Producers of Simpson to stop use of white actors to provide voice overs for characters of ethnic minority background

                   

The death of George Floyd in the hands of the police in the US have created momentum and may be attributed to the producers of the US animated comedy series Simpsons to announce that the will no longer use white actors for the voices of characters from other ethnic minority backgrounds. Fox Network, has faced years of criticism over white actor Hank Azaria's voiceover of Indian-American character Apu.

                

"Moving forward, The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters," the producers said in a short statement.

Earlier this year, Mr. Azaria said he would no longer be performing the voice of Indian convenience store owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, a role he had played since the character was created in 1990. Mr. Azaria also provides the voiceover of black police officer Lou and the Mexican-American Bumblebee Man. He said " it is very upsetting to me personally and professionally" that anyone felt marginalised because of Apu.

Other US actors have also announced not to provide voiceovers for people of colour characters.

             

Mr Henry has provided voiceovers for a black character Cleveland Brown in Family Guy for 20 years but he will no longer do so and he said a black person should do it. Likewise, Ms. Bell will no longer provide voiceovers for Molly a mixed-race girl character in US animated series Central Park