CBS ‘the Stand’ series faces boycott for playing auditory actor in deaf role

Members of the Hollywood deaf community boycott “The Stand” after an auditory actor is cast to play a deaf character in the CBS All Access limited series “The Stand”.

Thursday, December 17 – the premiere day of the series based on the Stephen King novel in 1978 – A declaration was posted on Twitter signed by 70 deaf professionals who protested the show’s lack of representation of the deaf after hearing that actor Henry Zaga had been cast to play the deaf-mute character Nick Andros.

Dubbed “We Stand Against the Booth,” the statement claims that “no professional Deaf actor has been called to audition for the role” and pledges not to “endorse, watch or support” the miniseries.

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Zaga discussed playing a disabled character with TheWrap last week, ahead of the statement released Thursday.

“All we can do is play the character as respectfully and as honorably as possible by doing all the homework we can, putting our hearts into it and really trying to figure out how this situation would really play out,” said Zaga at TheWrap.

“I went through a year of [learning American Sign Language] every day, for more than two hours a day, ”he added. “It’s hard work, but it’s also like you think it’s available in your heart, you know, to portray that character, you better do a good job with him.”

A person familiar with the situation said CBS All Access was meeting with the group that released the statement later today.

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The ‘We Stand Against the Stand’ statement also adds: ‘In an age of diversity and inclusion, this cycle of misrepresentation and unequal or nonexistent employment opportunities for deaf professionals in the industry. entertainment, both in front of and behind the camera, must end. This has been happening for decades; enough is enough!”

Among the signatories are actors Antoinette Abbamonte (“The New Normal”, “Curb Your Entusiasm”), James Caverly (“Chicago Med”, “A Bennett Song Holiday”) Dickie Hearts (“Tales of the City”, “Grace & Frankie “), Andrew Morrill (stage productions of” Waiting for Godot “,” Alice in Wonderland “), and director Jules Dameron (” Reverse Polarity “), and executive producer and television screenwriter Jade Bryan.

Deaf model, reality TV star and executive producer of “Deaf U” Nyle DiMarco spoke out against the show’s 2019 cast, Tweeter, “Nick Andros is DEAF in #TheStand and is played by aural actor @henryzaga. Hollywood prides itself on diversity to ensure representation and authenticity. BUT CONTINUES TO EXCLUDE people with disabilities.

As Black Deaf Filmmaker / TV Creator, Diversity & Inclusion Advocate, Interim Instructor and Creator / Owner of #DeaftalentCampaign ®️, I believe in change. It shouldn’t be that difficult to pick the right person for the role.#StandAgainstTheStand #TheStand #RepresentationMatter pic.twitter.com/WBpomfxpmz

– Jade Bryan – # DeafTalent® TV & HBIC Writer (@DeafShowRunner) December 17, 2020