Reality TV dating shows are usually understood to be less about love and more about boosting the profile of the young, hot singles who have landed themselves on a platform making show.
However, one wholesome dating program earnestly looks for love to blossom between its cast amongst the drama and loveless alliances on other shows.
Love On The Spectrum is back for its second season to tell the stories of people on the autism spectrum as they attempt to date and foster meaningful relationships on the show.
This season will be more diverse than ever.
(Credit: Norther Pictures/Jeremy Simons)This season is exciting because it offers a more diverse range of personalities and people to show how broad the autism spectrum is.
There will also be romantic sparks between neurodiverse and neurotypical partners and an exploration into heterosexuality, bisexuality and pansexuality.
The show’s down-to-earth relationship expert Jodi Rodgers is returning to continue offering support and tips for the contestants.
As if a more diverse show wasn’t exciting enough, there will also be some familiar faces in the mix to continue watching their journey unfold.
There will even be a must-watch two-hour final episode that will air on June 8 for fans to anticipate.
In the mean time you can catch up on season one by streaming it on ABC iview.
Love On The Spectrum, season 2, airs from Tuesday, May 18 at 8:30 pm on ABC TV and iview.
Here is the cast of Love On The Spectrum, featuring both new and returning contestants.
Jimmy and Sharn
Jimmy and Sharn
Sharne and Jimmy are returning on the show after getting engaged over a year ago. Now fans of the couple can catch up on the couple and watch them embark on their first overseas trip to Las Vegas for Jimmy’s world pool championship event. Of course, the ever-supportive Sharne is right by his side, but there are some things on her mind.
Mark
Mark, 30
The ever romantic-minded Mark is returning to the series after building up his confidence in season one. He is keen to search for his perfect match, and although he is open-minded, he would love to meet someone who likes formal dating, ballroom dancing and who embraces spirituality.
Teo
Teo, 22
Teo is another new face on the show, and she has never dated before, but she is keen to experience love and find someone she can spend her life with. Teo is open to meeting anyone and does not perceive gender as an issue because she is more interested in personality.
jayden
Jayden, 21
Jayden is new to dating, and he is excited to put himself out there on Dating On The Spectrum, even though meeting new people can be highly unpredictable. Jayden loves to lead an organised life, and he is a passionate linguist, philosopher and historian, who is constantly in the pursuit of understanding the machinations of society.
Micheal
Micheal, 26
In season one, the whole of Australia may have fallen in love with Michael, but the single man is returning to the show in an attempt to find love for the second time. Michael’s irreverent and unique perspective is still going strong as he inches closer to fulfilling his dreams.
Kassandra
Kassandra, 27
Kassandra has found that because she doesn’t look typically neurodiverse, people feel like they can tell her she doesn’t ‘look autistic,’ to which she replies, ‘you can’t see my brain, and it’s my brain that’s different.’ As a result, she recounts feeling like an outsider at school.
However, once she was diagnosed with Autism, her life changed, and she gained the confidence to foster a strong circle of friends who understand her. Kassandra hasn’t dated for a year because she finds the process overwhelming, but she has decided that she is ready to get back out there.
Ronan
Ronan, 21
Newcomer Ronan plays in a band, attends dance class and has a part-time job, which makes him super busy, but now he is looking for a special someone to bring into his life. He is looking for a girlfriend who loves music and car racing. Ronan’s journey is full of hope and many firsts as he navigates dating and intimate moments for the first time.
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