Actress With Autism Stars on Freeform’s
“Everything’s Gonna Be Okay”

Freeform will debut a new comedy series this week staring actress Kayla Cromer. The half hour, “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay,” is about a 20-something who has to step up and take care of his two teenage half sisters when their father dies of cancer.

Cromer plays Matilda, one of the half sisters, a high schooler with autism. Cromer has the same developmental disability her character has, making “Everything’s” one of the only TV shows currently on-air to feature a person with a disability.

The show will tackle real issues, including navigating autism in high school, hormones, consent, parenthood, adolescence, family, and grief. The characters will learn how to find happiness even during a difficult time.

Last March, Cromer told press at a panel during the Freeform Summit that she thinks it’s important for people with disabilities to have representation on TV. “So many characters on television today, they’re portrayed by people that do not have a difference. And, honestly, people with a difference, we’re fully capable of portraying our own type and we deserve that right.” She also said this is the perfect time for autism to be talked about on TV. “With so many changes in the industry right now, why not now? Just give us our chance. Include us. We can do this.”

“Everything’s Gonna Be Okay” premieres January 16 with two episodes starting at 7:30 p.m. Central on Freeform. Check out the trailer below.