The Simpsons are set to introduce character Monk played by deaf voice actor John Autry II
(Picture: The Simpsons)The Simpsons is set to break new ground by introducing a deaf voice character and will feature American Sign Language.
The cult cartoon series, which has been running for 33 years, will introduce the character Monk played by deaf voice actor John Autry II.
He will make his first appearance during episode The Sound Of Bleeding Gums which is due to air in the US on Sunday.
The episode will see show regular Lisa Simpson track down the deaf son of her favourite saxophonist Bleeding Gums Murphy to help him get a cochlear implant.
Viewers will also get to see sequences of ASL throughout the show.
Speaking about his casting and the importance of representation on the popular series, Autry told Variety: “It’s so incredible. It’s life-changing equality and participation.
“This can impact change for all of us. It’s about hard of hearing and hearing characters coming together. It’s a part of history.”
The episode was penned by Loni Steele Sosthand who joined the Simpsons back in 2020.
.@TheSimpsons it’s very hard to do a “first” after 722 episodes. But I couldn’t be more excited about this one. Sunday @8 https://t.co/pWcl40E76H
— Al Jean (@AlJean) April 7, 2022
She told the publication how she had been inspired by her own deaf brother and the jazz music that was so prevalent in her own home growing up.
“When I think about music, I also think about my brother, who was born deaf,” she explained. “When we were talking about this Bleeding Gums character in our initial brainstorms, we thought, wouldn’t it be cool if Lisa discovers this whole other side of his life.
“That led to him having a son, and then we based that character at least somewhat on my brother. And the story grew from there.”
The episode comes hot on the heels of deaf actor Troy Kotsur’s historic Oscars win.
This year’s ceremony saw him awarded best supporting actor for his role in Coda which also won best picture.
Loni hailed Coda as “great” for representation and said there are “so many stories to be told” about the experiences of deaf people.
