3 television shows portraying Parkinson’s disease

Tuning into a new television series is an activity that most of us are partial to from time to time. We round up three shows portraying Parkinson’s disease on TV – and explore how the community has responded to them online

‘Kaleidoscope’

In the popular Netflix show ‘Kaleidoscope’ – a series following a crew of thieves who plot and attempt to pull off a huge heist – the lead character and swindler mastermind, Leo Pap, has Parkinson’s.

Fans flocked to social media to debate the correct order of episodes (you don’t have to watch them chronologically), while others were quick to weigh in about the portrayal of Pap’s condition. The series received mixed responses from the Parkinson’s community online:

Watching #KALEIDOSCOPE and they just brought up Parkinson’s. As someone whose partner has YOPD, seeing the disease become more visible on television makes me hopeful that the public interest (and funding) will also rise.

— I Am Not Your Oreo (@ceejnsight) January 3, 2023

Ok, I'm loving #KALEIDOSCOPE on Netflix, but .. #parkinsons is NOT a "terminal" illness!! It can cause complications that *might* shorten life but we die WITH Parkinson's not from it!! Convo "how long?" "2 years, maybe 10 dunno"… WTF!?

— Ruth Martin (@ruthiejean22) January 2, 2023

‘Shrinking’

Another programme to add to the mix is the star-studded Apple TV series ‘Shrinking’. Featuring Harrison Ford and Jason Segel, the 2023 show follows a grieving therapist who starts to offer his clients unfiltered and brutally honest opinions.

Throughout the series, the audience is introduced to the therapist’s boss, Paul, who is living with Parkinson’s and, therefore, dealing with his own set of challenges. The release of the series drummed up a lot of media attention and conversation online, with some sharing praise for Ford’s performance:

A review for #Shrinking is 100% coming next week. Super impressed by this show. Props to Ford for nailing a lot of the Parkinson’s mannerisms (holding his hand to not shake, tremors while reaching for things, overly gripping this tight in hand).

Excellent show on grief and loss

— Nater Tot (@the_natertot) January 28, 2023

‘The Suspect’

‘The Suspect’, a drama series released by the UK channel ITV last year, features a lead character coming to terms with living with Parkinson’s. The programme follows successful psychologist Joe O’Loughlin, who assists the police with a potential murder enquiry – but later finds himself at the centre of the case.

O’Loughlin’s character is portrayed by 39-year-old Aidan Turner. The Irish actor connected with a musician who has Parkinson’s to explore how the condition’s symptoms should be depicted on-screen. Some members of the community highlighted the series on Twitter:

The Suspect new drama;
The series introduces Dr Joe O’Loughlin a man who has the perfect life a beautiful wife, a loving daughter and a successful career as a clinical psychologist. But nothing can be taken for granted as he navigates life after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s

— Rod Kessack (@Rodkrun4ver) August 29, 2022

Read more:

“Getting it right was important” – the new TV drama portraying Parkinson’s disease on-screen

Lights, camera, action: three filmmakers sharing stories of Parkinson’s disease