Bradley Riches – Biography, Career, Books, Autism Advocacy
Bradley Stephen Riches is an English actor, writer, and autism advocate who gained widespread recognition for his role as James McEwan in the Netflix series Heartstopper and as Lewis Barton in the ITV soap Emmerdale. He has also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK and authored two books about his experiences as an autistic person: A Different Kind of Superpower and Autistically Me.
Born in Surrey on 11 December 2001, Riches was diagnosed as autistic at age nine and did not use spoken language until he was about ten. He has since become one of the most visible openly autistic actors in British television, using his platform to advocate for neurodiversity and inclusive storytelling.
Who Is Bradley Riches?
Bradley Stephen Riches
11 December 2001 (age 24)
Actor, Author, Autism Advocate
James McEwan (Heartstopper), Lewis Barton (Emmerdale)
- Roses to mainstream fame through Netflix’s Heartstopper, playing the recurring character James McEwan.
- Published his first book A Different Kind of Superpower in 2023 and Autistically Me in 2026.
- Received a National Diversity Award and won Best Soap Newcomer at the TV Choice Awards for his Emmerdale role.
- Appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2024.
- Was non-verbal until around age ten, a fact he has discussed openly in interviews.
- Graduated from Emil Dale Academy with a BA in Musical Theatre.
- Has over 2 million followers across TikTok and Instagram combined.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 11 December 2001 |
| Age | 24 (as of early 2026) |
| Birth Place | Surrey, England |
| Occupation | Actor, Writer, Autism Advocate |
| Known Roles | James McEwan (Heartstopper), Lewis Barton (Emmerdale) |
| Awards | National Diversity Award, TV Choice Award (Best Soap Newcomer) |
| Books | A Different Kind of Superpower (2023), Autistically Me (2026) |
| Social Media Following | Over 2 million across TikTok and Instagram |
How Old Is Bradley Riches?
Bradley Riches was born on 11 December 2001 in Surrey, England. As of June 2026, he is 24 years old. His birth year is important context for understanding his career trajectory: he was only 20 when Heartstopper first aired in 2022, and 22 when he joined Emmerdale in 2024.
Some older profiles list him as 23, but based on the most recent Wikipedia biography, his age is now 24. Public birthday posts on his Instagram confirm the December date.
What Are Bradley Riches’ Major Acting Roles?
James McEwan in Heartstopper
Riches first appeared as James McEwan in Season 2 of Netflix’s Heartstopper, which premiered in April 2022. The character is a student at Truham Grammar School who has a brief romantic storyline with another character. Riches reprised the role in Season 3, cementing his place in the popular LGBTQ+ series. Heartstopper on Netflix features an ensemble cast that brought the graphic novels to life.
Lewis Barton in Emmerdale
In 2024, Riches joined the cast of the long-running ITV soap Emmerdale as Lewis Barton. The character was introduced as part of the Barton family, and Riches’ performance earned him the Best Soap Newcomer award at the TV Choice Awards, as reported in a YouTube announcement.
Other On-Screen Work
Before his breakthrough, Riches had a minor role as a soldier in Sam Mendes’ 2019 war film 1917. He also appeared in the horror-comedy series Wreck (2023). His stage debut came much earlier: in 2016 he played twins Ben and Lisa in the musical Disaster!.
Who Is Bradley Riches’ Partner?
According to his Wikipedia entry, Riches became engaged to theatre director Scott Johnston in April 2024. The couple married on 8 April 2026. Riches, who identifies as gay, has spoken in interviews about navigating life as “a gay person with autism.”
Very few details about the marriage have been made public beyond the date and Scott Johnston’s profession. Neither Riches nor Johnston has shared extensive media interviews about the relationship.
In his National Diversity Awards profile, Riches is described as an advocate who “champions autistic voices and inclusive storytelling,” often linking his identity as a gay autistic man to his work.
How Did Bradley Riches Become an Actor?
- 2016 – Stage debut in Disaster! playing twins Ben and Lisa.
- 2019 – Minor role as a soldier in the film 1917.
- 2022 (April) – First appears as James McEwan in Netflix’s Heartstopper.
- 2023 (November) – Publishes debut book A Different Kind of Superpower.
- 2024 – Appears on Celebrity Big Brother UK and joins the cast of Emmerdale as Lewis Barton.
- 2024 (April) – Becomes engaged to theatre director Scott Johnston.
- 2026 (April) – Marries Scott Johnston on 8 April.
- 2026 – Releases second book Autistically Me.
After training at Emil Dale Academy, where he earned a BA in Musical Theatre from the University of Bedfordshire, Riches built his career through a combination of stage, film, and television work.
Is Bradley Riches Non‑Verbal?
Established Information
- Riches was diagnosed as autistic at age nine.
- He was non‑verbal until around age ten, meaning he did not use spoken words to communicate.
- He has discussed this period in interviews, including a BBC News TikTok video.
- He now communicates verbally and uses his platform to advocate for others with similar experiences.
What Remains Unclear
- Whether he was completely non‑verbal or selectively mute is not medically documented.
- No professional assessment has been publicly released.
- The exact duration of his non‑verbal period (from what age to approximately ten) is described in general terms only.
What Is Bradley Riches’ Book About?
Riches has written two books that centre on his life as an autistic person. A Different Kind of Superpower (2023) is a memoir aimed at younger readers, explaining how his autism gives him a unique perspective. Autistically Me (2026) expands on that theme with more personal stories and practical advice for autistic teenagers and young adults. Both books have been praised for their honest, accessible tone and have helped raise awareness about the diversity of autistic experiences.
The National Diversity Awards notes that his writing “champions autistic voices and inclusive storytelling,” and his books have been used in school libraries and by autism support organisations.
Where Can I Find Bradley Riches’ Wikipedia Profile?
The most comprehensive and regularly updated public biography of Bradley Riches is his Wikipedia page. It includes his full filmography, awards, education, and personal life details. Additional reliable sources include his Instagram and the National Diversity Awards profile, both of which are updated directly by his team or by the award body. For career credits, IMDb offers a detailed filmography.
A BBC News interview segment on TikTok provides a short, first‑person account of his non‑verbal childhood, adding a personal layer to the public record.
What Is Bradley Riches’ Overall Significance?
Bradley Riches represents a new generation of openly neurodivergent actors in mainstream British television. By playing a recurring role in a hit Netflix show, joining a long‑running soap opera, and publishing two books about his autism, he has become a visible advocate for inclusion. His journey from a non‑verbal childhood to an award‑winning performer illustrates the range of autistic experiences and challenges stereotypes about what autistic people can achieve.
For readers interested in other young British talents, see our profile on Jonah Hauer-King – Bio, Movies, TV Shows and Personal Facts and the Loyle Carner – Complete Guide to the UK Rap Star.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bradley Riches
What is Bradley Riches’ net worth?
Bradley Riches’ net worth has not been publicly disclosed by reliable financial sources.
Does Bradley Riches have a TikTok?
He is primarily active on Instagram (@brad_riches). His personal TikTok presence is not independently confirmed, but he has appeared in BBC News TikTok videos.
Where can I buy Bradley Riches’ books?
A Different Kind of Superpower and Autistically Me are available through major booksellers including Amazon, Waterstones, and Barnes & Noble.
What is Bradley Riches’ height?
His height is not officially listed in Wikipedia or IMDb.
Is Bradley Riches married?
Yes, he married theatre director Scott Johnston on 8 April 2026.
What awards has Bradley Riches won?
He received a National Diversity Award and won Best Soap Newcomer at the TV Choice Awards for his role in Emmerdale.
Was Bradley Riches in Celebrity Big Brother?
Yes, he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2024.
Does Bradley Riches have children?
There is no public information indicating he has children.
How did Bradley Riches train as an actor?
He graduated from Emil Dale Academy with a BA in Musical Theatre awarded by the University of Bedfordshire.
What is Bradley Riches’ full name?
His full name is Bradley Stephen Riches.
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