Madison Marilla never expected that a Netflix dating show would change her life, but when the 27-year-old Tampa resident joined “Love on the Spectrum,” she found herself on a path to romance through some of St. Petersburg’s most beloved attractions.
The hit Netflix series, which follows people on the autism spectrum as they navigate the world of dating, released its third season in April, featuring Marilla among its new cast members. The show captured her dates at iconic Tampa Bay locations including the St. Pete Pier and Sunken Gardens.
“I got butterflies and felt sparks upon meeting him,” Marilla told Netflix’s Tudum blog about her first encounter with Tyler White, a 28-year-old DJ from the Tampa area. Their meeting at Sunken Gardens — the 100-year-old botanical paradise and one of Florida’s last remaining roadside attractions — proved to be the beginning of a lasting connection.
Before finding her match, Marilla had gone on another date that didn’t work out. But the Tampa resident remained optimistic, inspired by previous participants on the show who found love. “Abbey and David’s love story made me think finding love for people who have autism is possible,” she explained.
The Netflix production team filmed several segments around Pinellas County, capturing the beauty of Tampa Bay’s attractions. Marilla and White were filmed dining at Teak, one of the restaurants on the St. Pete Pier, with the Vinoy Resort & Golf Club visible in the distance. Jason Latimer, director of public relations for Visit St. Pete-Clearwater, confirmed that the show also filmed at the Gulfport Tuesday Market on Beach Boulevard and the Secret Garden in St. Pete Beach.
For Marilla, navigating the dating world as someone with autism presented unique challenges. “Emotionally, I was developmentally delayed, but not intellectually,” she shared in an interview with CNN. “I did not understand the complex social skills involved in dating when I was in high school that most people my age understood at the time.”
Jennifer Cook, the on-camera neurodiversity expert for the show who also has an autism diagnosis, helped Marilla prepare for her dates. She encouraged finding balance between comfort and stepping outside one’s boundaries. “We’re in that midplace where we’re engaged, but we’re not unfocused, either by boredom or by panic,” Cook explained about the ideal dating mindset.
The couple’s story has resonated with viewers around the world. After the cameras stopped rolling, Marilla and White continued dating, celebrating holidays together and supporting each other’s interests. In a recent Instagram update, Marilla announced that she and White are “still happily in love” as they approach their nine-month anniversary.
Their relationship showcases how the couple embraces each other’s passions. White has taken Marilla to the American Girl store and the Disney store, knowing these are among her favorite things. Meanwhile, Marilla has attended events where White works as a DJ, including a church trick-or-treat event that she says “will become a tradition.”
The couple’s success story highlights how meaningful, loving relationships are absolutely possible for people on the autism spectrum. While they’ve acknowledged that their opposite personalities — his spontaneity versus her love of planning — can sometimes create friction, they’ve learned to meet each other halfway.
For Tampa Bay residents interested in following in Marilla’s footsteps, both the St. Pete Pier and Sunken Gardens remain popular date destinations. The 26-acre St. Pete Pier combines Tampa Bay’s peaceful waters with downtown St. Petersburg’s vibrant greenery, offering opportunities to stroll, dine, and shop. Meanwhile, Sunken Gardens provides a serene oasis with winding paths through exotic plants, cascading waterfalls, and even a flock of flamingos.
As Marilla’s journey shows, sometimes love can be found in familiar places — even when it takes a Netflix production team to help make the connection.