Representation Station: Adult TV Shows
Last month on the blog we highlighted Children’s TV shows that include animated disabled characters and explained that many of these tv shows explicitly talk about the character’s disability, but make it a point to normalize it, provide child appropriate language and questions around it, and show real life examples of inclusion and adaptation. While there’s woefully little disability representation in tv shows for adults, those that do often perpetuate ableist narratives. There are a few adult tv shows we love that position disabled characters as humans who just exist in the world. There isn’t a discussion or focus on their disability, though some adult tv shows do highlight the inaccessibility of the world at large. The disabled characters in these shows aren’t highlighted as inspirational, used as a learning opportunity, or included in a story line that encourages pity. Here are three adult tv shows that we love that exemplify disability representation done right.
Ordinary Joe
When NBC premiered Ordinary Joe in September 2021 and the initial episodes got over 7 million views, they knew they had created something unique. The drama series follows Joe Kimbreau through the option of three different life paths post graduation and shows the audience how impactful one choice we make can be. The concept explores the “what ifs” in life we often stay up at night pondering. One of those paths involves Joe having a son named Christopher, who is born with a form of muscular dystrophy. Christopher is played by actor John Gluck, changing the narrative that has long plagued Hollywood where disabled characters have been played by non-disabled actors. John, and thus Christopher, is a power wheelchair user and is seen in the show using other types of adaptive equipment including a Hoyer lift and hospital bed, both of which are used daily in real life for persons with muscular dystrophy. The show doesn’t make a big deal out of all the equipment and shows it as part of everyday life that allows Christopher to access the world around him. Along with hiring a disabled actor, Ordinary Joe also hired a disabled writer as a consultant, Shane Burcaw, who also has muscular dystrophy and has helped ensure that Christopher’s character is authentic. You can watch Ordinary Joe online or on the NBC app.
Hawkeye
After the major success of Avengers, Marvel Studios created and released a follow up series in 2021 called Hawkeye on the Disney Plus streaming app. The first two episodes introduced viewers to the world of Kate Bishop, reintroduced archer and Avenger Clint Barton, and in the third episode a brand new Marvel Comics superhero enters the scene, Echo. Echo’s name comes from her ability to mimic movements thanks to her quick reflexes. She needs to see her opponents fight only once before she can copy all of their swings and punches. Being Deaf, she relies on visual aids and cues so she always brings her opponents into well lit areas. Echo is played by Indigenous Deaf actress Alaqua Cox who is a newcomer to Hollywood and Marvel. This marks the first deaf Marvel character played by a Deaf actress, although there are two other deaf characters in the Marvel series. In a recent interview Cox stated, “I'm excited for the support and being able to advocate for the D/deaf community. We want to have that equality and get more people involved. I'm just so grateful for all of the opportunities I've been given”
Speechless
Before NBC came out with Ordinary Joe, ABC network produced and released 3 seasons of Speechless, a comedy drama sitcom about the DiMeo Family. The family consists of mom Maya, a British woman who isn’t afraid to let anyone know what she thinks, her husband Jimmy who has a carefree attitude, Dylan their athletic daughter, Ray, their scholarly middle child who is the “voice of reason,” and JJ, a high schooler with cerebral palsy who is the humor and wit. JJ is a wheelchair user, non speaking, and communicates using a variety of AAC including head nods, non verbal gestures, and a laser pointer attached to his glasses that he uses to spell out words, phrases, and sentences on a low tech board. The DiMeo family has frequently moved to find the best educational environment for JJ where he will have inclusion, appropriate accommodations, and friends. Speechless is a perfect show for teens and adults to watch life with a disability and having a disabled sibling be portrayed in a positive way. The show doesn’t hold back on showing the major inaccessibility of the world, from JJ having to enter a restaurant through a back alley because of steps at the front entrance, the struggle of finding paraprofessionals and care aids who treat the disabled person with respect and dignity, the bias that teachers carry in not presuming competence, and so on. JJ’s character also dispels the myth that disabled people can’t have happy and fulfilling lives filled with romance, friendship, travel and adventure, heartbreak, and employment. You can watch Speechless on Hulu and Amazon Video.
For more in our Representation Station series, check out our posts on adaptive clothing for children and toys that represent disability.
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