A popular children’s television show is revealing that a key character has a disability.
The upcoming season of “Peppa Pig” — an animated British show for preschoolers that’s a hit around the world — will focus on Peppa’s family learning that her younger brother George is moderately deaf.
“For more than 20 years, ‘Peppa Pig’ has grown alongside families around the world, and George’s evolution reflects that journey,” said Esra Cafer, senior vice president of franchise strategy and management, preschool and fashion at Hasbro, the company behind the show. “George has grown from Peppa’s curious little brother into a character with his own voice and experiences. As he enters this next phase of his development, we continue to celebrate joy, growth and confidence, reminding every child that there’s a place for them in Peppa’s world.”
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George’s disability was first introduced on “Peppa Pig Tales” on YouTube this month. The two-minute short told from George’s audio perspective allows viewers to see how a typical day looks different for him.
When the new season of “Peppa Pig” debuts in March, the show will expand upon George’s experience sharing how his family learned of his moderate hearing loss in one ear during a regular visit to the doctor. George is then fitted with a hearing aid and seen experiencing new sounds and gaining more speech.
George’s audiologist is voiced by Jodie Ounsley, who is deaf. To ensure accurate representation, Hasbro said it partnered with the London-based National Deaf Children’s Society along with Camilla Arnold, a deaf executive producer and script consultant. The company is also working with the Hearing Loss Association of America in the U.S.
In addition, “Peppa Pig” episodes featuring both British Sign Language and American Sign Language interpretation are available on a special YouTube channel. And, a toy version of George that includes his hearing aid is for sale on Amazon.
“Globally, an estimated 34 million children are deaf, yet we don’t always see their stories told in the media. Representation matters and it’s vital for deaf children to see their experiences reflected positively on screen,” said George Crockford, chief executive at the National Deaf Children’s Society. “Introducing this storyline in a series as beloved as ‘Peppa Pig’ is an important step toward creating a world where anything is possible for deaf children — a world where differences are celebrated and every deaf child feels seen, valued and included.”
George is not the first character with a disability on “Peppa Pig.” Mandy Mouse, who is in Peppa’s playgroup, uses a wheelchair.
The new season of “Peppa Pig” will air on Nickelodeon beginning March 23.
