When it comes to diverse representation, it is often seen in the fields. Variety has rarely taken center stage, and instead has resigned itself to a symbolic role, a minor character, or a character who appears in one episode to convey some sort of moral story to a recurring normative cast.
In recent years, however, diversity has come into focus. The increase in variety behind the camera allowed new voices to emerge and be reflected on screen. Mainstream television characters no longer live on the fringes, they have entered an age that champions diversity, allowing new stories to be told through authentic performance that has pushed the boundaries of diversity on screen.
‘High grief’ (2022 -)
Rebooting the classic 1994 Australian series for a modern audience, Netflix Broken heart chronicles the high school romances and teenage anxieties of Hartley High School students. With LGBTQ+, POC, neurodivergent and First Nations characters as part of the core cast. Broken heart showcases the diversity of Australian classrooms.
Chloe HaydenThe film’s depiction of queer student and autistic Queenie subverts the stereotypical portrayal of autism that has become popular on shows such as good doctor as well as The Big Bang Theory. Breaking boundaries by portraying an autistic character traveling through LGBT romance, Broken heartThe performance becomes even more authentic as Hayden becomes one of the first autistic actors to play an autistic character in a major television series.
‘Sex Education’ (2019 -)
For three seasons of Netflix sex education constantly explores the diversity of sexual experiences by following the lives of students, staff and parents at Moordale High School.
The series features a wide range of sexuality, including lesbian, pansexual, and bisexual characters. sex education especially shines in the representation of lesser-known sexualities. Like FlorenceMirren Mack) is recognized by Jean (Gillian Anderson) her lack of desire for sexual attraction, Jean explains her asexuality in an empathetic but direct way to help Florence understand her feelings. This scene dispels the myth that asexual people are reluctant to form emotional bonds and provides an honest performance that accurately portrays the experience of the asexual community.
Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013-2021)
With his ensemble of characters, Brooklyn Nine-Nine made a splash as a popular comedy series with a diverse cast. Each member of the squad showcases their individuality, avoiding stereotypes, allowing everyone to become a three-dimensional character.
One of the series’ most poignant plot points was Rosa Diaz (Stephanie Beatrice) has admitted to her friends and family that she is bisexual, and this narrative is largely based on Beatrice’s own experiences. With stories like TerryTerry Crews) is racially profiled as a POC police officer as well as Captain Holt (Andre Braugher) the experience of a gay, black police captain advancing through the ranks - Brooklyn Nine-Nine shows that it is possible to balance comedy with inclusiveness and politics.
“Heartbreaker” (2022 -)
In the Netflix adaptation Alisa Osmangraphic novel, heart block brought a refreshingly unproblematic LGBT+ story to TV screens. Undermining a history of queer representation that has often resorted to trauma or tragedy, heart block emphasized joy and variety in his wholesome story of strange growing up.
heart block shattered numerous queer stereotypes throughout the series. Nick Nelson’s (Keith Connor) journey to discovering his own bisexuality, healthy communication in relationships and Yasmine Finney breakthrough as a trans actress playing trans character Elle - heart block proves that positive queer performance is possible and valid.
“Breaking Bad” (2008–2013)
Considered one of the greatest TV shows of all time, Breaking BadThe five-season run was critically acclaimed for its performance, direction, cinematography, and storytelling, which set the series high for prestige television. Followed by Walter WhiteBryan Cranston) as he turns to a life of crime after his recent cancer diagnosis, Breaking Bad depicts a sensitive portrait of a man who wants to take care of his family.
Walter’s son Walter Jr.R. J. Mitte) has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects muscle coordination, speech, and motor skills. Since Mitte himself has cerebral palsy, this casting not only gives the character a genuine sincerity to accurately represent, but also helps actors with disabilities play characters with disabilities and provides greater exposure to the industry.
“Hawkeye” (2021)
Marvel’s move to television has allowed the Marvel Cinematic Universe to expand its reach, allowing for more diverse characters and stories to be told. Perhaps one of the characters in the Avengers who has received the least attention in the films is Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) finally got a chance to shine in a Disney+ series. Hawkeye.
Suffering from hearing loss due to being an Avenger for many years, Hawkeye now wears hearing aids to help with his daily life. His hearing loss is a major plot point in the series, showing his difficulty with communication. Hawkeye also introduced the second deaf MCU character Maya Lopez, played by a deaf actress. Alaqua Cox who will have their own series Echo in 2023.
‘RS. Marvel (2022)
The early stages of the MCU were mostly focused on the typical hero archetype - Iron Man, Captain America, Thor - all strong, middle-aged white people. However, since the franchise is built primarily on its fans, it’s important for fans to feel represented on screen through role models that represent their audience.
Ms. Marvel followed by Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), a 16-year-old Pakistani-American teenager obsessed with the Avengers. The show depicts Kamala growing up and struggling with her sense of belonging while balancing her family’s culture and religion. Imagining a young Muslim teenager as a superhero, Ms. Marvel redefines what is possible for women and POC in an industry defined by white men.
“Umbrella Academy” (2019-)
Netflix Umbrella Academy was a true adaptation Gerard Waycomic book series. Following the estranged siblings of Sir Reginald Hargreaves (Colm Feore), each of his adopted children form a team of superheroes, each with their own unique abilities.
Victor Hargreaves (ur.Elliot Page) were the most progressive arcs in the series; once initially believing he had no powers, only to discover that he has the strongest powers of all at the end of the first season. More poignantly, however, the showrunners wrote the exit narration in the third season to match Page’s own transition, with his character taking he/he pronouns and now becoming Victor. Umbrella Academy proves the ease of incorporating inclusiveness into the script by breaking the boundaries with authentic representation of transgender people.
“Adventure Time” (2013-2019)
Known for his complex ideas told through psychedelic narratives in poignant 15 minute episodes. Adventure Time was a long-running animated series on Cartoon Network. After the adventures of Finn the Man (Jeremy Shada) and Dog Jake (John DiMaggio) in the Country Ooo, Adventure Time it’s a magical odyssey filled with colorful landscapes and quirky characters. Two characters throughout the series are Marceline (Olivia Olson) and Princess Bubblegum (Hayden Walch) - hinted at a romantic relationship, which was only confirmed in the last episode.
LGBT+ representation on children’s television is rare, but thanks to shows like Adventure Time by paving the way, he allowed other media companies such as Disney, which historically had a turbulent history of homosexual performance resorting to stereotyping and queerbaiting, to take a positive step in the right direction with Owl House featuring Luz Noceda (Sarah Nicole Robles), who made history as the first openly bisexual Disney protagonist.
The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power (2022-)
An expansion of the mythical world created by J. R. R. Tolkien is Amazon Prime. The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power. The action takes place in the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before the events hobbit as well as Lord of the Rings, Rings of Power represents an ensemble of characters from all regions of Middle-earth.
As a genre that has historically favored an all-white cast, the Amazon series subverts this slanderous notion of the fantasy genre by casting actors of color as elves, dwarves, humans, and Harfoots. The series has pushed the boundaries of performance by challenging the conventions of the genre to open up the industry to inclusiveness. FROM Holly Bailey going to play Ariel in the upcoming Mermaid live-action movie, we can only hope that diverse casting for traditional roles can continue to positively impact on-screen performance in the future.
Source: Collider