The Stage

Young deaf character to lead CBBC show

Published Tuesday 24 February 2009 at 17:15 by Matthew Hemley

CBBC has commissioned a new comedy drama called My Almost Famous Family, which will feature a young deaf performer in one of its leading roles.

The 12-part series, which is about a group of siblings that perform together as the house band of a fictional chat show, is being made by the BBC, and penned by a team of writers including Gail Renard and Emma Reeves.

Composer and performer Richie Webb, whose credits include the BBC Radio 4 series 15 Minute Musical, is working as the show’s musical director.

Actors for the series have yet to be announced, but a casting breakdown for the show reveals that one of its leading characters is deaf, with the BBC keen to employ a deaf performer.

The casting breakdown adds: “In the show, the character’s deafness will be treated very positively, and the way the family behave towards him or her will be little different to any other family member. The programme will also show that even profound deafness does not rule out an interest or talent in music.”

A spokeswoman for CBBC confirmed the children’s show is being made and said it forms part of a raft of new programmes set to be announced by CBBC over the next week.