, fret not! After rumour mills were abuzz with the shocking news that the show has probably been cancelled, in February 2020, it was announced that the show was returning for its fourth and final season. While some fans saw it as a motif of “re-cancelling” the show, it is notably a good decision as creators get an ample number of episodes to bring a close to a well-thought-out storyline.
Netflix also released a short clip with a caption announcing that this was the Final Season of Atypical: “They’ve brought you laugh, tears, hugs and homies. Now see how the story concludes.”
Who are the cast members in Atypical season 4?
Netflix has not announced the addition of new characters for the fourth season. Following the storyline of the third season. Hopefully, none of the recurring characters shall be leaving the show, so following the previous seasons, Keith Gilchrist is playing the protagonist Sam Gardner. Jennifer Jason Leigh, Michael Rapaport are going to reprise their roles as his parents, Elsa and Doug Gardner while Brigette Lundy-Paine shall return to play Sam’s sister Casey. One can also hope for the return of other recurring characters that quickly became fan favourites, namely Sam’s Techtropolis co-worker and best friend Zahid played by Nik Dodani, his therapist Julia Sasaki played by Amy Okuda, Jenna Boyd’s Paige who is his girlfriend as well as Casey’s girlfriend Izzie, played by Fivel Stewart. With Sam in college, more of his professors, as well as his friends and classmates, shall be featured. His art teacher Professor Shinerock played by Eric McCormack and ethics teacher Professor Judd played by Sara Gilbert are also most likely to return and appear more frequently on-screen.
How did the cast react to the news about renewal?
The cast members seemed as pumped up about the news as the fans. Gilchrist even took to his Instagram to announce his excitement at being able “to bring this story to a close with you all”. Lundy-Paine posted quite a few photos and videos from the sets of Atypical and posted a heartfelt and cute message. “We Are Doing 1 More Season of Atypical! his show has brought me warmth, community and purpose and I hope it has done the same for you. We love you atypies, Cazzie nation, Zam Fam, Penguinos, Delsa stans (and Nelsa stans), Paigers and Juliams.”
The showrunner Robia Rashid, in her statement to The Hollywood Reporter, was quoted as being “excited” for the new season. “Although I am sad because the end of the series is approaching, I am tremendously grateful to have been able to tell this story. Our fans are great and great defenders of the series. Thank you for being so open to the voice and stories of Sam, and the entire Gardner family”, said Rashid. She went on to express her sincere “hope” for fans to remember that “the legacy of Atypical is that there are more voices that cease to be without listening and that even when the series ends, we will continue to tell emotional and funny stories from poorly represented points of view.”
What is the current Atypical production status?
In March 2020, when the world was a slightly better place, production was supposed to begin in the summer of the same year. However, after the pandemic ravaged shooting schedules and disrupted dates, all schedules were postponed indefinitely.
However, in October 2020, it was heard that production would most likely commence on January 13, 2021, and be wrapped up by March 24, 2021. While no official confirmation has been received from the cast and crew of the show regarding the end of their shooting schedule, one can hope to finally watch the season this year.
When will Atypical season 4 be on Netflix?
The showrunners have not specified a certain date but have promised a 2021 release, since the filming schedule has most likely wrapped up in the March of 2021, one can expect a mid-year release which could be around June 2021 or later.
The fans are waiting with bated breath to see what the fourth season has in store for us.
What can be expected from the fourth season?
The fourth season shall probably tie all the loose ends from the previous three seasons before bringing the show to a close in the tenth episode which shall be the finale. For Sam, the focus shall be on his newfound independence as he navigates his way through college as well as moves in with his friend Zahid while trying to balance his job as well. His “practice girlfriend” Paige, for whom he later caught feelings, will have an interesting role in this season as well.
As for Casey, it will be interesting to see where this season takes her. Season 3 ended with her sharing a public kiss with Izzie and commemorating their relationship as well as accepting the track scholarship to UCLA following Coach Crowley’s advice despite the initial dilemma. Whether Casey will be able to juggle her career and long-distance relationship shall also be a focal point of the show.
With both the children gone, Elsa and Doug Gardner shall have a lot of time to rediscover themselves as well as their marriage. After initial hiccups in this dysfunctional family which included Elsa having an affair with a bartender named nick, there was an unbridgeable rift between the two. However, they had resolved their issues and moved in together. It shall be interesting to note if the final season would see them redefine their respective roles as a spouse above that of a parent.
While we wait eagerly for the fourth season, let us quench our “atypie” thirst by taking a look at some fun bloopers and behind the scenes footage of the cast:
