Peppa Pig, Thomas the Tank Engine expand on representation

Two British Children’s TV shows have upped the diversity for their audiences.

Thomas and Friends will get its first autistic character, while Peppa Pig this week introduced same sex parents.

The episode titled “Families”, which aired on Tuesday, saw Penny Polar Bear introduce her two mums to the titular character.

Penny is sketching a portrait of her family along with Suzi Sheep and Danny Dog, when she says: “I’m Penny Polar Bear. I live with my mummy and my other mummy.

“One mummy is a doctor and one mummy cooks spaghetti. I love spaghetti.”

In June Sesame Street featured two same-sex dads for the first time in the show’s 51-year history, while Australia’s Play School introduced the real life mums of a young Brenna Harding way back in 2004.

Meanwhile Thomas and Friends will get its first autistic character. Bruno the Brake Car, voiced by nine-year-old autistic actor Elliott Garcia, will start appearing in UK episodes from later this month.

Toy company Mattel said it had “carefully curated Bruno’s character to ensure an accurate fictional representation of autism”.

The company says that Bruno rolls in reverse at the end of the train – “giving him a unique perspective on the world” – and loves schedules, routine, timetables and “when everything goes to plan”.

Bruno can signify to other characters when he is overwhelmed, worried or excited by “flapping his ladders” and has a lantern to “indicate his emotional state”. He sometimes wears ear defenders when there is a loud noise.

“While Bruno thoughtfully reflects the traits and preferences of some autistic people, one animated character could never encompass the real-life experience of every autistic person,” the company said.

Both shows screen in Australia on ABC Kids.

Source: Guardian