Ralph & Katie: BBC's The A Word spin off teased in trailer

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Any fans familiar with The A Word will remember the series, which followed a young boy, Joe Hughes (played by Max Vento) and how he and his family adjust to his autism diagnosis. Also in the series, which ran between 2016 and 2020, was Ralph Wilson (Leon Harrop). When viewers last saw him in The A Word, he had just married Katie Thorne (Sarah Gordy), and they both live with Down’s Syndrome. Ralph and Katie explored the next chapter of their lives and the way in which they tackle everyday issues relatable to all. Speaking to Express.co.uk and other media, the writers explained merging serious themes with lighthearted ones.

Episode one of Ralph and Katie sees the newlyweds after they have set up home in the Lakes, and life looks rosy.

The duo is then faced with the humorous issue of Katie’s friend, Emma (Jamie Marie Leary) who waltzes into the couple’s life – and home – after being dumped by her boyfriend.

However, other episodes centre around more serious topics.

One saw Ralph battling with fear over a cancer scare, an instalment which left viewers worried for the staple character.

Episode five saw Ralph facing an unexpected health problem, which prompted him and Katie to think about the future.

Discussing this episode, director James Hogg, who lives with cerebral palsy himself, explained the importance of mixing all themes.

“I never wanted to do a show about disabled people,” he commented.

“This is about us as humans, how we get through life and how we all try to get through life as best we can. It’s like the UK This Is Us.”

He went on to add: “Obviously with this particular episode I am making it sound a bit dark, the series is actually all very funny and uplifting!”

He went on to detail the way in which the cast and crew did everything in their power to cater for different peoples’ needs.

He stated: “People are sick of me saying it, I kept saying ‘We are going to change the world.’

And the things we put in place behind the scenes – we had coaches who helped us out immensely, we had interpreters, everything.

“We were pioneering, sometimes it didn’t work, sometimes it did.

“Everyone has different needs but for me, every disabled kid has a dream, and we should move heaven and earth to make whatever that child’s dream is accessible.”

Royle Family star Craig Cash also talked about the series, and while comparing himself to his character he admitted: “I hope I’m not like him!”

Craig, who played Dave Best in the hit comedy The Royle Family from 1998 to 2000, stars as Ralph and Katie’s harmless but awkward and interfering neighbour.

“I think he’s like a well-meaning pain in the a**,” Craig commented.

Talking about whether Brian’s occasionally thoughtless lines teach the audience, Craig said he “hoped so”.

“I don’t know, I do hope so,” he replied. “As I said, he is well-meaning but he puts his foot in it, I guess like everybody else does.”

When asked if Brian’s perspective is similar to how Craig himself views the world, he laughed.

“I don’t think so! I certainly hope not. I don’t think he thinks he’s being funny in any way, I think he’s just being honest.

“He’s a bit boring, he’s a bit kind of lonely, really. His wife’s left him, for obvious reasons!”

However, as the series goes on, Craig’s good-hearted nature is explored.

The cast and crew also teased a “second series” of the show, so fans may be able to look forward to more.

Ralph and Katie is available to watch in full on BBC iPlayer.

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