Episode originally aired: February 14, 2023
With the Netflix hit Wednesday returning for Season 2 and currently #1, this episode is more relevant than ever. We're on hiatus, but bringing this powerful conversation back into the feed for anyone snapping to the beat of Wednesday Addams.
Matt and Angela weigh in on Netflix’s smash hit Wednesday and the heated discussion around whether the titular character is authentically autistic-coded or just another case of “autistic face.” From flat affect and touch aversion to social outsider status, we dig into what’s real, what’s trope, and why representation matters.
🎧 What You’ll Learn
- Autistic traits in Wednesday Addams – Flat affect, sensory boundaries, focused interests, and rejection of social norms.
- Authenticity vs. performance – Why casting non-autistic actors in autistic-coded roles leads to caricature, and how Wednesday mirrors portrayals like Sheldon Cooper in The Big Bang Theory.
- The “fixing” narrative – How the show frames Wednesday’s arc around becoming more socially acceptable, softening her edges for mass appeal.
- Pretty privilege & palatability – How conventional attractiveness and familiar story arcs make autistic-coded characters more acceptable to allistic audiences.
- Media responsibility – Why we need autistic actors in autistic roles and better representation that isn’t filtered through an allistic lens.
Resources:
HERE WE WOE – “I’m neurodivergent and here’s my issue with Netflix’s Wednesday” 🔗 Read here
15 Ways Wednesday Addams is Cool and Autistic 🔗 Read here
Wednesday’s neurodivergent coding is both good and bad 🔗 Read here
Why neurodivergent characters like Wednesday Addams are so important 🔗 Read here
Related Episodes:
Episode 11: Sherlock is Autistic
Episode 30: Doctor Who is Autistic
Episode 41: Tim Burton is Autistic
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🌐 Learn more at www.autisticculturepodcast.com
💜 With Gratitude
🎙️ Executive Producers: Amy Burns, Anamaria B Call, Andrew Banner, Anna Goodson, Ashley Apelzin, Audrea Volker, Ben Coulson, Brian Churcek, Cappy Hamper, Carley Biblin, Charlene Deva, Chloe Cross, Clay Duhigg, Clayton Oliver, Danny Dunn, Daria Brown, David Garrido, Emily Burgess, Eric Crane, Erik Stenerud, Fiona Baker, Grace Norman, Helen Shaddock, Jaimie Collins, Jason Killian, Jen Unruh, Jennifer Carpenter, Julia Tretter, Kathie Watson-Gray, Kenneth Knowles, Kira Cotter, Kristine Lang, Kyle Raney, Llew P Williams, Laura Alvarado, Laura De Vito, Laura Provonsha, Lily George, Nelly Darmi, Nigel Rogers, Rachel Miller, Tim Scott, Tyler Kunz, Victoria Steed, Yanina Wood.
🎧 Producers: AJ Knight, Bobby Simon, Da Kovac, Katie N Benitez, Kate F, Kendra Murphy, Louise Lomas, Nicola Owen.
🌈 Celebrate autistic voices at AutisticCulturePlus.com
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