Actor Steve Way praised series creator Liz Meriwether for depicting a romance involving his disabled character in the Hulu series "Furious".
The depiction is significant because disabled actors are rarely given the opportunity to engage in romantic storylines in mainstream television. By centering a romance between Way's character, Alden, and the mysterious Catherine, the series challenges traditional casting tropes that often sideline disabled performers from romantic leads.
Way, who has muscular dystrophy, said the role allowed him "to play a different side of myself" [1]. He said the series provides a rare chance for disabled actors to fall in love onscreen [3]. Way said the approach taken by Meriwether was a beautiful and healthy way to portray disabled love [1].
According to reports, Meriwether specifically chose to include this romantic arc to provide rare on-screen representation [1, 3]. The storyline pairs Alden with a femme-fatale character, moving beyond typical narratives that focus solely on the medical or caretaking aspects of disability [2].
Way has been vocal about the need for more diverse opportunities in the industry. In a separate discussion regarding his career, he said, "I want an agency to whore me out" [2].
The series was published in 2026 [1]. It continues to draw attention for its casting choices and its effort to integrate disabled performers into complex, multi-dimensional roles that include romantic agency.
“"Furious" lets me do something disabled actors rarely get to do onscreen: fall in love.”
The inclusion of a romantic arc for a character with muscular dystrophy marks a shift toward 'authentic casting' in streaming media. By decoupling disability from a lack of romantic agency, the production moves toward a more holistic representation of disabled lives, potentially encouraging other creators to move beyond the 'inspiration' or 'tragedy' tropes common in Hollywood.
