From Silence to Spotlight

Emmerdale newcomer Bradley Riches has already made waves on-screen as the complex and endearing Lewis Barton. But off-screen, the 23-year-old actor’s journey is nothing short of remarkable.

Appearing on ITV’s Loose Women on November 21, Bradley offered a deeply personal look into his early life, revealing how autism shaped his communication—and how acting became his way out of silence.

Diagnosed with autism at age nine, Bradley didn’t use spoken words for formal communication until he was ten. Speaking with warmth and honesty, he told the panel: “I didn’t use words for formal communication until I was 10.” Instead, he relied on sound, movement, and communication cards to express himself.

“If my shoes weren’t feeling right, I would have a card and slap it to communicate with my parents,” he explained, drawing attention to the day-to-day realities of growing up with sensory challenges and non-verbal autism.

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A Drama Class That Changed Everything

Bradley credits one life-changing decision by his grandmother with setting him on the path that would eventually lead to his role on Emmerdale—throwing him into a drama class.

At first, it seemed like a long shot. But drama, he says, became a lifeline.

“Acting definitely saved me in a lot of ways,” Bradley reflected. “I would start listening to TV—like these American accents—and slowly over time, I was putting these accents on. Through characters, I kind of learned via myself.”

The process was transformative. What began as mimicry grew into self-discovery. “Through a character, I’ve kind of embedded: ‘OK, how would Bradley say this?’” he explained. “Through acting, it was escapism—and it was kind of changing.”

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Lewis Barton: A Role That Matters

Bradley’s portrayal of Lewis Barton, a character who is both gay and autistic, has resonated deeply with fans—particularly those from marginalized communities.

He admitted the role was impossible to pass up: “When I found out Lewis was an autistic character, it was… everything I do, every job I take, I’ve always wanted to fly the flag for the community I’m a part of.”

For Bradley, representation is not just a goal—it’s a responsibility. “Be it the queer community or the autistic community… when I found out Lewis was a double—gay and autistic—I was like, get in there!” he said with pride.

Bradley hopes to tell more positive stories of autism on screen. “I have always wanted to tell stories—autistic stories—especially positive ones,” he concluded.

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An Inspiration On and Off Screen

Bradley Riches isn’t just acting in Emmerdale. He’s making a difference. His story is one of overcoming silence, embracing identity, and using art as both mirror and megaphone.

As Lewis Barton’s story unfolds in the Dales, viewers now know that behind every line delivered on-screen, there is a real, powerful history of resilience—and a young man determined to change what representation looks like in British drama.

How important is authentic representation in soaps like Emmerdale? And which characters have inspired you the most?