Young actor Micah Fowler has been cast in ABC’s comedy pilot “Speechless,” which is about a family with a special-needs child.
Fowler — who has cerebral palsy in real life — will portray JJ, the family’s eldest child, who is nonverbal.
Minnie Driver will star as Fowler’s mother in the ensemble comedy that also stars John Ross Bowie (“The Big Bang Theory”) as Driver’s on-screen husband, Kyla Kenedy as the middle child and Mason Cook as the youngest. The potential series will revolve around the family as they tackle day-to-day challenges.
“Speechless” hails from “Friends” alum Scott Silveri, who created “Joey” and “Go On.” Silveri will exec produce with Jake Kasdan (“Fresh Off the Boat,” “New Girl”) and Melvin Mar (“Fresh Off the Boat”). Christine Gernon (“New Girl,” “The Real O’Neals”) will direct. Twentieth Century Fox is the studio.
Fowler made his feature film debut in Jason Reitman’s “Labor Day,” alongside Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin. “Speechless” marks his first major television gig.
Fowler is repped by Paradigm.
