Producers from one of the world’s leading animated series, The Simpsons, are staying true to their word.
Recently, the star show hired Black actor, Alex Desert, as the new voice of Carl Carlson. Moreover, the shocking news comes after Hank Azaria’s exit from the show.
The Simpsons announced in June how they planned to avoid voicing white actors for black characters. And they’re definitely staying firm to their policy.
Meanwhile, the news came as a surprise for many as the show’s 32nd season kickstarted with a premiere. Actor Alex Desert is on board for voicing the show’s longest-running black characters Carl. Coincidently, he is one of Homer Simpson’s longest co-workers at the famous Springfield Plant.
Harry Shearer took the lead of voicing Carl from season 1’s episode called Homer’s Night Out. Soon, white actor Hank Azaria took over and continued to voice Carl.
Today, actor Alex Desert replaces Azaria in Season 32, which will debut around the world on September 27. However, the show hasn’t indicated whether or not Desert is a permanent member of the series. And that means he might voice several other characters over the show.
There is another Black character on the animated show, who makes an appearance this season. But since he doesn’t speak, it’s still a mystery as to who will voice the character. It could be Desert or it could be a new person altogether.
The Simpsons season 32 premiere is titled Undercover Burns. Moreover, it features the power plant owner who goes undercover, while at his plant. His name is Fred and the entire motive is to view what employees think about him. And this includes Carl too.
Recently, the Simpsons became a part of the many other hit animated shows where actors keep stepping down.point 216 |
This has to do with white actors refusing to voice characters of other colors.point 65 | Other examples of shows with a similar problem include Mike Henry from Family Guy and Alison Brie from BoJack Horseman.point 165 | Let’s not forget Kristen Bell from Central Park too.point 215 | 1
Whatever the case may be, it’s interesting to see how it all plays out in the end.