MF: But I got close! I got close, and that was exciting. I was like, "Wow, the climate's really changed." There isn't all this embarrassment around disability anymore. Because in the old days, all we saw were embarrassing portrayals of disability [and] disabled people that were problematic, to do with impairment and people's negative reactions. And all that sort of issue-based rubbish has fallen away now. I think people are really encouraging. They want to see better portrayals of disabled people, and if they can, they want to help make that happen. I mean, I'm directly talking to the television industry here, Chris, as you may or may not realise.
"Our time is now. There's never been a better time to be disabled in drama."
PS: Oh, I get it. The floor is yours.
MF: [louder] Our time is now. There's never been a better time to be disabled in drama. And, award hunters, all I'll say is this: we know traditionally that the quickest way to get an award is to portray a disabled person, but those days are gone. So, what are the new days? I would suggest the new awards coming are for the best new disability project: where the writing is essential, the acting is incredible, and it blows people's minds. That stuff's gonna get the big awards. My question to you in the television industry is, who's gonna take the plunge, and who's gonna be the copycat? That's all I wanna say. And who's gonna miss out completely?
Image Source: BBC America