Summary
Summer is the perfect time to slow down a little, spend a few evenings on the couch, and get hooked on a new series. That’s why, for today’s Embrace feature, we’re recommending “Furious,” available on Disney, featuring Steve Way, an American actor, comedian, and writer with a disability, among its cast.
Summer is the perfect time to slow down a little, spend a few evenings on the couch, and get hooked on a new series. That’s why, for today’s Embrace feature, we’re recommending “Furious,” available on Disney, featuring Steve Way, an American actor, comedian, and writer with a disability, among its cast.
Steve Way is no stranger to the entertainment world. Alongside his work as an actor, he is also a stand-up comedian, bringing his own experiences and perspective into his comedy. On his website, you can discover more of his work and get a feel for his style. You can also watch one of his stand-up performances here: Steve Way – stand-up performance
His presence in “Furious” is interesting not simply because it brings a character with a disability to the screen, but above all because of how disability is represented: without rhetoric, without stereotypes, and without turning it into the sole focus of the story. It is simply one aspect of the character, who has a story, a personality, relationships, ambitions, and an active role within the narrative.
And this is precisely the value of representation.
Seeing people with disabilities on screen creates opportunities for recognition for those who live with disabilities every day, while also offering everyone else a more authentic perspective, less shaped by stereotypes. Television, cinema, and comedy all contribute to building our collective imagination: what we see represented—and, above all, how it is represented—influences the way we learn to understand the world around us.
This is why it matters that characters with disabilities are increasingly played by actors and actresses with disabilities. It is not simply a question of casting. It is about creating space for people who can also bring their own lived experiences to the screen, helping make representation more authentic, nuanced, and multifaceted.
And representation does not simply mean being there. It means having the opportunity to be a protagonist, to play different kinds of roles, to be funny, flawed, complex, in love, ambitious. It means portraying a person in their entirety, without disability necessarily having to be the starting point—or the destination—of their story.
Inclusion happens here too: through the opportunity to be present, tell your own story, and take up space that, for too long, has been narrated by others.
So, if you’re looking for something to watch on these summer evenings, “Furious” could be a great opportunity to have fun, get caught up in the story and, why not, reflect on just how much representation can make a difference.
Happy watching, and have a wonderful summer from Embrace! ☀️📺💙