Dinosaur is a charming sitcom that explores important themes through humor and heart. Created by Ashley Storrie and Matilda Curtis, it tells the story of two sisters in Glasgow, Nina and Evie, who find their close bond challenged by unexpected change. Nina works as a paleontologist at the local museum, where her passion and quirky personality often clash with social expectations. She also happens to be autistic. When carefree Evie announces her sudden engagement after a brief romance, stable routines are upended for both sisters.
Nina and Evie are played brilliantly by real-life friends Storrie, who shares Nina’s neurodivergence, and Kat Ronney. These actors capture the sisters’ deep affection as well as their contrasting personalities. Through their relationship, Dinosaur examines what it means to be authentic while supporting loved ones. It also normalizes neurodiversity in a way that feels real rather than preachy. Viewers come to understand Nina not as defined by her autism alone but as a complete person.
Over six short episodes, the show explores Nina’s reaction to the engagement and her role in the wedding events. Along the way, there are laughs as well as insights into relationships and individual growth. With acclaimed writing and a talented ensemble, Dinosaur proves representation and meaningful stories need not be separate goals on television.
Following a passion
The show centers around Nina MacArthur, a research assistant at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. Paleontology is Nina’s great passion, as she loves nothing more than spending hours cataloging fossils and remnants from prehistoric times. We first meet Nina correcting a customer’s complaint at a local coffee shop, speaking her blunt mind as she tends to do.
Nina’s world is turned upside down when her sister Evie pays her a visit at the museum. Evie shares some surprising news: after only six weeks of dating, she is now engaged to her boyfriend, Ranesh. Needless to say, blunt Nina is less than impressed. She voices her concerns to Evie, unsure if her sister truly knows this man. Nina’s disapproval opens up differences between the two that had never been an issue before.
When Evie shares the engagement with their family, reactions are mixed. Their parents could not be more thrilled at the prospect of a wedding. Brother Bo sees an opportunity for amusement in the drama between his sisters. Only Nina remains skeptical of the rushed relationship. She struggles further upon meeting Ranesh, finding him overly eager and disrespectful of traditions like their weekly takeout nights.
A rare bright spot emerges when Nina meets Lee, the new barista, at her regular coffee shop. Lee alone seems to understand Nina’s point of view. His gentle support encourages Nina to loosen up a bit. Despite her discomfort, Nina agrees to get more involved when Evie asks her to be maid of honor. Nina must now navigate wedding planning events, mediate between her sister and disapproving future in-laws, and manage her growing feelings for Lee.
Over the course of the episodes, Nina confronts unexpected changes head-on while staying true to herself. By learning to embrace some risks, she finds a balance between supporting her sister and maintaining her independent spirit.
Understanding through Differences
At the heart of Dinosaur is Nina MacArthur, played beautifully by Ashley Storrie. Nina is a research paleontologist, utterly devoted to her work studying the past. She is also autistic, which comes with both joys and challenges in relationships and daily life. Nina relies heavily on routines, from her favorites at the coffee kiosk to movie nights with her sister Evie. Sensory issues can be taxing, like the discomfort of bowling shoes and balls. Yet Nina’s autism also brings passion for her field of study and a refreshing honesty. Through it all, she stays true to herself.
In many ways, Evie serves as Nina’s counterpart. Played with warmth by Kat Ronney, Evie lives life impulsively. Where Nina avoids risk, Evie leaps without looking. This comes to a head when Evie announces her sudden engagement after only six weeks of dating Ranesh. To Nina, this is the ultimate disruption of order and rationality. It shows the different lenses through which the sisters experience the world.
Supporting actors further enrich the varied characters. As parents Ade and Diane, Greg Hemphill and Sally Howitt bring bumbling humor but clear love for their daughters. Brother Bo, from David Carlyle, admires his sisters while focusing on his own romance. Each family member navigates how to best support Nina through change. As her boss Shane, Ben Rufus Green portrays hapless management amid Nina’s unconventional work style. And despite superficial flaws, Danny Ashok’s Ranesh aims to understand Nina, not define her by her autism.
Ultimately, it is the power of Storrie and Ronney’s performances that drive the heart of this show. Their on-screen bond feels genuine, crafted through understanding each other’s joys and struggles. Storrie especially shines in depicting the daily realities of autism, from social mishaps to sensory processing, with humor, vulnerability, and pride. Both actresses breathe life into these richly realistic and lovingly flawed sisters. It is their portrayal that teaches empathy through embracing differences in ourselves and others.
Exploring the spectrum
Dinosaur offers audiences an important representation of autism through Ashley Storrie’s captivating portrayal of Nina MacArthur. While Nina’s autism is openly discussed, the show resists defining her solely by her diagnosis. Viewers see Nina as a living, breathing person—one whose experiences, both comedic and emotional, will resonate with many on the spectrum.
Storrie brings authenticity to the role, having collaborated as a co-creator with her own insights about living with autism. Nina’s traits enhance the humor, like her blunt honesty and love of routines. Yet we also understand why social norms elude her or persistent noises cause distress. Storrie ensures these challenges feel relatable rather than just plot points.
More than any label, the heart of Nina is her deep caring for others. She remains fiercely loyal to sister Evie despite disapproving of an early engagement. Nina builds new friendships, like with Barista Lee, and opens up about her feelings, showing complexities that neurotypical viewers may not associate with autism.
Subtle moments truly shine. When a public meltdown looms, Nina quietly tells Evie her needs. Their bond underscores how autism looks different in each individual. In another scene, she laments another’s simplistic view of her autism as a “superpower”—a l lived experience too rarely portrayed.
With humor and humanity, Dinosaur spotlights a nuanced reality. It presents autism not as something to be “cured” or defined by challenges but as part of a whole person. Storrie’s genuine performance, informed by her co-creator role, brings authentic understanding to every laugh, disagreement, and emotional beat of Nina’s story. The show uplifts without preaching, offering education through vibrant storytelling.
Unexpected Bonds
The bond between Nina and Evie MacArthur holds significance from the start of Dinosaur. As sisters, their contrasting personalities create running gags: lively Evie lives spontaneously while careful Nina clings to routine. Yet beneath the surface lie deep care and understanding.
Nina’s autism complicates her outlook, making change difficult. Evie’s new engagement thrusts uncertainty into their lives together. To Nina’s frustration, Evie doesn’t recognize how disruptive this is. Their talks see witty jabs but also soft reveals, as when Evie admits feeling validated through marriage in a way previous accomplishments lacked. Nina sympathizes, connecting over feelings more than any disagreement.
This dynamic exists because, above all, family acceptance matters. Though eager parents celebrate Evie’s romance, Nina knows her worth beyond such milestones. With siblings, value emerges not from following others’ paths but from forging your own. Their bond withstands shifts since it centers on mutual respect, not similarities alone.
Cautious as ever, Nina tests new waters through Lee. Working up courage for bowling exposes anxieties that team activities amplify. But Lee accepts her at her pace, enjoying quirks others find off-putting. His humor contrasts Ranesh’s superficial praise, seeing Nina as fully formed, not for one trait alone.
Their caring interactions allow Nina room to grow. A breaking routine becomes less terrifying with an understanding partner. Lee brings calm without forcing changes, demonstrating relationships need not mean abandoning oneself—a theme many on the spectrum face pressure around.
Throughout, Dinosaur portrays neurodivergence as one facet among rich inner lives. Nina finds happiness, sadness, and everything in between, like all people, with experiences both shared and singular. Most importantly, her community offers care unconditionally rather than praising her only for performing normal. This refreshing scenario suggests that, for all people, the most meaningful bonds celebrate our differences as much as common ground.
The Art of Comforting Comedy
Structurally, Dinosaur fits sitcom conventions. Nina faces change through her sister’s engagement, seeking romance herself. Yet refreshing character details elevate the comedy. We laugh not because of neurodivergence alone, but because of how Storrie portrays Nina as wholly human—funny, caring, and complex beyond any trait.
Shane could veer cliché as the stiff boss, were it not for his earnest passion also coming across. He aims to improve dinosaur exhibits and understand Nina’s value, showing depth beyond initial impressions. Similarly, Ranesh teeters on the “woke guy” stereotype through clunky dialogue. But Ashok ensures his positivity stems from care, not performance—humanizing versus ridiculing.
Heartfelt moments strike a balance. Nina, connecting with Lee, challenges her fears without losing humor. Her talk with Evie highlights sisterly care, not dismissal, of each other’s choices. Sensitivities around neurodivergence and gender norms surface but resolve through empathy. Conflict feels authentic to characters rather than staged for its own sake.
Storrie and Curtis find humor’s sweet spot—not only making us laugh, but feeling. Details bring characters to life far beyond surface traits. Their blended comedy and tenderness perhaps resonate more for representing everyday humanity in all its messy contradictions. The art lies in crafting comfort through authentic, thoughtful storytelling that feels true to life.
Cultural Impact of “Dinosaur”
This review covered a lot, from thoughtful representation to quirky characters. At its core, “Dinosaur” presents an authentic experience of autism through Nina, crafting a nuanced portrayal. Viewers see not only her sensitivity to routines disrupted by change but also her self-awareness, blunt humor, and deep care for her sister. Beyond obstacles, Nina is a fully-formed person.
The key is showing autism as just one part of a rich character. Nina faces familial drama like anyone, delivering zingers as she navigates ups and downs. Viewers laugh with her sharp wit as much as at the antics of eccentric friends and fiancé. Relationships feel genuine because characters value each other regardless of perceived flaws or differences.
Storylines like Nina confronting new roles as maid of honor create opportunities for both laughter and emotional wisdom. Viewers understand firsthand her perspective through everyday dilemmas, from overwhelming stimuli to finding acceptance. Ultimately, Nina overcomes not in spite of autism but with its unique lens that others learn to appreciate.
In many ways, “Dinosaur” breaks the mold of one-dimensional disabled characters defined by hardship alone. It presents disability as diversity—a part of normal life, valuable in its own way. This show represents neurodivergence accurately and with nuance, highlighting common hopes and humanity in all of us. It is an important and entertaining addition to television. Its compassionate portrait of acceptance and understanding promises to resonate for a long time.
The Review
Dinosaur
Dinosaur is a refreshing take on the sitcom genre with its authentic and nuanced portrayal of autism through Nina's character. The series excels at crafting relatable characters and relationships, finding the sweet spot between humor and heart. While following familiar sitcom tropes, refreshing character details and focusing on the humanity within all people give the show memorable warmth and wisdom that will surely resonate with viewers.
PROS
- Authentic, nuanced portrayal of autism through Nina's character
- Memorable, quirky characters that viewers quickly feel invested in
- Balances humor and heart, crafting moving themes within sitcom format
- Thoughtfully handles issues of disability representation and acceptance
- Entertaining while presenting meaningful messages about diversity
CONS
- Occasional dips into predictable sitcom tropes
- May require patience to develop investment in early character introductions
