As awareness of autism increases, the depiction of autistic characters in media is evolving. Rather than relying solely on stereotypical portrayals, new shows, like the British mystery series that debuted on Channel 4 in January, are highlighting characters with unique skills like those found in autism. In this series, titled *Criminal Record Crew*, the protagonist serves as a civilian investigator for the Yorkshire Police, leveraging the distinct abilities linked to autism during investigations.
Patience: Would you like to stream it or skip it?
Opening shot: A young woman places her notebook and clock in front of her, timing herself as she attempts to steal a link from a metal rod while a man makes a desperate attempt to withdraw £8,000 from the bank.
Key Points: The man, appearing dazed, insists on the money being withdrawn. After driving to the top of a parking garage, he discards an envelope full of cash before igniting it, leading to a tragic turn.
York Police’s Dee Be Metcalf, played by Laura Fraser, is tasked by her boss, Calvin Baxter, portrayed by Mark Benton, to investigate the circumstances. Initially thought to be a suicide, the victim’s connections prompt Baxter to seek further clarity.
Meanwhile, Patience Evans, played by Ella Maisy Purvis, is waiting for a bus to her role in the Crime Records Office at the York Police Department. A man who watches her daily attempts to speak with her, but she hesitates, providing her number with the caveat that she dislikes surprises and never answers calls from unknown numbers.
Bee uncovers that the deceased was a psychiatrist and recalls a similar incident from years past involving another professional in the same field. When she requests records related to other suicides, Patience pulls files that she believes follow a similar pattern.
Curious, Bee ventures to the Crime Records Office, where she discovers that Patience’s peculiarities aren’t appreciated by everyone. However, she sneaks into the archives and is impressed by Patience’s ability to link the recent case with prior incidents.
While Patience has identified more connections, she struggles with how to communicate her findings. When Bee responds with an unexpected “Yes?” instead of “Hello?”, it throws her off. Yet, Patience takes the initiative to visit Bee’s office to discuss her potential links to individuals affected by Scopolamine.
Curiously, when Bee observes how Patience lives her daily life—declining a ride because it disrupts her routine—it leads her to an adult support group for those on the autism spectrum. As members share their stories, Bee recalls traits she recognizes in her own son.
What shows does it remind you? *Patience* evokes feelings of *Good Doctor* combined with *Elementary*.
Our view: Crafted by Matt Baker and inspired by the French series *Astrid et Raphaëlle*, *Patience* effectively highlights the strengths of neurodivergent individuals. Purvis portrays how Patience excels at identifying patterns but also shows her struggles with social interactions and emotional responses, emphasizing that despite her unique brain functions, she’s not devoid of empathy.
Flashbacks reveal a young Patience (Ava-Grace Cook), who, alongside her police father, faces misunderstandings about her mental health, with a psychiatrist wrongly suggesting schizophrenia. Her godfather shares with Bee that, in the ’90s, autism was often overlooked in girls, and her father was in denial about her diagnosis.
The series portrays autism as a spectrum where behaviors are visible but manageable. For Patience, routines are vital, yet she can become overwhelmed, leading to periods of burnout. This representation resonates with those who interact with autistic individuals, as the understanding of autism’s complexity has evolved significantly.
Bee recognizes Patience’s value, particularly her knack for spotting things others miss, and hopes that as the series progresses, the rest of the team will come to see her as an asset rather than a mere oddity in the police force.
Sex and Skin: None.
Farewell shot: Patience is caught on camera in the parking garage, where she is questioned about her connection to one of the deceased psychiatrists, a man she once wanted to help as a child.
Sleeper Star: Maxwell Whitelock plays Bea’s son, Alfie. Their journey together will likely explore his neurodiversity, building on Bea’s experiences with Patience.
Most pilot Y-line: There’s little we can find.
Our Call: Stream. *Patience* showcases how neurodivergent individuals tackle complex roles like police work, despite occasional challenges with habits and routines.
