Is Mr. Bean Neurodivergent?

My first book as an author ‘Goldiboy and the Three Apes’ is a modern & quirky [of course, maine likkhi hai toh hogi hi!] retelling of the classic Goldilocks tale. The idea came to me when I realized the original author probably didn’t even know she was writing a neurodivergent character with sensory sensibilities. A girl who found things either too hot or too cold, too hard or too soft.

And this is often the case with ‘invisible’ disabilities like autism, dyslexia, ADHD and more. You probably know someone with autism and you don’t even know it. That’s why some of the feedback on Goldiboy is so heartening. It has people talking about how it’s helped them recognize, understand some of the differences in people around them. Or even themselves. “Dude, he reminds me of this girl in my class in school!”/ “Haan yaar, humaare office mein woh bandaa, jo hamesha akela baithkar lunch karta tha, meeting mein chup rehta tha!”/ “I think my uncle is just like Goldiboy!”/ “Where did you get your own autism assessment done, can you pass me the deets?”

Mr. Bean, a character portrayed by Rowan Atkinson, created by Richard Curtis [writer-producer-director, known for cult films like Love Actually, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Nottinghill] first debuted on January 1, 1990. It has inspired an animated spin-of, multiple feature films and several appearances on ground including the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony. While it is essential to avoid making clinical diagnoses about fictional characters, his unique behaviors and quirks are so consistent with neurodivergent traits.

Here are a few reasons why Mr. Bean may be neurodivergent...

Social Interaction Difficulties:

Mr. Bean frequently misinterprets social cues and norms. He often has a hard time understanding typical social situations and can come across as awkward or inappropriate, a trait seen in many neurodivergent individuals. And he is usually seen alone. Barring his best friend, Teddy, a stuffed toy, he treats like a human – which includes getting him Christmas gifts and more. Like our son, Risshan, who’s on the spectrum is very social. But his biggest challenge is making friends. I’m a late diagnosed autistic myself, and while reasonably social, need prep and recovery time after social engagements.

Repetitive Behaviors and Routines:

Mr. Bean has a preference for specific routines, such as the way he treats his teddy [bear] or his habits when preparing food. This preference for routine and specific rituals can be associated with certain neurodivergent conditions. For instance, any change in routine often throws off our son. So, of course, we often tinker around with small things – from where his toothbrush is kept to the schedule for a class. Which helps to learn how to be flexible. Likewise, for me, a change in schedule, last minute plans/ or cancellations trigger a lot of anxiety. At times, it also plays out for Risshan as needing to switch lights on/ off a few times. For me it’s needing to arrange books/ vessels in a particular order.

Non-verbal Communication:

Mr. Bean communicates primarily through actions, facial expressions, and sounds rather than words. While this is partly a comedic device, difficulty with or preference for non-verbal communication can also be seen in some neurodivergent individuals. Risshan often communicates through song and I am far more comfortable with written over verbal communication.

Intense Focus on Specific Interests:

Mr. Bean often gets extremely engrossed in specific tasks, sometimes to the point of obsession. This kind of hyper-focus on particular interests or activities is a common trait among some neurodivergent individuals. For Risshan, this could be listening to music, when he can forget the world outside, for me it could be a great book or writing and I could just lose track of time altogether.

Sensory Sensitivities:

In various episodes, Mr. Bean displays heightened reactions to certain sensory stimuli. For instance, he might overreact to sounds or be extremely particular about the way things feel. Sensory sensitivities are a known characteristic of certain neurodivergent conditions. Risshan is hugely auditory sensitive, and has to sleep with noise-cancellation headphones during Diwali and if there’s thunder cracking. My kryptonite is certain smells that can cause severe headaches.

Recruitment Challenges:

While what Mr. Bean does as work has never been mentioned, just like his first name… in the Bean movie, he is shown as a security guard at London’s National Gallery. And, of course, he wreaks havoc unintentionally wherever he does get plugged in.  Even if he’d add so much fun, loyalty, consistency to any and all work he did. A classic challenge where even the whole DEI movements, while it brings in gender, race, it misses neurodiversity/ disability altogether.

Relationship Confusion:

Bean’s long-suffering girlfriend, Irma, appears in 3 episodes. He often unintentionally treats her relatively inconsiderately and is unable to read or understand her expectations. So, when she points out a photo of a man making a woman wear an engagement ring that she’s expecting to get as a gift, Bean gifts her that photograph! Risshan is now going to be 18, and it’s so amusing to see when he gets sweet messages from girls in his class, saying something like “You were looking cute today!”/ “I missed you in class!”… he misses the subtext altogether. Full marks to my wife who has been putting up with me since over 30 years now.

It's essential to note that Mr. Bean is a fictional character, and his behaviors are exaggerated for comedic effect. While these observations could suggest neurodivergent traits, they are ultimately part of the character's humorous design. In real life, neurodivergence encompasses a broad spectrum of experiences, and it's crucial to approach the subject with sensitivity and understanding.

It however shows neurodivergence is all around us. Recognizing, accepting, appreciating it makes life so much for interesting and complete.

Which other fictional characters do you think are neurodivergent, different, and why?