The years of controversy over Apu look like they are finally coming to an end.
In a statement on Friday, the producers of the long-running animated comedy “The Simpsons” made a statement saying that “moving forward, The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters.” This would include characters like Dr. Julius M. Hibbert and Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
Hank Azaria, who voices Apu among others, said earlier this year that he was saying goodbye to playing that character: “What they’re going to do with the character is their call. It’s up to them and they haven’t sorted it out yet. All we’ve agreed on is I won’t do the voice anymore.… We all feel like it’s the right thing and good about it.”
The move follows in the wake of several other animated series doing the same thing with white actors bowing out of playing roles of non-white characters. Earlier today “Family Guy” star Mike Henry said he would step away from FOX’s “Family Guy” after having played Cleveland Brown on that series for years.
Other shows from “30 Rock” to “Scrubs” to “Little Britain” have pulled episodes featuring blackface from their streaming platforms as controversial depictions of race on TV and film come under the spotlight.
Source: The Wrap
