‘The Simpsons’ to feature its first Deaf voice actor

The classic animated show The Simpsons is to feature its first Deaf voice actor as part of its current series, it has been revealed.

“The Sound of Bleeding Gums” will see Lisa discover the son of her idol and fellow saxophonist, the late Bleeding Gums Murphy, is Deaf.

John Autry II, who plays Deaf son Monk, told Variety of the episode: “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.”

As well as Lisa learning about Monk’s deafness, the episode is also reported to see him explore getting a cochlear implant, and use American Sign Language (ASL) for the first time in the show’s history.

The writer of the story, Loni Steele Sosthand, added the character of Monk is “at least somewhat” based on her own brother, who is Deaf.

On the use of ASL with characters who are known for only having four fingers, Sosthand said: “That was a little tricky – especially because the one thing we’re translating is Shakespeare – but I think we pulled it off.”

The episode is scheduled to air on Sunday.

Photo: Disney.

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is an award-winning Deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.