Emmerdale actor Bradley Riches has responded with sincerity and strength to online trolling aimed at his character, Lewis Barton, who is autistic and openly gay.
Far from shying away, Bradley is turning hurtful comments into opportunities for awareness and change.
In an interview with ITV News, Bradley dismissed remarks labelling Lewis as ‘the most vile person in the village’, saying that such harsh judgments arise from a lack of understanding.
He said: ‘No, he’s not. You just don’t understand him. A lot of neurodivergent people get viewed like this all the time: misjudged and prejudged
He is autistic, he is openly gay, and I think a lot of these comments stem from people not meeting or knowing someone like that
The more we expose people to these kinds of people, the world will be more accepting. That’s why representation is key.’
He also shared his thoughts on Lewis’ love life in his conversation with Inside Soap:
‘At the moment, I love Lewis just being himself and showing that you don’t need a partner. He’s never had a boyfriend, but he knows that he likes boys
I definitely think he would be open to getting to know someone if the right person came along. It takes him a while to trust so it would be a slowburner if he did fancy someone, but it would be very exciting.’
Bradley’s portrayal of Lewis Barton is historic for Emmerdale, as it introduces the soap’s first neurodivergent character. Lewis, a university student from Leeds, is a long‑lost Barton brother who finally reaches out to his sibling Ross. Bradley was originally offered a different role but found Lewis a much more authentic fit.
Speaking to The Sun at this year’s British Soap Awards, he explained that producers welcomed his input on scripts to ensure the portrayal felt genuine. For example, he adjusted language to say ‘I’m autistic’ rather than ‘I have autism’, aligning with identity-first language preferred within the autistic community.
His storyline has already stirred dramatic tension in the village when Lewis discovers the truth about his biological mother’s fate, exposing long-buried secrets in the Barton family.
Before joining Emmerdale, Bradley attracted public attention through his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2024. The Heartstopper star entered the house as an advocate for neurodiversity, shedding light on navigating overwhelming sensory environments, like dealing with harsh lighting and breaking from routine.
During his time on the show, his grandfather passed away, which he revealed upon leaving. He ultimately exited through a surprise backdoor eviction just before the final.
Bradley Riches continues to challenge stigma, aiming to make television more inclusive. His portrayal of Lewis Barton and his openness about neurodivergence are helping reshape how audiences understand difference.
