Emmerdale star Bradley Riches has received an outpouring of support after sharing his emotional seven-year journey, coinciding with the launch of his new book. The actor, who joined the ITV soap last year as Lewis Barton, has been candid about his experiences with autism and mental health.
A Personal Milestone
Bradley made his Emmerdale debut as Lewis Barton, the son of Emma Barton and newcomer Kev Townsend. In the village, he has not only reconnected with his older brother Ross Barton but also found romance with Vinny Dingle. Lewis is the first neurodivergent character on the show, a role that Bradley says feels deeply personal.
He previously shared: "As an autistic actor, stepping into this role feels deeply personal—finally getting to bring my whole self to the screen, without masking, without shrinking. It's a reminder of how real burnout and masking can be, and how important it is to show those layers with honesty and care."
New Book: 'Autistically Me'
Bradley has now released his book, Autistically Me: How to understand and celebrate our autistic minds, which he describes as a "celebratory toolkit for unique minds." The book blends his lived experience with practical advice for anyone navigating autism. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he reflected on his diagnosis and identity, emphasizing: "You aren't broken, you are you."
He noted that seeing an autistic character on screen would have been transformative for him growing up. "I didn't feel represented until I was about 18 or 19. It makes people feel less alone," he said.
An Emotional Revelation
As his book became an instant bestseller, Bradley took to Instagram to share a candid admission about his mental health. He wrote: "7 years ago, I tried to end my life. Today, I'm on a train to begin my book tour, launching Autistically Me—which became an instant bestseller and helps others embrace their authentic self." He added: "Life can change in ways you never expect. Never give up."
His Emmerdale co-stars, including Beth Cordingly, Michelle Hardwick, and Eden Taylor-Draper, showed their support by liking and reposting his video.
How He Landed the Role
Bradley originally auditioned for a different character, Dylan, but scheduling conflicts arose. However, in December two years ago, he was contacted for a chemistry test with Mike Parr and secured the role of Lewis. He said: "I felt like it was meant to be. The personality of the character fits me so much better."
Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and is available to stream on ITVX and YouTube from 7am.
