Love On The Spectrum star Michael Theo has nabbed his first big acting gig in ABC’s new comedy series Austin.
The reality star, who shot to fame after starring on the ABC series about neurodivergent singles finding love, plays the titular role of Austin, a forklift driver from Canberra with autism.
Austin enters the life of lead character, British children’s author Julian Hartswood (Ben Miller), who he believes is his father after the pair briefly met in London.
Speaking to ABC about his new role, Michael applauded producers for casting someone who has autism to play a neurodivergent character.
‘I think it [the script] was pretty spot on and I’m actually impressed they brought in an actor on the spectrum to play someone on the spectrum,’ he told Lindsay McDougall on ABC Illawarra Drive.
Theo, who has long dreamed of becoming an actor, said he was thrilled to score such an incredible role a few years after Love on The Spectrum was filmed.
He also revealed that the character of Austin was inspired by him, while his on-screen mother Mel (played by Gia Carides) was also inspired by his own mum.
‘I’m used to myself saying lines like that because I also don’t have a filter, like Austin doesn’t,’ he said.
‘There are some actors who play deadpan characters on my favourite shows and they crack me up every time.’
Love on the Spectrum followed seven young adults on the autism spectrum as they explore dating and relationships in the modern day world.
Although Michael was unlucky finding a girlfriend on the show, he won plenty of fans and publicity opportunities.
In 2021 he appeared on the Ellen show, and a month later launched a podcast called Mr A+, in which he discusses topics such as mental health, fitness and dating.
He also enjoyed a small cameo on TV series Hardball in 2019.
Austin airs 8pm Sundays on ABC.
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