Model with Down syndrome stars in ‘coming-of-age romantic comedy’

A model with Down syndrome has landed the lead role in a new romantic comedy being shot in Canada. Madison Tevlin plays Emma in the film “One Perfect Date,” a young woman who is searching for her place in the world.

Key Takeaways:

• Madison Tevlin is a model, actress, and advocate who has Down syndrome.

• She is starring as the lead in an upcoming romantic comedy.

• The film is shot in Canada, where Tevlin is from, and where abortion is legal up to birth.

• Reports indicate that 90% of pregnant women in Canada whose babies receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome will have an abortion.

The Details:

Madison Tevlin is an actress, model, and advocate for individuals with Down syndrome. She is also the first person with Down syndrome to be nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Host in a Talk Show or Entertainment News. In her career, she has starred alongside Woody Harrelson in “Champions,” acted in the television series “Lost & Found Music Studios,” walked runways, and is often a keynote speaker at conferences. Now she is starring in a romantic comedy.

The film follows her character as she searches for her place through finding both a job and love.

“Well, this is about Emma, who is a young adult who has Down syndrome and she is in pursuit of finding the love of her life,” said Elise Beaudry-Ferland, a producer with Prairie Cat Productions.

Sask. film to star disability advocate and actor Madison Tevlin

The movie is slated for a Fall 2026 release date.

“Going into this movie, I never would have thought that I would be in the lead in a movie like this,” said Trevlin. “I had to make sure that I’m always at my best. Even if there were hard times and tough times for me, I had to get through them by listening to my music to help me cope with that.”

Writer and director of “One Perfect Date,” Lucas Frison, said Tevlin “didn’t want to stop filming every day. [She] was so enthusiastic wanting to stay there. That just gives everyone else a little boost.”

According to CKRM, Frison first reached out to Tevlin in 2022 to tell her about his romantic comedy idea, which was inspired by his short film, “Pen Pals.”

“I asked her if she would be interested in a lead role, and she jumped on board right away,” he said.

Why It Matters:

“Just showing people with different disabilities on our screen is — that’s what you see out in the world,” said Frison. “The actors that we have in these roles are extremely talented, super funny. It’s a coming-of-age romantic comedy so it’s putting them front and centre and they’re knocking it out of the park.”

People with disabilities still face discrimination, often being targeted for eugenic abortions. In Canada, where Tevlin is from and the film is being shot, abortion is legal up to birth, and about 90% of women whose babies receive a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome will abort their babies.

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