The BBC series returns with the former Doctor Who actor reprising his role as rough-around-the-edges good-hearted father Maurice Scott, alongside a stellar cast that includes Morven Christie and Lee Ingleby.
But now, the star of the Lake District-set drama has revealed that he thinks the programme should be getting more traction for its poignant depiction of a young autistic boy and his family.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Christopher, 53, confessed that he wasn’t surprised by the show’s popularity, saying: “No I wasn’t, because I knew the strength of the writing. What I was surprised about was that it was completely ignored by BAFTA, etc.
“Is it too ordinary? Is it too much about working class folk? Are people embarrassed by the issue? Is Pete [Bowker] being punished for apparently picking up a format?
“I mean, he picked up a format from an Israeli show [Yellow Peppers] but he’s completely and utterly reinvented it.”
The northern actor continued to express his frustration with the awards body, and even criticised its members for being “snobbish” over the series’ content.
“How Pete’s writing was ignored, and Morven and Lee’s performances, I’ll never understand that,” Christopher added. “There’s some snobbism going on and they’re certainly not looking at the viewing figures and the critical reaction.
“I don’t understand how The A Word is ignored over The Durrells – with respect to The Durrells, I don’t get it. I just don’t get it.”
Meanwhile, the star went on to reveal that he’d had the biggest response of his career to the series, even over the BBC’s sci-fi mega hit Doctor Who.
“The people who speak to me are so relieved that it’s dealt with in an honest and on-the-nose way, but with positivity and humour. Because they feel less judged by it, because they’re included in life and it’s also giving visibility to people on the spectrum and to the issue.”
The A Word season two premieres tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
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