Representation of diverse people and experiences on screen needs to be a priority for all TV shows and movies, but it’s especially important for kids’ programmes.
Yesterday Thomas The Tank Engine announced that they’re adding five new strong female characters (trains, planes, conductors and what not) from all around the world. It’s a long overdue improvement to the show’s glorified testosterone-fest and it took the UN getting involved for the overhaul to happen. But at least it’s happening!
Meanwhile we can feel reassured that Play School has been dedicated to representing diversity on their programme for a long time.
The iconic Aussie kids’ show has a fantastic line-up of presenters and in 2016 they vowed to showcase diverse family structures and followed through with a segment featuring gay parents.
Now Play School have announced three additional recruits to their presenter line-up and it’s another step forward for representation on Aussie TV.
The new recruits include Hunter Page-Lochard, a 25-year-old Australian actor of both Aboriginal Australian and American descent with a passion for performing and painting.
Kiruna Stamell, a veteran Australian performer who has appeared in major productions like Moulin Rouge and performed as a tap dancer at the Sydney Olympics.
Stamell was born with a type of restricted growth (dwarfism) and explains this to her young audience on her ABC about page so that they can understand.
Kaeng Chan is Play School’s final new presenter and he’s an experienced actor with a history on kids’ shows.
People are all around extremely stoked with the fantastic additions to the Play School line-up and have responded to the Facebook video to express their excitement. We couldn’t agree more.
The three of them are each great new additions to the Play School team and signal that the show continues to be dedicated to showcasing both talent and a diverse representation of Australia, to Australia.
Other TV and movie producers should take note. Be more like Play School.