Top children’s TV show Thomas the Tank Engine is to get its first autistic character in the latest move to diversify on-screen representation, according to the Guardian.
The paper reported that nine-year-old autistic actor Elliott Garcia will be the voice of Bruno the Brake Car, which will start appearing in episodes of the latest Thomas & Friends series from later this month.
Mattel, the US toy giant behind franchises including Barbie and Hot Wheels that acquired Thomas the Tank Engine in 2011, told the media 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”.
The manufacturer added that 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.
Mattel said it worked with organisations including Autistic Self Advocacy Network and National Autistic Society UK (NAS UK), to bring Bruno to the series, which is popular with many autistic children.
The company said its collaborative efforts meant “Bruno opens the door for global audiences” with the character also due to appear in a YouTube series, music album, the Thomas & Friends Storytime podcast and an upcoming special, as well as a range of merchandise due to launch later this year.
NAS UK told the Guardian that with 700,000 autistic adults and children across the country, the inclusion of a character in the show was an “amazing moment for autistic people”.
Tom Purser, the charity’s head of guidance, volunteering and campaigns said: “It is important that everyone sees autistic characters on our screens because there are 160,000 school-age autistic children in the UK and they want to see their stories told.
“But it is also important that non-autistic children get insight and understanding into what it can be like to be autistic.”
