Children’s favourite Peppa Pig is working with the National Deaf Children’s Society on a new storyline which reveals that George Pig is moderately deaf.
In an upcoming episode, George, who is Peppa’s little brother, will be fitted with a hearing aid after a routine check up with the audiologist uncovers that he is moderately deaf in one ear. The audiologist will be played by Gladiators titan Jodie Ounsley (Fury) who was born deaf, and was one of the youngest people in the UK to be fitted with a cochlear implant.
The storyline will begin with a special episode on Peppa Pig Tales on YouTube on February 6, which will showcase a typical day in the family’s life from George’s audio perspective. This will highlight how day-to-day tasks can be a little trickier for Peppa’s younger brother.
George’s diagnosis will then form a big part of season 11, available to watch on Milkshake from March 9. This will include the episode titled ‘Hearing Test’ where George is told that he’s hard of hearing, whilst future episodes will showcase how he discovers new sounds over time.
George Crockford, Chief Executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society, highlighted the importance of representation in television. He said: “Representation matters, and it’s vital that deaf children see their experiences portrayed authentically and positively.
“Introducing this storyline in a series as loved as Peppa Pig is an important step towards creating a world where anything is possible for deaf children – a world where differences are understood and every child feels seen, valued and included.”
“For more than 20 years, Peppa Pig has grown alongside families around the world, and George’s evolution reflects that journey,” said Esra Cafer, Hasbro’s SVP of Franchise Strategy and Management, Preschool & Fashion. “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.”
The animated show, which tells the story of Peppa, George, baby sister Evie, Daddy Pig and Mummy Pig, is no stranger to helping children see themselves and their families reflected in Peppa’s world. Existing characters include Mandy Mouse, who uses a wheelchair, and Penny Polar Bear, who has two mothers – George’s storyline is a further step in ensuring thoughtful representation and awareness amongst children.
In addition to George’s storyline, Hasbro has made Peppa Pig content more accessible to the deaf community with the Peppa Pig Sign Language for Kids YouTube channel, featuring episodes interpreted in both British Sign Language (BSL) and American Sign Language (ASL).
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