The crime drama series “Code of Silence” and Netflix’s medical drama “Pulse” are among five productions to receive the Ruderman Family Foundation’s Authentic Representation Seal, which recognizes television shows that provide authentic portrayals of characters living with disabilities.
“Especially with this year’s Academy Awards just around the corner, it is critical that we shine a light on the creators and producers who are opening doors for actors with disabilities and ensuring their stories are told by the people who actually live them,” said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “We are proud to honor their efforts and hope their example continues to move the entertainment industry toward widely adopted standards of authentic representation.”
‘Code of Silence’, ‘Pulse’, ‘Good Bad Things’, ‘We Might Regret This’ and ‘A Different Man’, which will air on BBC Studios’ BritBox streamer, round out the film and TV titles recognized. To earn the Ruderman Seal, a production must feature an actor with a disability in a role that speaks at least five lines of dialogue, and must be in or about to be released to the public.
Rose Ayling-Ellis, a deaf actor, played Alison Woods, who has the same disability, in “Code of Silence,” and Jesse Yates, an actor with cerebral palsy, was cast as Harper Sims, a disabled wheelchair user, in “Pulse.”
Pulse casting director Vicki Thomas said: “Ideally, we would cast disabled actors to play disabled characters. That’s what everyone wants.” “It’s not a lack of desire. It’s usually the lack or limited number of options that prevents this. I think we were very lucky and excited to find not just a disabled actor, but a great actor like Jesse Yates to play Harper Sims in Pulse.” She hopes her casting will inspire other disabled people to consider acting as a career possibility. ”
Quadriplegic actor Kyla Harris plays Freya on Apple TV’s We Might Regret This. “Authentic casting was essential to the show’s integrity. Kyla Harris brings lived experience, humor and creative authority to the role of Freya, shaping the character in a way that only she can,” said Lee Getty, who co-created and co-wrote the show. “It’s important that that approach is recognized because it reinforces something fundamental: without agency, collaboration, and intention, expression means nothing.”
Danny Kurtzman, an actor with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy, has been cast in Music Box Films’ “The Good Bad Things,” and Adam Pearson has been cast as Oswald, a man with neurofibromatosis, in the HBO Max movie “Different Man.”
“The opportunity to tell my authentic disabled story in a beautiful film has already had a profound impact on so many lives,” said Kurtzman, who is the writer, producer and lead actor on “The Good Bad Things.”
“Adam Pearson needs to be recognized not only as one of the greatest disabled actors of our time, but also as one of the greatest actors working today,” said Maribeth Fox, casting director for A Different Man. “His storytelling ability, character creativity, and enthusiasm and energy for the craft of acting are impossible to ignore.”
The Ruderman Family Foundation is dedicated to supporting programs, partnerships, and philanthropy that advocate for the advancement and closure of people with disabilities.
