Thomas the Tank Engine to introduce first autistic character
Thomas the Tank Engine will get its first autistic character in the latest move to diversify on-screen representation in the hit TV series.
Bruno the Brake Car, voiced by nine-year-old autistic actor Elliott Garcia from Reading in the UK, 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, said 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”.
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 worked with organisations including Autistic Self Advocacy Network and National Autistic Society UK (NAS UK), which helped cast Garcia in the role of Bruno, to bring the character 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.
Mattel – which has made steps in recent years to diversify the series byintroducing more female and ethnically diverse trains, such as Nia from Kenya, Ashima from India and China’s Yong Bao – accepted that Bruno may not resonate with
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