Press release
Mattel Introduces Bruno the Brake Car, First Autistic Character in Iconic Thomas & Friends Franchise
Voiced by an autistic actor, the newest character in Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go was developed in collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network,
About this update from Mattel, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"\nVoiced by an autistic actor, the newest character in Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go was developed in collaboration with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Easterseals Southern California, and respected writers and figures with autism\n\nClick HERE to download assets\n\n EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nMattel, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAT) announced today the introduction of Bruno, the first autistic character in the iconic Thomas & Friends franchise. Mattel Television developed Bruno in collaboration with respected organizations including the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN) and Easterseals Southern California, as well as writers and spokespeople with autism including Daniel Share-Strom and Aaron Likens. Voiced by Chuck Smith, an autistic actor, the new series regular will make his debut on the Season 26 premiere of Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go on Monday, September 12 at 8:30 am ET/PT on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and on September 17 at 8:50 am ET/PT on Treehouse and STACKTV in Canada.\nThis press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220907005293/en/Bruno will make his debut on the Season 26 premiere of Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go on Monday, September 12 at 8:30 am ET/PT on Cartoonito on Cartoon Network in the U.S. and on September 17 at 8:50 am ET/PT on Treehouse and STACKTV in Canada. (Graphic: Business Wire)\nBruno is a joyful, pun-making brake car. He is great at his job and keeps big, heavy cargo steady with his strong brakes—a vital role in Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go. Bruno rolls in reverse at the end of the train, which gives him a unique perspective on the world. Detail-oriented Bruno enjoys schedules, routine, and knows where all the tracks lead on Sodor. Bruno has stairs and a lantern on his bright, red exterior that indicate his emotional state, moving when he is excited or cautious. Bruno’s best day is one spent with his friends, who love and respect him for who he is, just as he loves them back. Through his on-screen presence, Bruno’s rich friendships and important work introduces audiences to a positive, neurodivergent role model. Together with key partners, Mattel carefully curated Bruno’s character to ensure an accurate fictional representation of an autistic child in the real world.\n\n“The most important aspect of B...