Nik Sanchez has made history as the first autistic actor to portray an autistic character in a Hallmark original film.
The 17-year-old will star in the upcoming Lifetime film Safe Room, a thriller centered around widow Lila Jackson and her 14-year-old autistic son Ian (played by Sanchez).
After Ian witnesses a murder, Lila becomes tangled up in a struggle to protect her son by hiding in her late husband’s panic room, where she and her son must outsmart their intruders and prevent them from attaining the record of the crime.
The Rise of Nik Sanchez
Sanchez made his debut in an episode of ABC’s The Rookie, where he has had a recurring role as Silas March since 2020.
After appearing in the Hallmark Christmas film, Our Christmas Journey, he became the first autistic actor to portray a character with the same condition.
In the film, Sanchez starred as the 18-year-old Marcus, who lives with his mother and struggles to fit in as someone on the autism spectrum.
His father located a space in a program that helps adults like Marcus who struggle with cognitive challenges, assisting them in learning to live as independent adults.
While Marcus is interested in the program, his mother panics, worrying about whether or not he is ready to live away from her.
The family travels upstate to meet Marcus while he is enrolled in the program, where his mother is forced to contend with her feelings about being the one too scared to be away from him.
On Being An Autistic Actor
In an interview with Monsters Critics, Sanchez discusses the importance of letting autistic actors play characters like them.
When looking back at his foray into acting, Sanchez said:
“I have always loved role-playing and creating characters ever since I was a kid. My mom put me in acting classes when I was five years old, but my ADHD was in full force then, and I had a hard time sitting still. The instructor told me I wouldn’t do well because I had the attention span of a gnat. I mean, I never stopped role-playing, but I just did it with family and friends until a couple of years ago.”
Not one to be discouraged, Sanchez was cheered on by family and friends as he gave acting a real shot.
Nik Sanchez aimed to beat the odds, proving that autism was not a hindrance for performers like himself hoping to make it big in Hollywood.
Holly Robinson Peete, who played Sanchez’ mother in Our Christmas Journey, stressed the importance of casting an autistic actor in the film, saying:
“It was very important for us to find an actor with autism. The representation is so needed. When we found Nik, it was like jackpot.”
Why Neurotypical Actors Need To Step Back
Actors such as Dustin Hoffman, Freddie Highmore, and Dakota Fanning have all achieved rave reviews for their on-screen portrayals of autistic characters.
While some feel such actors have done the roles justice, autistic actors like Sanchez have expressed a need to stop hiring neurotypical actors in these roles.
Unfortunately, Hollywood creatives tend to sideline anyone that does not fit the norm, believing autistic actors to be difficult to work with.
While legends such as Sir Anthony Hopkins, Daryl Hannah, and Dan Aykroyd have proven their worth on and off the screen, many newer autistic actors have not been given the opportunity they deserve.
With his upcoming role in Safe Space, Nik Sanchez has the chance to prove he can do it all. A thriller hinges on silence and anticipation, and presenting the story through the perspective of an autistic child is the perfect opportunity to explore the psychological nature of crime.
